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On the back of his most loyal companion, Jonas flees. Lazarus was defeated, all by the Lady he was determined to hunt down until the end. The wyvern rider rolls his eyes in annoyance at the thought. Single-minded to the end.
Jonas knows better than to think that Lazarus was slain, though. For all of his boasting and bragging about how he's the “Strongest Man in Yg’stra”, the man unfortunately has the power to back it up. Any who disagree were cut down to size by the mighty Arkhinal , which somehow made it into the general's hands. The legendary power that supposedly sleeps in the weapon only serves to bolster the general's strength, leaving even the most bold members of the army quaking in fear.
Jonas scowls. That same strength was the only thing keeping him and his precious pet Tsunade under the general's thumb. The two of them despised the man like no other, eagerly counting down the seconds until they could flee from his command. The thought was exhilarating. It was the only one that kept him quiet, giving him a chance to plan out his escape, and what he was going to tell Commander Valden once he catches him. All he needed was an opportunity.
Through perhaps the mercy of Opistus, his desires were soon answered. The Lady's army had somehow defeated Lazarus at his assault on the seas. Jonas couldn't catch much, being assigned further away with a few other wyvern riders, but Lazarus' annoyed yell was not so easily missed. Tsunade's head immediately snaps towards that direction, as Jonas himself does his best to stand up and follow her gaze. Not too far from where Lazarus once was were a pair of people quickly fleeing the scene. One mounted and the other not. The robes the non-mounted person wore immediately suggested that they were a mage of some sort. The Nightfall tome that Jonas could barely make out in their hands only confirms it. He quickly shifts his view onto the horse and its rider. There, sparkling in the light, is an Armorslayer in the cavalier's hands. Somehow, the two of them were able to take down the Yg’stran commander, despite Arkhinal and the ballistae around him. Jonas has never been happier.
Finally , Jonas thinks, a small smile spreading across his face, Something I've been waiting for.
With no sign of Lazarus on either of the ships - Jonas suspects that he went below deck to heal from what he hopes was an embarrassing loss - the wyvern rider gently pulls on Tsunade's reins. The wyvern immediately looks up at her rider, her eyes sparkling with glee. Jonas can't help but chuckle, reaching down to gently scratch under his precious pet's chin.
"...What a coward." Jonas murmurs, Tsunade immediately nodding once she hears his words. He slowly pulls his hand away from the wyvern's chin, and readies himself. "Well, if he's out, so are we. Let's go, Tsunade. If we're lucky, then Lazarus falls into the sea with the ship."
Tsunade nods once more. Her wings flap once, then twice, and wyvern and master flee the scene without a second thought. The tension in Jonas' body fades the farther that the two fly away from the two ships, the sounds of conflict soon replaced with nothing but the ocean's waves. The scent of metal and blood is gone, leaving behind only the smell of the salty ocean waves. Jonas didn't know how relieving this scent could be until now. He takes a deep breath to take it all in.
Tsunade turns her head around curiously, a silent question on her scaly face. Jonas chuckles, and reaches out to stroke her head once more. "Don’t worry about me, Tsunade." The words come out like a hum, his good mood bleeding into his words. "I'm happy. How about you?"
His beloved pet purrs happily in response, wiggling her body as much as she can in glee. With her master on her back she can do as much as she likes, but it's more than enough to show off her joy to Jonas. He coos, and continues to pet Tsunade, a grin spreading on his face. "Good! Glad to hear."
Tsunade wiggles for a little longer, before she continues to fly forwards. Jonas glances behind him. Neither of the two boats are in sight. All that he can see is the vast ocean behind, and all around him. It's a far more comforting sight than it should be. Lazarus is long behind them.
Their relatively peaceful flight is broken by Tsuande stopping in place. She rumbles quietly, her head focused on the sky in front of her. Jonas follows her gaze and quickly notices the dark clouds gathering ahead. It's going to rain soon. And hard, by the looks of it. The wyvern rider winces.
"...what do you want to do, Tsunade?" It's not like they had many options, really. They would either brave the rain, or they would have to fly back from where they came. Back to Lazarus, and the rest of the army that he had willingly deserted minutes prior. Jonas winces at the thought. He doesn't want to face Lazarus again, but he especially doesn't want to come across the good men and women that he had easily abandoned and see the looks on their faces.
Tsunade apparently feels the same, as she rumbles before pointing her paws forwards, right into the dark patch of clouds. Jonas barely holds back his sigh of relief. He gently strokes his beloved pet's head. "...I'm glad you agree, Tsunade. We'll… just be careful, alright? It's only a little bit of rain. How bad could it be?"
Once given her master's permission, Tsunade flaps her mighty wings, and flies forwards once again, albeit a little faster than before. Jonas settles himself into his saddle, making sure he's as secure as possible. Just in case. It's better to be safe.
Secured and ready, he gently pulls on Tsunade's reins. Knowing that her beloved master is safe, the wyvern immediately speeds up once more, determined to fly as quickly as possible. Jonas keeps his eyes on the sky above. With each wing flap, the dark clouds grow closer and closer. There's no chance of avoiding them now. It's far too late to turn back.
With that knowledge in mind, Jonas simply urges Tsunade forwards. The two of them fly deeper into the storm clouds, hoping to find themselves unscathed on the other side.