AEHU/Plot/Plot Sketch Chapter 24

"The Robbed That Smiles"

Beck gathers the party and devises a way of sealing Pengalaan's remains for the time being. He trains Schala, Grishe, Jaya, Derben, and Demeria in the use of seals corresponding to their own innate element, then deposits each one at the entrance to the location where a Pengalaan piece is stored.

Beck drops Schala off last, and during the flight Beck advises Schala to never become like Raqh. She believes her dream is an impossibility now; Beck observes that maybe it's been pushed back a hundred years, but that doesn't mean she'll never live to see Earthbound/Enlightened reconciliation. Schala doubts she'll live that long, but Beck says there's something he wants to let her in on once the present task is finished.

Nanashi dispatched by Seith await Schala and Beck at the entrance of the location Pengalaan's main body is to be sealed in. Apparently Seith has caught wind of Schala & co.'s actions and forced the gurus to disclose the locations of Pengalaan's components. After Schala takes out the Nanashi following them, they guess there's far more where that one came from and that the others are in extreme danger. Beck tells Schala that he can activate the Light seal they have on hand because he is also a Light innate, and when Schala says she can't pilot the Ganymede to access several of the locations, Beck reminds her that Derben has pilot credentials, and he passes Schala his skyship key. Before they part Schala tells Beck that she loves him, and Beck says he never really wanted her love; he thought he did at first, but what he truly wants is for her to be happy. Schala promises to find him again once this is all over.

Once Schala walks offscreen and Beck descends into the location, Melchior and Janus emerge, revealing that they followed Schala to the surface via the skyways after they learned of Seith's plans. They witness several Nanashi descend into the location after Beck, and Melchior realizes he'll die without help. Janus wants to go after Schala but Melchior forbids it, telling him to stay close. Melchior unsheathes the Masamune, which he recovered from Grishe earlier.

Schala rescues the others one by one, acquiring Ganymede transport once she saves Derben.

Interspersed with the dungeons are scenes of Melchior and Janus backing up Beck while he makes his way through the dungeon Pengalaan's main body is to be sealed in. Melchior offs several Nanashi with the Masamune before the three of them hole themselves up in the sealing chamber. While the Nanashi gradually break in, Beck completes the Light seal and speaks with Janus about his dream of becoming Schala's seneschal. Beck says it is a good dream to have, and that the only thing more beautiful than fulfilling one's own dream is to help someone else fulfill theirs. The Nanashi finally break in and injure Beck, bypassing Melchior and Janus because they're Guru and prince respectively. Janus has become adept at healing magic but the Nanashi keep him far away from Beck, and as Beck dies Janus learns the need for potent offensive spells.

Schala & co. see Nanashi dragging someone out of the Light seal location and load them onto the Blackbird. Schala & co. follow them to Zeal Palace, where Melchior and Janus are brought before a distraught Seith, who expected more success from the Nanashi. Queen Zeal forces her way out of house arrest and battles Seith for sending assassins after her own children; Seith calls for Dalton's support but Dalton, taking another risk, prevents intervention with the Lashers under his command and Queen Zeal kills Seith. With his dying breath, Seith professes that everything he did was for the family. Queen Zeal reappoints Dalton Seneschal for his support.

Schala learns of Beck's death from Melchior and Janus. She spends the night alone until Queen Zeal enters her room to comfort her. Queen Zeal tells Schala that she doesn't need men anyway; unable to produce life, men think of other things and make foolish decisions. Schala says that Beck was different, and Queen Zeal admits the truth of this. She calls in Valna, Aias, and Korrus, proclaiming that fortunately, Beck left Zeal a supreme gift.

The following morning Dalton's forces capture Anderu Po'hjol, who has been forced out of Algetty after being overthrown, and he is brought to Mt. Woe. When Dalton asks Po'hjol if he has any last words, Po'hjol says (a quote from Othello) "The robbed that smiles steals something from the thief." Content that he nearly achieved his dream of bringing Zeal to its knees, Po'hjol laughs until he is incinerated by Giga Gaia's hand blasters.