Cel,

It is good to know you are well after all this time. I know that you are more than capable of handling yourself, but I did worry.

Affairs here are good. New recruits are spirited. Perhaps a bit too spirited. They go by Nick, Cassandra, Yuffie, Serah and Iris. They are a lot. But they have good hearts. Something called an “artificial intelligence” shipped itself to the Rest. They claim to be an otherworldly AI that has found itself inside the server in a school in Sonora. It has asked to station itself in the Rest and peddle a “therapy” service to our members for a fee. After ensuring the terminal wasn’t armed, I have sent some of the more technologically gifted members from our Sonora unit to investigate the source before proceeding. I do not know your technological expertise, but your input on the matter would be greatly appreciated.

I would also like your input on adding additional staff to our administration. Tomoe is coming along well. Her partner Yuki has been helping her out as well, and it occurred to me that the two of us could better afford to travel with confidence that affairs on the homefront are secure if we invested in that area. Though doing so will likely come with the expense of needing to expand the Rest, for those who do not have a place to sleep. We can more than afford it, but we should discuss whether it is needed. Truthfully, I think this has been an inevitable expense since the Kraken incident drastically increased our visibility, and will end up being needed regardless of administrative staff decisions.

That post office ordeal is a problem, I agree. Fortunately, my time spent in Torensten has given me an opportunity to see its capabilities in ways I could not while traveling as often as I was. I chanced upon a crystal that allows for instant communication between bearers, similar to an invention that existed back home. Fueling itself on the magicks in the air, simply touching the crystal and projecting thoughts of another who bears one will establish a link through the crystals. This allows either a conversation in real time, or to send a message.

I have purchased and tested a set, and enclosed the second with this letter. Unfortunately, the price is a touch too high to make them standard issue at present. I used my own wages for these instead. Paying back for yours is unneeded, I do not want for much. I hope that crystal serves you well.

I had a feeling when I first saw that clinic that Yuna would burn the candle at both ends. It is unfortunate that she has gone this long without asking for help, but it is very much like her to do so. I agree we should help. I do not like the idea of cutting people loose, it feels almost dishonorable. But I will take it under consideration and consult the list you have provided. I do not think it will be enough to fund the clinic in the long term, however.

That leads to my next thought. I agree with your thoughts about Provo. I think we should establish a proper base of operations in Provo that can serve for those that live in the area and allow us to better operate there. Torensten is full of adventurers, but many otherworlders are put off by Torensten’s lack of “traditional” technology, while Sonora is- deplorable creepy barely inhabitable corrupt really cold Sonora. Making Provo a potentially untapped wellspring for recruits. If we were to establish there, extra funds from the Provo branch could be used to help the clinic, and you would have a better chance of finding magically gifted people willing to help. Both in the clinic, and in Provo’s defense on account of your presence there.

If you choose to do so, I think there is no one more capable in our organization of leading the efforts for Provo’s defense than you. You are a strong, resourceful and proven leader. While I would miss seeing you here, you are by far the best choice for pulling this off.

I also think Yuna may have potential as a leader down the line, but her clinic is her priority right now with its present struggles.

Of course, starting a base would be quite the expense. If not for our need to allocate funds to the clinic, I would say we have more than enough in our coffers to fund it safely. However, a recent coincidence may be our answer. Do you remember that old manor we received the deed to after defeating that monster lurking inside a few years ago? I recently received a letter from a gentleman that claims to be interested in old historical properties, and he has offered a very large sum of gil for the manor.

A sum is included in the letter.

I know we discussed using it as a base down the line, but truthfully the manor is too far from town, and repair costs would be more expensive than just building a new, smaller base in Provo. What he is offering is far more than what we would get from selling it elsewhere as well. I think our best bet is to sell the property to the collector, and use the funds to expand the clinic into a full base of operations for the Dragonblades in Provo, if Yuna gives her blessing. We would likely still have funds to spare from the transaction as well, and that could go either towards paying for boarding new mercenaries, or the clinic. If she wishes them separate we should still be able to afford a property nearby. But I think potentially having magic-using members on hand in the case of an emergency at the clinic would be good.

Personal Note: I have never had to consider expenses on this scale in my life. I do not know how you make it look so easy. Luckily Tomoe and Yuki were born here, and have an incredible understanding of Zephon’s economy. Their aid in projecting said financial margins has been indispensable.

I am aware of Sorel and his Stones, as well as the strange drunken rumor he has cast to the winds. I was once asked on the street if it is true that I am a “homewrecker.”

Claire had to explain what that word means.

I did nothing to offend him. Cassandra came to our door asking to join. She did not say what organization she came from, but indicated a friend of hers kept getting her into trouble. I found out only later she had a dog. King Noctis — the equivalent here that I mentioned is a decade younger — appears to be part of these Rising Stones and has promised to sort matters out with Sorel. If he can do so, I think an alliance is plausible for Provo’s sake.

Your story about Maria sounds almost unbelievable, but it is nice to finally know what that opera story was about. I will also be sure not to gamble against you in the future. Are you sure you do not have a sibling? I can tell you two apart from the overwhelming smell of her behemoth-killing perfume alone, but the resemblance is unsettling in its accuracy. I will inquire with her about Setzer and Jidoor as you requested.

On the subject of your Returners, there is another matter that merits your attention. A woman with green hair that goes by the name Terra claims to be a friend of yours. She wishes to join the Dragonblades and be reunited with you when you next return to Torensten. The kicker, though, is that she has apparently been in Zephon for around three to four years. She claims to have previously lost control of her “Esper” form, and hid from you in order to keep you from harm while she worked to control it. She claims it is now under control. Considering these circumstances, I did not think it neither fair to you, nor practically beneficial, to act without your input on the matter. If the letter’s arrival takes too long beyond fairness to Terra, I will ask her to accompany myself and Vordun to Provo and settle this in person.

After gathering more information, I would like to add persons "Sephiroth" and "Emet Selch" to our watch list. Enclosed with this letter are physical descriptions and data. I am preparing to eventually make my way out to Sonora, as much as I personally do not wish to do so. I promised aid to my former King, Noctis, with some trouble he is going through over there. And I have agreed to aid a woman named Garnet, whom claims to be a Queen from the same world as "Kuja", one of our watchlist targets. She claims to be looking for a lead on stopping Kuja, after he laid waste to her home. Data on Kuja has also been updated, with increased threat levels. I hope to do so once affairs have been settled enough for me to leave. I would like to hope that the trip will not be longer than a week, but there are no guarantees.

On the next page of this letter are accounts of a more personal nature instead of business. These are not a priority, but I thought it fair to keep you in the loop.

---

The statue finished. It creeps me out.

Following Sephiroth and Cloud's battle in Provo, I met the sisters Claire and Serah after saving the former from monsters attracted by the commotion. They are a unique pair, whom I have grown close with since they moved to Torensten. I had sought to protect them, but by the stories and seeing Serah help take down a Behemoth that grew too close to town, it is clear they do not need it. They have been through much, having been forced to serve a corrupt deity, travel through time, and live through several hundred years without the passage of time. The younger sister(?) Claire is stranger yet. She was at the center of these events, yet while she seems to have some recollection of them, the Claire that has been sent to this world is far younger than the one depicted in said stories. Not to mention the fact that there is a third "sister", Lumina, whom was apparently a part of Claire that was split away, was later reunited, and then somehow gained their own independence and body here in Zephon. The entire story is beyond strange, but I sense no deceit.

Claire however has taken a shine to me, and insists on setting me up on blind dates. Several of them. It has been very awkward. Attempting to say no has so far proved fruitless. Perhaps it is because she reminds me far too much of my younger sister. She is just as innocent and mischievous. It is difficult to explain, but since the evening we spent at the garden, memories that were once hazy or completely gone have begun to return. For one reason or another, the return of these memories has since made easing into life within Torensten more amiable.

I received a letter from the office of King Hremit. I was asked to "resign" as a mercenary in a sense. And join the King's honor guard. They were looking for candidates to one day succeed their military commander, and thought I would be suitable. I gave it a bit of thought, but while it was greatly flattering I decided that my place is here with the Dragonblades.

In closing, I hope this letter finds you well and in good health. It has been some time since you left, and while your company is missed, I know that you are going where your heart desires. It does not surprise me in the least that you have found yourself busier in work than before, but I hope that somewhere in there you have made time to find the happiness that you sought when you first left on this journey.

If ever you have need of me, I will be there with all speed.

Caius