Just as the Doctor was preparing to demonstrate to those rough enforcement thugs how to properly and gently treat the workers, Jeanne and Alina found themselves trapped in a temporary stalemate, unable to leave.
"So, you're saying we have to stay put here?" Jeanne asked, looking at the monastics standing before her with a tone that lacked even a shred of politeness.
"Although we cannot confirm whether the so-called Tschäggättä actually exists," one of the monastics said, bowing respectfully, "it is a proven fact that someone tried to cause trouble at the Vine-Bear Court. We kindly ask you to remain here for the time being, purely for your own safety."
This particular monk was polite enough, showing none of the subtle hostility Jeanne had sensed from the crew yesterday. Besides, his logic was somewhat reasonable.
"We have business to attend to," Jeanne stated flatly, not bothering to mince words. "We'll give you until noon at most. Come afternoon, we're leaving on our own terms regardless of what you say, so save your concerns about our safety."
With that, Jeanne shut the heavy wooden door without another word, leaving a group of nervous monks outside, wiping cold sweat from their brows as they wondered if they had somehow offended her.
"I rarely see you so blunt," Alina said with a soft chuckle once the door was firmly shut. She walked over and gently patted Jeanne's back. "Living with you for all these years, I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen you pull a face like that."
"First off, I'm not angry," Jeanne replied calmly. She didn't pull away from Alina's touch, sitting down on a bench with a bored expression. "I was blunt because being polite with these people gets you nowhere. Putting a little pressure on them keeps them on their toes."
"I see," Alina murmured, narrowing one eye slightly. "Yesterday you were courteous, and they hardly showed any respect. But just now? They suddenly remembered their manners. It's almost comical."
"That's because, in their eyes, a Saintess might be important, but not that important. When I arrived, they stamped that impression onto me, thinking I'd be easy to control."
"Well, they certainly wouldn't dare try anything stupid now," Alina noted, before tilting her head thoughtfully. "Still, if we're stuck here all morning, do you think the Doctor will be alright on her end?"
"Don't worry about her," Jeanne answered after a brief moment of thought, her voice certain. "She's probably safer over there than we are here."
"That's good to hear," Alina smiled, letting out a small sigh. "This place is quite scenic, but ever since we arrived, one thing after another keeps popping up. There's hardly a moment to relax..."
The two spent the entire morning resting inside the Vine-Bear Court. No one came to disturb them, granting them a welcome stretch of peace and quiet.
When afternoon rolled around, Jeanne stepped outside, only to find the central grounds strangely deserted. Over half the monastics and attendants were missing, leaving the expansive courtyard hollow and quiet.
"What's going on?" Jeanne leaned in closer to Alina's ear, whispering with an unmistakable look of mischief on her face. "Did some monster show up and everyone forgot about us, running for their lives first?"
It was obvious that Jeanne's opinion of the Vine-Bear Court's leadership had hit rock bottom; she didn't even bother masking her skepticism anymore.
"Keep your voice down," Alina chided, giving Jeanne a gentle tap on the forehead. Hearing the hollow knock, she shook her head fondly. "Saying things like that in a place like this is a good way to get beaten up."
"I heard another set of those strange tracks was found this morning," Enya's calm voice drifted over from behind them. She walked up with a polite, if weary, smile, offering a faint apology. "I must apologize for not attending to you both this morning. Things here became rather chaotic."
"More footprints of those Tschäggättä?" Jeanne feigned surprise. "Is this creature a rare legendary beast or just a local tourist attraction at this point?"
Jeanne found it hard to believe they were active during broad daylight. Even if eight out of ten locals believed the Tschäggättä was real, Jeanne was convinced it was merely someone wearing a costume, weaponizing the old folk legend to stir up chaos.
"I cannot say for certain," Enya replied with a helpless shake of her head. "No one alive today has ever seen such a creature before. But rest assured, the grounds inside the Vine-Bear Court remain perfectly safe..."
BOOM—!
Before the words could fully leave her lips, a sudden explosion rocked the building behind them. Raging flames burst through the wooden beams, swallowing most of the structure in a roaring sea of fire within seconds.
"What happened?! How did a fire start?!" Panic broke out among the remaining attendants.
Every structure here was crafted from ancient timber! A fire in one corridor meant the entire complex could be reduced to ashes if it spiraled out of control.
"Fire... why is there a fire?!" Enya gasped, her face draining of color. "Oh no—the Sacred Stone is still inside!"
Without a second thought, Enya sprinted straight toward the blazing inferno, desperate to salvage the sacred artifact.
"Hey! Don't go running in there!" Jeanne shouted, reaching out to grab her, but Enya was already too fast, disappearing straight into the thick smoke.
"What a reckless headstrong fool..." Jeanne muttered, unfastening her heavy coat and tossing it to her companion. "Alina, head to an open spot outside. I'll drag her out!"
"Jeanne, wait!" Alina called out, but Jeanne had already ducked into the roaring wall of fire. "Please, watch out for yourself!"
Standing alone in the courtyard, Alina took a steadying breath, then turned toward the panicked attendants, taking charge to direct the crowd and salvage what they could from the perimeter.
"Honestly, why am I rushing into a burning building?" Jeanne complained aloud as she moved through the collapsing corridors. The blistering heat couldn't hurt her superhuman frame, but the choking smoke made her exceedingly annoyed. "Where did Enya run off to? She mentioned the Sacred Stone... so she must be in the main hall trying to lift that giant rock."
Jeanne pushed forward in a straight line, smashing through falling embers and burning beams with ease. Nothing in her path could slow her stride.
Just as she expected, upon reaching the inner sanctum where the massive stone was housed, she spotted the snow leopard standing in front of the artifact, looking completely helpless and panicked.
"What are you still doing here? Move!" Jeanne barked as she closed the distance. Sparks rained down around them; another minute and the exit would be entirely blocked.
"Losing other things is manageable, but I have to get this out!" Enya pleaded, her hands pressed against the massive boulder as she tried in vain to budge it. "This stone is vital to our people!"
"Save your breath! Keep this up and both you and this rock are going to be baked crisp!" Jeanne grumbled.
Stepping past Enya, Jeanne planted her boots, grabbed the heavy Sacred Stone with both hands, and heaved with her full strength.
"Up you go!"
With a sharp yell, Jeanne hurled the massive stone straight through the burning wall toward the outer courtyard. Enya watched in stunned disbelief, terrified for a moment that Jeanne had completely exhausted her strength on the throw.
"Alright, the thing you wanted to save is out. Now move!" Ignoring Enya's bewildered expression, Jeanne grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her back toward the exit.
As they neared the doorway, Jeanne caught a sudden glimpse of something through the wall of flames—a dark figure standing motionless amid the roaring fire, completely unfazed by the heat.
"What's wrong?" Enya asked, noticing Jeanne's sudden halt.
"Go on ahead," Jeanne said, her voice dropping as she turned back to face the flames. "I'm going to see what that was."
Before Enya could object, Jeanne turned back toward the inferno, tracking the shadow she had just spotted.
"Are you going to step out or what?" Jeanne called out into the quiet room, surrounded by collapsing rafters. "There's no one left here except me. Show yourself—let's see what the legendary Tschäggättä actually looks like."
She stood her ground, watching the fire circle around her, waiting calmly for the local myth to reveal itself.
Sure enough, half a minute later, several monstrous figures emerged from the smoke. Their eyes glowed with an eerie, icy blue light as they raised their weapons, surrounding Jeanne in a silent, predatory ring.