Preface

When one was writing the story, one'd just finished The Situation and the Story by Vivian Gornick, so one aspires to write the story in a more different way than one used to write in the past on XC3 and XC Future Redeemed. That's including some personal feelings the characters feel, by making it look more like a memoir. Sure, it perhaps worked, but one don't know; even if that's putting oneself in the shoes of the characters, it's perhaps not exactly how the character feels, and all one could do is making the best guess. One had the doubt of whether to do that or not. Would it reveal something too open that one should write more secretively for the reader to guess themselves? Or perhaps, should the reader be left to their own device in interpreting the feelings of the characters?

When we reached the end of Chapter 6, we were by that time started to read A Swim in the Pond in the Rain by George Saunders. Initially, one read the book for another purpose: to write a book on one's own memoir; but when one realized the book is on fiction story, one assumed prematurely that most won't apply, but one don't know yet. As of writing this paragraph, one'd just finished the 2nd story, "The Singers", and hadn't even read author's Afterthought yet. But what he wrote at the end of the "Thoughts on 'The Singers'" changed one's mind yet again on how one should write this story. So perhaps, on the part that's most stressful, if you read on, you'll find one offers an extensive description to the actions and the description, in addition to the limited pictures of the scenery one added, of what the characters offered. Sure, with limited vocabulary from one's side, one could only offer an estimate of how they did. Some of it one even had to translate from Chinese (because one could explain them in such language but not in others), and the translation might not be accurate, but nonetheless, one tried as best as one could. That's when one said, one'll let the reader interpret what the character feel for themselves. Yet, even at this point, one isn't sure if one wants to abandon the previous notion of how one write the story up until now, so perhaps one'll still retain some, or quite a lot, of the method of writing the characters from a first person perspective in the rest of the story; but when things gets rough, and when one can't really put one's shoes in the character, you, reader, will be the ones that'll determine how they would feel, or how they should feel, in your mind. One'll leave it to you.

Ways to Read

If you see- words- in- dash-, it means there are a short pause in between words. If you see... dots..., it means a long pause in between speech. If you see bold characters, it means shouting out. BOLD AND CAPITALS means shouting to the largest amplitude your throat can take you. Italics means soft, unless otherwise specified, which means dreams/recalling from the memory.

Things in quotes like this are either long memories that can't be compressed in a single italics, or if otherwise stated, some note one added.

The others should be clear per se.

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The Boy

A world with infinite fluffy clouds spanning its entire surface, floating above an infinite pool of water stretching to uncertain depths. A boy in a metallic armor-like diving suit, with headlights guiding his way in this forever-pitch-dark ocean, shot an anchor at the floor, tugging him along to a sunken giant bark. A metallic box placed atop it was his target. He attached a magnetic mechanism to the box, to which, like hot-air balloon, air filled the leather ballast, floating the crate with it. He hitch a ride, floating towards an anchor. Soon, he would attach the crate to the anchor, climbed above a circular ring with metallic grate attached to the anchor, scanned the surrounding, switched off his headlight, before pressing the button to pull them up.

At full height, the anchor swung around and dropped the crate and him on a floating island of greenish muscular surface. He jumped down and took off his helmet. "Haaa!" This a boy of slightly brown skin, around age 12 with short black hair. He detached the anchor while complaining, "We really do need to buy ourselves a new depth probe... The ping was off by 150 peds to the east. That's not gonna fly!"

On the little 'island' were also some potted plants, some line to hang clothes, a small cabin, and some barrels, plus other small objects.

"And what about the treasure, Rex? Was it in line with your expectations?"

Rex found a metallic bar, the head a curved thongs, useful to unbar the crate, while answering, "It seemed pretty solid. Didn't even have to reinforce it too much. Even with the labor costs, we should be able to turn a decent profit." Now where's the weak point?

"Honestly, it takes you two days to run the structural analysis... Yet somehow you can gauge the profits in an instant?" The 'island' itself was speaking, flung its head to look at Rex on its back. Green fluffy feathers grew along its neck, a stony-like head with purple-ish plates, and a horn.

"Don't go rainin' on my parade, Gramps. You know I'm in the salvaging trade- for- the- cash!" He stuck the thongs into the crevices, tugged it along, speaking with difficulty while exerting forces, "A little business sense... goes a long way, all... right?"

There finally it budged. "Whoa!" Water sprayed out of the box and knocked him backwards. Alas, his treasure sense did indeed brought back a treasure monster -- a blue lobster that doesn't look at all friendly. "I didn't expect THAT! You been living in this thing, big guy?"

For someone whom was woken up from its beautiful dreams, it showed no mercy to its new enemy.

"Rex!"

"No worries, Gramps!" The monster was dumbstruck for a moment{{footnote: Because the director wanted it to.}}, ran into his cabin and fetched his sword before facing down the monster, commenting, "I think we know what's for lunch!"

Rex narrated, "An entire horizon of white. A sea of clouds, and at its heart, the World Tree, piercing the heavens... This... This is the world we call home... Alrest." And the lobster's claw now above a stove, roasting.

"Story goes that when the world was young... Everyone in Alrest lived on the Tree, together with our divine father, the Architect. According to the tales, it was a bountiful land. And the people there held the power to command even the heavens themselves. They called that paradise... 'Elysium'. But then, one day... we were cast out. Nobody knows why. Perhaps we angered our creator, or perhaps it was something else entirely..."

While waiting for it to cook, he searched the crate for anything profitable. Those unwanted rubbish were lowered down with the crate back into the ocean. {{footnote: 落叶归根}} He dumped the materials in the bin, and opened up the cabin roof for the warming sun to shine in.

"All we know is we were forced to leave Elysium to live here, in Alrest. Where it turns out, life was pretty hard. But when it seemed like we would surely die out, the Architect... took pity on us... sending his servants, the Titans, to save us. The few of us who survived... settled on the Titans... and, we've lived in harmony with them ever since. But now, those Titans... are beginning to die out."

He sat down on the crusty red-hot roasted lobster pincher, ready to eat.

"Aarrrrggghhhh... The brazier does my weary old bones much good..."{{footnote: Imagine putting some heat over some part of your body to warm it up. How does that feel? Or going to a sauna?}}

"You want me to move it, Gramps?"

"No, that's quite all right. Leave it right there... aaaaahhhhhh..."

"Righto."

They were enjoying when they heard a whale-song-like tone echoing from the distance. Alarms beeped within his forehead; in awe, he stood up and went and look at the direction. A Titan whale leaped above the cloud sea, its body disintegrating. The light-blue crystal on its chest that gave its life shone bright for the final time{{footnote: 回光返照}}, before dying out. The stony Titan crashed into the ocean, sunk down into seabed, its existence no more. Wave shook Gramps, Rex held on tight. But nothing felt more sad at the moment than to see a Titan fall{{footnote: 陨落}} before their eyes. Even his tone died down. "Not another one... Been happenin' a lot lately..."

"Mm... More so than before."

"I wonder... if anyone was living there."

"I-it seems not. And if there had been, they would have all left by now."

"Makes sense." But no, that does not provide relief. Where are they to live at this rate? "Hey, Gramps, d'you think... Fonsett Village will be gone too one day?"

"It would not be today, or tomorrow, but one day, yes, it will fall..."

"And you too?"

"That's how it goes with us Titans... There's- no- way- around it."

"Eventually... there'll be nowhere left to live."

"Sadly..."

And their hope? The single bark with its root deep underwater, the bark stretched high atop the sky, a giant umbrella at the very top with very little branches just below, and none further down. "So... You Titans were born up there, is that right?"

"So they say, for what it's worth." He swung his head around, looked at the tree, and added, "Mind you, I was born here, on Alrest. As for my ancestors, who could say, where they were born..."

"Can it really exist? This Elysium? And the creator, who's said to live there..." He needed confirmation, but no one could give him such. Though he can hope for.

"A land of plenty, atop the World Tree... If such a place did exist, perhaps we could all live in peace... with no need for fighting."

"Sure would be great." Except it's too far away. "For everyone... even folks in Fonsett. If the divine Architect can see us now, I wonder what he thinks..."

Whatever worries for the greater all you have, they could do nothing to prevent Titans from dying. Some stretches and slaps on both side of one's face wakes one up to the present moment. "All right! Back to making money!" He checked the dustbin, suggested, "I think this haul should be enough for today. Oi, Gramps! Care for a little swim to the Argentum Trade Guild?"

"You're planning on selling it now? Urgh... It's getting toward my bedtime..."

"Don't play the lazy old man with me. There's plenty of sunshine left!"

"Kids these days... No respect, I swear..."

Translator's note on environment: Bazaar lined the sides of the rights of way inside a giant hall. People were walking, looking, trading; merchants were usually Nopons. The decorative lights lured customers to visit their stores. The guild is a ship strapped to a giant floating puffer-fish-like Titan, with smaller size puffer fish also strapped below it as extra force. This, is Argentum Trade Guild.

"Why, if it isn't Rex! How's business?" He had Gramps docked at one of the ports, unboarded himself.

"Going all right, else I wouldn't be here."

"Fair point. So, which one am I unloading?"

"We can leave that until I'm done negotiating. Shouldn't be too long!"

"Well, mooring is 15 gold per half-day."

"I'll have your gold after I sell the stuff, all right? Later!" And he's gone afar.

"Hey, hold on! You know I can't do credit... Urgh, He does it every time, too..." Then, he turned to look at Gramps. Big eyes looking at small eyes.

"No wallet, I'm afraid..."

"Figures..." he scratched his head. He can only wait.

Meanwhile, before Rex entered the guild hall, one of the ship parked at the port caught his eyes. A metallic battleship. "Awesome... This thing's huge, and it's not even a Titan ship!"

At one of the stores, Rex was speaking to the Nopon behind the desk. "WHAT, THAT'S IT?!!!"

"Is life, meh! This still more than I give to non-friend! If you bring military supplies, then you get good price! Ceasefire between Mor Ardain and Uraya not keep for too much longer, methinks. So weaponry is hot item!" Soldiers were shopping at other bazaars for supplies. "Well? What friend think? I make it worth your while!"

"I told you before, I stay away from that sorta thing."

"Ohhhh, is shame! Rex good salvager, could be good way to earn pretty penny! Waste of talent, if you ask me! Anyhow, where were we?"

"I'll take your offer. 200 now, and you know what to do with the rest."

"Okie doodles! Sending monies to, Corinne of Fonsett Village. Is right?"

"Yeah."

"Is beautiful thing! Sending money home at such young age. I touched! Wish my own dum-dum littlepon did same!"

"It's 'cos Gramps doesn't charge rent, hehe. All right, I'm countin' on ya!"

"Roger! Pleasure doing business!" He already walked away.

Two human-like bodyguards of a Nopon walked down the stairs and called out, "Hello, Rex!"

"Pupunin! Been a while!"

"Rex looking high spirits! Ah, no, how say... Yes, peppy!"

"Been worse! So, you got something for me? New job maybe?"

He nodded, "Mmm something like that. Ah, by the way... Rex come from Fonsett Village in Leftherian Archipelago, yes?"

"Yeah, that's right. Why d'you ask?"

"Y-you should go straight to boardroom of Chairman!"

"Wait, what's going on?"

"Chairman Bana, ask for Rex, by name!"

"The Chairman? For me?!"

Bana can't help but wore every luxury goods on every fingers and eyes and neck and head he could have. The hat makes him looks like a pirate, though. The Green Nopon, upon Rex entering, spoke with strong tone, "Thank you, for accepting summons! I, Bana, Chairman of Argentum Trade Guild."

"P-pleased to make your acquaintances..." He looked to his right, found a beautiful girl that looked at him with her nostrils. To his left, another one, but less showing her 'higher-up' status.

"Me hear from Pupunin that friend is salvager of some, renown. That being case, I have, teensy weensy thing, to ask of Rex!"

"A request straight from the Chairman?!" His own excitement and tendency to kiss the higher-ups washed over his brain, filtering out any weirdness and unfittings{{footnote: i.e. Something's not right here, but one don't know what.}} in the atmosphere.

"Reward is, 100,000 gold."

"A hundred thousand?!"

"Friend hear right! Actually, that, just the advance. Another 100,000 provided upon completing job."

"200,000 gold in total? I-I must be dreaming... I'll do it. I hereby swear to use every skill I possess to ensure this job is successful! I promise I won't let you down! Hahahahah!" The measly 200 he earned, exclusive of the others sent back to the village, is nothing compared to this value. Every cell in his body wagered with excitement, holding a celebration party.

"You agree, without even hearing details of job?"

"Oh, oh, right... Um... What kind of job is it?"

"You really have skills for this?"

"Of course, I'll be fine!"

"Meh, if you say. Here, crew will explain the task. Bring them in." Not that he could find that many willing people fast!

"Sir." The high-nostril woman turned around and opened the door behind her. She walked out for a while before leading them back in. First came a cat-eared girl around his age wearing orange sweaters with fair skin and some drawings on her face like those painted on ancient tribes. Beside her, her companion, a white tiger, followed her into the room.

Behind her was a strict-looking guy wearing black armor with black short hair gelled up; his thick eyebrows doesn't make him look like a nice guy.

The final guy with neck-long white hair, wearing a half-mask that covered only till his nose, with a katana attached to his back.

In shocking eyes, he exclaimed, "Drivers...? And... Blades?! Whoa! They look so cool!"

"So... There's something that we want to haul up." The white-haired guy got straight to the point. "There were some current shifts. It showed up in an uncharted area. But it's a looong way down."

"Nice... I like a good challenge!" He was strict, but Rex kept his optimism despite the lack of reverberations from the others.

"Bana offered to assemble team of veterans for this job. But this crew veeery picky. They want small elite team and only from Leftheria. That when Bana have stroke of genius! Should hire Reeeeexxxx!!!"

"Hah ha! You made the right choice!"

"Thhh... Um hmmm..." The girl couldn't help but laughed at his 'idiocy'. "A child salvager? Jin, don't tell me we're gonna have to hire some babysitters for this outing too."

"What the hell? You look as much like a kid as I do, lady!" Already he pointed his fingers back to her unpleasant commands.

"At least I wouldn't wet myself at the promise of a measly hundred grand!"

"What're you tryin' to say?!" He walked forward as if about to pick a fight. Her tiger got between them, and out of fear he took steps backwards. How anger clouded one in forgetfulness that she's a driver.

"Ahem... Rex, was it?" asked the tiger. "I implore you to excuse, my lady's discourtesy." It, he, bowed his head to Rex.

"Dromarch! What have I told you about speaking for me? Shut your..."

"Drop it, Nia." The black-haired guy cut her off, impatient spoke, "Though I do see your point. In any case... It should be easy enough to make sure..."

"What?!" And his body grew larger in front of Rex as swords were slashing at him. Reaching the edge of Bana's table, he drew his sword and blocked the guy's; but his full force only equaled his simple one-handed press. "Ugh!" That broke his defense, but it's enough to prove his skill. "What're you playing at?!"

"Well well well..."

Nia was shocked as well, "Malos! What good is it beating up a kid?"

"You said it yourself, didn't you? What if the kid's not up to it?"

"I said nothing of the sort!"

"You did think it though, right? And anyway, now we know. You'll do right enough. Though you don't look like a Driver..." He was still holding his defense, even when Malos already sheathed his weapon. "Where'd you learn those Arts?"

"Gramps showed me a thing or two. Even when I was little, that was his idea of playtime."

Not that he cared. "Well, you've got some skill, I'll give you that. Guts, too. Kid, you better work hard." He and Jin then left the room. One of the blades that looked like a monster with tails followed behind.

"Hugh..." Whatever, she don't even look at him, walked out after them. Dromarch gave a bow before dragging along.

Bana had headache, "Meh-meh-MEH! Friends are such rowdy bunch!" From his pocket, he tugged out a big sack of gold, bang it on the table. "Here is advance. Use to buy what gear you need, then go to dock, on starboard! Bana has arranged, excellent vessel for you there."

"You got it." All the excitement from such money had drowned with such dangerous a party. If he had not learned, his would have leave the room with his body dragging a line of blood behind, dumped into the infinite cloud sea below, and became feast to some passing Titans. Not that he would leave right now that he accepted. He needed the money anyways.

Footnotes:

The Quest

"...and that about covers it. Alllll right, I'll see ya later! Should be back in a day or two. Take it easy, Gramps!"

"That does not 'about cover it' in the slightest! Why would you take a job you know nothing about? You don't even know who your employer is!"

"This came straight from the Chairman, remember? What more do you need?" But how trustable is the chairman, whose aim all day long is for profit? "Anyway, I'm off. You can take a nap while you wait!" And he ran off.

"H-hey! Come back here, will you?! Rex!"

"Wheeling out the Maelstrom for this? Bana sure has deep pockets..."

Nia and the others just arrived, she started quarrelling with him yet again, "Gawking at a boat? What are you, twelve? Wait, maybe you are twelve."

"What's my age got to do with anything? I can tell an awesome feat of engineering when I see one!"

"You don't close your mouth soon, you're gonna swallow a fly."

"What's her problem? We're nearly the same age. Also, you might wanna watch where you stand, otherwise when we cast off..." The rope to anchor the boat wrapped a circle around, and she stood within the circumference, "that rope'll take your leg off."

"Uhhh!!!" She jumped off, as if it was a giant beast.

"Gotcha!"

"Why you little!"

"Now look whose mouth's hanging open."

Malos, Jin, and the blade had no time for such kids play.

Then, someone bald wearing salvager suit that looked like a 'standard' bodyguard approached, "Rex, we're heading out. There's no one seeing you off, right? You got night watch. Till then, rest up inside."

"Aye aye. Later!" And she leave the girl arguing by herself.

"Hmph!"

The ship, attached to a small balloon puffer-fish-like titan on strings, leave the port for its destination. As it took off, the boat leave contact with the cloud sea below, soared along the skies.

Translator's note on environment: The ship had ladders up the top rung for lookout. A door at the deck leads to the cabin. The exterior had nothing too fancy about, neither do the interior; built for survival. Though, water leaking from the top doesn't make it look too sturdy. This is C.S.E.V. Maelstrom.{{footnote: Not sure what C.S.E.V. stands for, though.}}

Rex was at the top rung for night watch. The platform was not too small, perhaps 1 meter by 1 meter. A lantern was attached to one side of the fence. He looked through a binocular. Scanned right, until he saw one object in the distance.

"That's the black ship from the harbor. Is it... following us?" But before he could analyze the situation deeper, someone called out from behind,

"Ugh, it's waaaaay too cold up here." He turned around and found Nia. Her tiger wasn't seen anywhere near her.

"You!"

"I'll have you know I've got a name. It's Nia. They've started boozin' below decks. You should join 'em."

"Why aren't you there?"

She turned her back towards him, "It's not that I hate it, I just... really don't need a headache right now."

"Huh! Good thing you're not a salvager, then."

She took a step towards him, "Why's that?"

"Swim like a fish, and drink like one too. That's the Salvager's Code."

"Ugh, sounds terrible. I don't think I'll be changing careers..."

"Hmm... Probably for the best. Anyway, I bet you Drivers earn a hell of a lot more than salvagers do!"

"So kid..."

"My name's Rex."

"Hmph, OK, Rex. Why did you start salvaging in the first place?"{{footnote: It's wonderful, how conversations could start with mocking but recede into something deeper beneath the surface.}}

"That there." A spiral of circles glowing bright green in the night, like nebula clouds spiraling around its center.

"The... World Tree? I don't get it."

"You know, you find all sorts of things digging through salvage... Some of it trash, some of it treasure... but all of it from people long gone. Have you noticed how there's fewer Titans each day? I saw one go under just the other day. It was a pretty big one. There must have been loads of animals still living on it... Living space is running out... day by day. Sooner or later, we'll be the ones sinking down into the Cloud Sea. But up there, Elysium is waiting for us."

"Pff Bwahahahahahahha!!! Seriously kid? 'Elysium'? Don't tell me you believe that guff! So that's, uh... why you're a salvager? It's just a lie for children, and that there is just an overgrown shrub!"

"IF there's a way to get up there, maybe it's hidden below the clouds. Is it really that crazy?"

"Seriously though..."

"There'd be no need to fight over dwindling land and resources... No need to worry about our homes sinking away... Everyone could have peace and security. I mean, a dream like that... isn't that worth believing in?"

"Nobody can tell you what to believe, but... Ahem... 'Everyone', huh...?"

"What?"

"I always thought, people were pretty selfish by nature. But you..."

"Huh?"

"D'you have parents?"

"Nope. When I ask Gramps, he told me they died when I was just a kid."

"'Gramps'... Oh, the same one who taught you to use Arts?" she recalled.

"Yeah! He basically raised me himself. He's not like us, though."

"N-not like?..." She walked to the edge of the fence, where Rex were already looking out at the sea. He turned to look at her, and she continued, "I'm not sure I catch your drift, but this Gramps of yours sounds all right."

"Huh..."

"And you're all right too, kid." No objections on not using names. She added, "Not that different from me."

Thunder and storms raging hard in this region. Braving the location was shaky. Some crew member called out, "We are in position. All personnel, report to stations."

That woke Rex from his nap. He continued to listen.

"Salvage team, suit up, and proceed to hatch."

He took his helmet and found the bodyguard crew member giving him (and his fellow other salvagers, including Nopon salvagers, all dressed up) instructions, "Your target is located, inside a shipwreck 450 peds straight down. Searching the wreck while submerged is too high-risk for our tastes, so... we'll be using flotation devices and cranes to lift the hull first. Next, you'll split into teams, and explore the interior. Once the target is found, retrieval can commence. If that's clear, let's begin with attaching the floats. Get- into position!"

Up there, Nia shouted while the salvagers were leaving for their jobs, "We're paying you lowlifes a lot, so don't screw it up!"

Rex complaint lowly, "You smug so-and-so..."

The ship opened itself up, allowing them to exit and reached for a metallic netted platform attached to the anchor that could be lowered down.

"And submerge." The bodyguard whom followed behind them gave instruction. One by one, they jumped off into the dark waters below.

So dark even two headlights cannot sufficiently illuminate their vicinity. But his eyes were trained from years of salvaging. "Is that it?" He got closer to take a look at it, commented, "It looks pretty ancient... Is that the... propulsion mechanism? I've never seen one that shape before... Which country made this?"{{footnote: While he could see the dark in the dark, we couldn't. Just like camera taking photo in dark room is pitch black, your iris, however, would see not pitch black, but dilating your pupils to allow more light in, you can see the shapes with whatever little light reflection it can get. Only in totally dark room without any light do your eyes failed to make out the shapes and sizes of objects.}}

He worked his way attaching the magnetic balloons, together with other salvagers, before swimming back up. Huge balloons were pumped up underwater, bringing the whole ship up with it. The storms continued raging as the sunken ship float to the surface.

Nia gaped, "Whoa, that's massive!"

Malos noted, "The appearance matches our reports... But it's what inside that matters."

The bodyguard gave instruction in the background. "Object is secure. Proceed to second phase." The three turned around for that.

Rex waited for Nia and the others to approach him. She praised, "Excellent work! You're not half bad, you know that?"

"I do this for a living, remember?"

"All teams, Proceed. Inside. When ready!" That's the bodyguard giving instruction again.

Malos: "Right then, let's get moving."

As they walked, Jin turned around, instructed Rex, "You with us."

"Me?"

Nia was surprised, "You're gonna drag the kid along? Seriously?!"

Malos tried to let her guards down, not to think too much yet, "Guess he thinks you need all the help you can get."

"Oi!!"

"Gahahaha!!"

"Omph!" She could only jump feet at his rudeness. The only person left suffered, "Well? Don't just stand there! You've got your orders, haven't you?" Leaving without a word.

Translator note on environment: The whole ship is tarred black; and it camouflaged into the thunderstorm atmosphere. Nothing could be seen from such surface therefore. This, is the Ancient Ship.

As they were walking toward the entrance into the cabin underneath, something was punching on the door. They stopped to prepare for eventualities. A creature came crawling out after smashing the door open.

"Whoa!"

Nia: "Let me show you what a Driver can do!"

The monster disappeared and left no trace after being killed. "Amazing!"

"So that's how Drivers and Blades fight..." another salvagers exclaimed.

"So ruthless... It's like they're monsters themselves." commented the 3rd salvager. Nia eyed on them, and they walked away, presumably back to their job.

Rex then commented, "Nice! I'm sure glad these Drivers are on our side! You too, Dromarch!" Dromarch acknowledged.

Nia brushed it off, "No need to get hysterical, it was a walk in the park..."

"Yeah, but still..."

Malos and Jin had already walked in front, the former shouted back at them, "That's enough yapping, you pair of brats. Let's MOVE!!!"

Nia: "Tch... Talk about self-important."

"Gramps always taught me to respect my elders..."

"Elders...?"

Both: "BWAAHAHHAHAHAH!!!" Dromarch had to rub off their saliva splatting on his face.

Nobody noticed that Pupunin had also sneaked behind, aboard the ancient ship, hiding behind some crates. The dark sure helped his concealment.

Back in the Argentum Trade Guild, Bana was watching through Pupunin's point of view the live situation on the ship on a mirror that displays, commented, "They make short work of monster. These no ordinary fighters. Big job in Mor Ardain going well too... There much money to be made from these people! Ohohahahahahahahah!!!"

The interior of the ship wasn't barren; there was an alligator-like salamander with sharp razor teeth and two-legged blocking their way.

Malos: "Not planning on letting us past, huh? Sounds like a challenge."

Bringing it down, Malos called, "Jin, check this out. There it is. Addam's crest." It's ensigned on the door, sealing it.

Rex was curious, "'Addam's... crest'? What does that mean?"

Jin had no obligation to answer, instructed, "You. Open this door."

"Me?"

"This door, will only open to one of you people."

"One of me? What're you talking about?"

Malos was impatient: "HURRY UP AND DO IT! We're not paying you to ask dumb questions!"

"What the hell? You can't treat hired hands like that..." But anyways, he turned around and walked towards the door. Looking at it, he scratched his head and asked himself, "Now, how do we open this thing?" He tried to search for any holes for keys, or weak points which he could break it open. No avail. Looking back at the crest, "Oh, hey..." He tried touching it. Blue light shone and it opened itself. "So that was a release toggle..."

White fog shrouded their vision. Rex tried walking in first. Electric sparkles beneath his feet, but did not trigger.

Malos: "Just as I thought..." Nia ran after him, but Jin called out,

"Wait!" Both turned around to see what he got to say. "There. Open that door too." Rex nodded back and walked towards it while they waited. Upon release, he said, "Let's move."

"Wh-what is that thing...?" Nothing to the side caught his attention, but there was a bridge towards an island in the middle of some bright pool, hosting a girl in red shirt. He dashed near it to look through the glass case. "It's a... girl...?" She had her hands on her chest, asleep. His mouth gaped widely at what they're coming for. Why would she be sunken deep beneath the ocean by herself? For how long had she been sleeping?

Then, some bright green light below the bottom of his eyes attracted his attention. His attention, previously on the girl, missed out what else there was. In awestruck, he tilted his head slowly downwards. The bright glowing crystal attached to the Ricasso of the sword, the shape of a cross, though the 'hands' triangular and rectangular, emits a heartbeating "blop blop, blop blop" that cleared his mind of all thinking. He felt out of control, dazzled, as his mind could not make of anything else except the heartbeats.

Jin and the others just walked in; the thick fog do shroud their vision somewhat. They saw their target, stopped just entering the door.

Malos whispered in his ears, "Look."

"Yes. No mistaking it. That's the Aegis."

Nia got closer to eavesdrop, looked back at the girl and them and back the girl, confused, "The... Aegis?"

Rex's back was on them, they can see what he's doing but their attention was not on him. His hands slowly lift, without him knowing, closer and closer to the luring crystal. No other thoughts pass through his brain.

Malos just noticed, "Hey, BRAT!!! Don't even think about touching that!"

"Huh?" That knocked him out of being dazzled, but a little jerk and it came into contact with the crystal before jerking away. Green motes were evaporating off the crystal, the process irreversible.

Jin decided quickly. His hand on the hilt of his sword, a blinding white light surfaced. At near the speed of light, he thrusted the sword through Rex's heart, ending his life.

"Ah!" Rex was still trying to make do what'd happened when consciousness was faltering as a cold metallic object pressed against his organ muscles. He tried to look down, but energy were dwindling away. Jin thrusted deeper to make sure; blood dripped from the tip of the blade and his wounds. His visions were getting blurry, still questioning the ultimate question of curiosity, "B-but... why...?"

His head were already throbbing as consciousness were fading.

Jin answered, "Don't take it personally. It's an act of mercy. At least you won't be alive to see what's coming." Malos would had done the same thing, but Nia's soul was shocked out of her shell. Her friend, just a few moments ago, killed by her companion? Jin emotionlessly pulled the sword out and let Rex's corpses dropped to the ground. He slashed off the blood still sticking on it, before taking another slice at the sword Rex touched, bringing it into pieces. Like rubies, the shards showered on the ground, some on Rex's bodies.

Malos commented, "Ugh... what a waste of time."

Nia couldn't understand, "Hurggghhhh... JIN!!! Why did you kill him? Why?! What did Rex ever do to you?! Jin!" He didn't bother answering.

Malos just looked at him walking past towards the exit, ordered, "Let's ship out the Aegis. Nia, call the Monoceros!" She wasn't taking orders immediately, clenched her fist tighter and tighter. How their respect for her is nil; does she even belong there? Jin's silhouette faded behind the mist; her anger did not fade with his.

"Ding!" He slowly clambered on his feet, the grass brushed over him where he laid. "Uh... Ungh..." Where is he? What is this place? Grass, trees, oh, and there's a single tree amongst the flat grass in the distance, with some red shirt figurine standing below it, looking afar. He knew where to go. "Ding..."

"Ding..." Now she is clearer. Her left hand pressed against the tree, still in the same position. He stopped. "Ding..." The wind brushes the grass and their ears, but he could not care less. "Ahh... e-excuse me...?"

The rustling of the leaves, "It's such a mournful sound..."

"Huh?"

"It hasn't stopped. Not... Not in all these years..."

"Hasn't... stopped...? You mean that bell sound? Is the... Praetorium... uh somewhere nearby?... Uh... w-where are we?" Her words are reassuring. Feeling uncertain, he was urged to get close to someone secure, to brave hand in hand what uncertainties lies ahead. His feet moved without him realizing.

"This is... Elysium. The land where long ago, mankind lived in harmony with their creator. It's where... 'We' were born."

"Get out! R-really?" Had this not been his dream, worrying about decreasing landmass year after year, and now he's on it? He must be dreaming. Across the lake was a town among the forest, and a Church or Town Hall stood up higher atop the hill; and layers upon layers of hills behind it.

He was awed by the environment, yet his curiosity, after the initial scan, brought him to her. Staring closely, she finally looked back. The emerald-green Cross-shape crystal on her chest stood out, "Is that a Core Crystal? You're a... Blade?"

"M-my name, is Pyra."

Such introductions surprised him. Had he not realized, if not smelling her breath, feeling her body heat. A crimson light red swooshed over his face, and he stuttered, scratching the side of his cheek, hoping she wouldn't notice, "What? Oh, right! M-mine is..."

"I know you. You're Rex, right?"

His curiosity temporarily suppressed his shyness, looking back at her, "How did you... know my name?"

"Just now, when we came into contact."

"Just now? Sorry... I can't seem... to remember how I got here..." He scanned the environment again, trying to recall to no avail. He turned his back on her, and her smile dimmed, looking back at the edge of town.

Hesitatingly, she reminded, "You were... killed. Stabbed through the heart, by Jin."

"Jin?... Through the...?" Now he remembered. He touched his chest; there was not a hole in it, but he could felt phantom pain that washed back on him. His eyes widened in disbelief, covered his mouth as if cover himself from vomiting, "I remember now! That bastard stabbed me! Oh man! This is bad! Everyone in the Guild is in danger!"

Pyra watched the panicked Rex turned around and ran back; but he dragged his knees along the soil when he realized, "No, wait! I can't do anything if I'm dead! Titan's foot, if I wasn't dead I'd kick that guy's arse!" And he kept banging on the floor.{{footnote: What about Gramps?}}

Pyra grew sadder and sadder, more desolate. She slowly walked towards him, "Rex, I have a request." He looked back at the only companion he had now in heaven, whom continued, "Can you... take me to Elysium?"

"Elysium? But... isn't that... here?"

"This world is merely a memory. An ancient, half-forgotten memory of what once was." He slowly stood up. "The real Elysium... lies in your world... atop the World Tree... that rises from the heart of Alrest."

"Memory...? So it's, like an illusion?" OK, "But there's no way. I'm dead, remember? How, can I help, if I'm not breathing?"

She hesitated for a moment while his mind wandered, offering, "I will give you... half, of my life force. That way, y-you can be revived... As my Driver. As the Driver, of the Aegis."

"The Driver... of the Aegis?! Wh-what the...?!" What's the Aegis? And he, a nobody, can be a Driver? And he can be alive again?

"What will you do, Rex?" Can he walk beside me? Will he be willing to? Centuries of waiting, her hopes dwindled like a candle-tip; with a light blow, plunging through deep abyss.

"Is this place, really your home?"

She nodded, "It is."

"And it... really exists?"

"Rex, I know what you're thinking, and you're correct. By... coming, to this place... you can save the world. Save it from the slow demise... that is its fate."

"We... wouldn't have to live... in fear. Then there's only one choice." He dashed towards her, calling out, "I'm in. Let's go to Elysium!" He pat on his chest with full confidence, "I'll take you there myself!"

The uncertainty-induced anxiety get washed away, for now, someone would walk beside her, hand in hand, whatever happens.

"Thank you, Rex." She slowly opened up her Core Crystal; it shone bright green. "Now, place your hand on my chest."

He took a second to be surprised, "What?! A-are you sure?!" He looked closer at the crystal; it was reverberating an echo that sucks his mind in, in, in. But not luring -- he can hear her voice, the beating of her heart. Slowly but certainly, with his index and middle finger, it contacted the crystal. Energy flowed from her crystal through his hand, gathering on his chest.

A bright green light engulfed both of them, and teleported them out of the world of fantasy. A dream shall forever be a dream, let the light destroy it, and we shall move forward, to reality.

Her casket had already been removed from the ship. He laid on the floor, fingers jerked a moment, before, like a puppet hanging on string, pulled up from the floor, amidst green motes repairing the hole on his chest, forming a crystal the shape of X. A replica of the crystal he wrapped on his hand, the sword regenerates. unleashing the shackles on its blade, turned into flames. It's time to revenge.

The downpour was even stronger than before. Malos carried Pyra's casket over his shoulder. She trailed behind, but heads dropped at all times. For the first time ever, she questioned their decisions.

Malos see no point for emotions, ordered, "Nia. End them."

"End? Like what?"

"The price for their lives has already been paid in full. Now that we have finally obtained the Aegis... The fewer living souls know about it, the better." The other salvagers were watching from afar.

As if letting her watching Jin ending Rex's life is not enough, now he wanted her to take action? On the innocents whom their family were waiting back at home for their return? "I-I can't do that! These people haven't done anything wrong!"

"I don't understand you." He stopped and peered over his shoulder. "Now, now. Have you forgotten why you came here to begin with, Nia?" One wrong word and you'll have to watch your ass.

"N-no, but..."

"Oh, for the love of... Fine. I'll handle it myself." He then turned around and slowly walked towards them. Nia watched in awe.

Suddenly, the casket started burning. Nia backed a step, and Malos was shocked, "Ho-...! What the...!!!" He threw the casket forward to a distance. Flames swallowed it whole, and a beam shot into the air; the phoenix glided and hit the top of the cabin entrance. Within explosion and flames, Pyra returned to life.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaiyah!!!" Molten lava melted the deck from the cabin below, and another pillar of flames shot up the sky as Rex came back to life.

Nia, with surprising tone, "Rex?!" The X-crystal{{footnote: And of course, minus the X and you now have Pyra's crystal. It should fit, right, the puzzle?}} in his chest shone especially bright; their focus on where his hole had gone. Their show had made the hull in flames.

"You! And that sword. CAN'T BE!!!"

"It's kinda low to stab a man in the back... You. Bloody. Psychopath! Pyra!"

"Here!"

"Cover me!"

"Got it!"

Jin put his hand on the hilt, but Malos denied, "Jin. Leave 'em to me."

"Aaaaaaiyah!!!"

"Hngh-!"

"Gah!"

"Sorry, kid. I can't let the likes of you just claim her power for yourself. This is as far as it goes." Pyra on the other side tried to flank Malos, but his blade faced her, calling out,

"Aegis! Over here!"

"Just... leave it out!" And Malos started fencing with Rex.

Nia: "Give it a rest, Malos! Can't you see he's just a child?!"

"A child? Don't make me laugh! This kid... has made himself the AEGIS'S DRIVER!!!"

"The Aegis's... Driver? Rex is..." Her mind spun incessantly; what the spark had just happened?

Despite becoming a driver, he, a newbie, had no fight for an experienced pro. He passed the blade to his Blade, whom slashed an X attack at Rex. "You're done!"

Pyra reached there and raised a shield on time. The explosion shook the ship. "Thanks, Pyra!"

"You're welcome. Now, don't let up!"

"Yeah!" And both zig zag towards their opponents. Malos's Blade slashed at them, trying to block their way. Pyra blocked the attacks while Rex prepared the attacks. "Aaaaaaaiyah!!! Everybody, go, now! Quick!" Malos and his blade just dodged his attacks, not fighting back. The others listened to him, ran back towards their ship.

"Malos! Here!"

"I don't think so!" Malos gathered energy in the weapon, aimed at the bridge that connected the original ship to the ancient ship. The others were running abroad it.

"Hey, you bully! Over here!" If he attacked, he could not block the incoming flames. He chose to defend instead.

"Hurrrgh!"

Rex and Pyra embracing each other side by side, holding onto the sword together, "Burning... Sword!!!" A huge explosion at where Malos stood. The others had returned to their ships. Nia's mouth gaped wide. Did they killed Malos? Jin didn't even bother helping. The smoke dimmed and their swords clashed; he blocked it.

"You brat. How can a nobody like you...? Ahhhh, but with those eyes... I guess I should've been more wary... from the start..." It's just like him, Addam's.

"What d'you mean?!{{footnote: Still had time to ask when you should focus on fighting?}}"

"Like I'd tell you!" The purple energy ball gathered on his other hand, punched at them. Round 2.

"You're good, kid. It's no simple feat to control the Aegis like that... however..." Rex was dashing towards him; he waited and gathered the dark energy, caught his sword by bare hand, and "ARRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!" punched hard in his stomach, swung him around and flinched him back.

"Agh!" The sword flew off his hands.

Pyra was having difficulty on the other side dodging attacks as her attention swiveled to "Rex!"

"Don't get cocky, you little shit!" said he whom dashed towards the boy whom felt his muscles not listening to his commands.

"Dromarch!"

"Understood!" That's when Nia rode herself and tried to intercept.

"What?!" The surprised Malos found himself flanked by some water bursts. He stopped to shield his face, and saw her riding her tiger, dropped in front of Rex. "Get out of the way, Nia! Have you gone MADDDDD!!!"

"You're the one who's off your nut, waling{{footnote: Not sure if this is a valid word; it's the subtitle, but one can't comprehend. Did she meant 'wailing'?}} on a child!"

"Nia... I don't think you quite comprehend your position."

"I get it, but-..."

"You're starting to PISS ME OFFFFF!!!" As he was angry and his blade got back beside him to fight the newcomer, Pyra took the chance to take her sword, make a turn and came back,

"Hya!"

"Ngh!" He forgot he had to first deal with her. Fencing and fencing, leaving flames everywhere they clashed. "You're pretty sharp for someone who's only just woken up."

"Pyra!" His stomach still hurt; he effetely stood up but had not the power to continue fighting. Are they going to lose here? Even with their new ally? They were no match for the one still feeling like a breeze, what says Jin whom hadn't yet laying his hand on the battlefield.

"Takes me back, to 500 years ago... What's the deal with that appearance? I'm guessing your goal... is Elysium..."

"That... is OUR. dream!"

"Then I have no choice, but to stop you!" They prepared for another battle, facing down one another.

Just then, the black ship that followed them from the harbor flanked the ancient ship, appearing behind Pyra. Rex watched in awe as the machine guns were aimed for the ancient ship. "Pyra, watch out!"

"Huh?" She turned behind, found them firing.

"Pyra!" He forgot his pain, for her pain covers his. He quickly dashed towards the location. Their dream had not yet started, she could not yet die; his promise for her had not yet fulfilled.

"Ahhh!!" Injured but not dead. She struggled to stand up.

Rex reached her, grabbed her, asked, "Y'all right?!"

"Mm, more or less..." she reassured.

"Stop this!" They hadn't realized whose ship was it, when Dromarch and Nia were already going after it, shielding them behind. More attacks came; Dromarch put on shields to defend the incoming missiles. But it was too suppressing, and the flames swallowed the four.

"Hogfh..."

"Nia!" Rex attention switched as he adeptly maneuvered the hull of the tilted sinking ship after her. The angle wasn't right, and she was off the hull's boundary. He jumped without a moment's hesitation, plunging together towards the wild water below. He accelerated faster than her, caught her by her arm, immediately turned around, and shot an anchor{{footnote: that he usually used to pull treasures.}} at the crevices. They hung tight; she went unconscious.

"You're a tough one, kid, but there's only one way this can end!" He looked over the edge where Rex was below, ordered the machine guns pointing at them.

"Oh sh-..." With a burden by his side, his anchor not strong enough to move them faster than the guns can shoot. Yet, their luck retained, for explosion swallowed the guns before it can shoot.

"What's that?!" Why is everything going out of control just at every junctions for them today?

That tone... that whale-song-like tone... no mistaking. It's a flying titan. The silhouette of stretched wings amidst the dark sky lit only by moonlights and burning ships, looming larger and larger.

"Gramps!!!" He swooshed past Rex, found him still alive, zoomed back into the sky to switch direction. His eyes scanned what enemies Rex had on the deck. There, the white shirt that stood there, not moving.

"Jin... Still you persist... And is that... Malos?!"

Jin: "Azurda..."

The scouting is done. He flew back up high into the air, while Jin prepared his sword, to stop anyone barricading him from achieving his goals. Melee encounters wasn't Azurda's strength; the redness lit his face as fire Ether particles concentrated into repeated fireballs, suppressing every single inch of the deck. Jin could not wait for him to near, pulled his sword and sliced the incoming fireballs.

Engulfed in flames they were not hurt, but it's enough to shroud their vision. He never meant to join the fight, banked toward where Rex was still hanging, instructed,

"Rex, get on!"

Pyra saw the chance to escape, vaulted onto Dromarch, whom took her down along the hull, running alongside Azurda in sync.

"Got it!"

Pyra: "Rex!" She held out her hands, he reached out his arms. They swiveled behind like kites, till he gathered the strength to vault himself and sat behind Pyra. Reaching the end, Dromarch jumped high onto the air. Azurda took his aim accurately, catching them with his back.

"We're going! Hold on tight!"

Malos shouted, "Stop them! OPEN FIRE!!!" The machine gun on the ship was quick to swivel around, aiming and firing at them. Flames scorched the Titan's body, but he did not wail. Releasing the whale-song-tone, he got further and further out of the gun's range. "Turn her around! Ready the cannon!"

Jin: "It's no use. They're out of range."

"Dammit! They gave us the slip..."

After some moments watching Azurda's silhouette getting smaller and smaller, Jin ordered, "Turn around."

"We're not chasing them?"

"The Aegis is awakened... That's enough for now. I'll have Akhos hunt them down." He walked away while replying.

"Hmph." At the edge of the ancient ship's deck, he could not deny. "That will have to do..." No more sign of them.

Footnotes:

Washed Up

"And so, Pupunin wisely ran away for dear life."

"WISE? WHO WISE NOW?!!! YOU. USELESS. IDIOT!!! Why can't Pupunin not even die properly? WHAT IF THEY ASK BANA TO REPAY MONEY, hmm?"

"Huh? Die? Repay who?"

"Meh! None of your business. Anyway. Tell me where Rex and Blade went."

"R-Rex, Titan and friends ran away! Went to south of Cyclus Sea -- after that, Bana know as much as Pupunin! S-storm was very thick, so Pupunin..."

"Pupunin lose them, yes?"

"Yes, but..." The tears in his eyes trying to fake it through.

"And then run away like coward?"

Sweat started dripping like water hose from his forehead, "Y-y-y-yes, but..."

"Meh-meh-meh-meh-MEH!!! BANA NOT WANTING FEEBLE EXCUSES OF PUPUNIN!!!" He banged hard on the table. The mirror jumped up, and Pupunin on the other side also jumped up. "JUST GET BACK HERE! You got LOT OF WORK to do!" With fluttering wings, Pupunin immediately hung up on the other side. "Meh-meh-meh... Even pricey insurance Bana take out on Maelstrom go to waste..." Money minded, huh.

As he calmed down, he looked to the map of the various Titans location updated to their current, "Still, how interesting... Heading southward from Cyclus Sea... In current season, that likely take them to Gormott. You, girl! Get Consul Dughall on the line, IMMEDIATELY!!!"

"Yes, sir. One moment, please." And she walked up front to the mirror and tuned the frequency.

"Why, if it isn't Chairman Bana. What an unexpected pleasure. May I just say that I admire how you rebranded those broken Core Crystals. And selling them on to the dunderheads back in Mor Ardain -- absolutely sublime!"

"Bana did not call to hear pointless flattery! And blabbering about Core Crystals on UNSECURED LINE?!!! IS DUGHALL SOME KIND OF IDIOT?!!! What if Indol tap. Our. COMMUNICATION?!!!"

Dughall jumped back, as if covering his mouth would shied them from listening, "O-o-ohhh, of course! I'm very sorry!"

"Meh, forget it. We got bigger- fishies- to fry."

"Oh? What's going on?"

"Listen. Up."

"Unghhh..." Blink, blink, blink. The blurred image of worrying Pyra turned into grateful Pyra. "Huh... Pyra?"

"Oh, thank goodness. Y-you aren't injured at all, are you?"

"No, I'm... fine, I guess... Where...?"

Grass was relatively thick, but the trees were even lusher and denser. Together they held fogs from escaping.

"I'm not certain. We seem to have... washed up on a Titan of some kind."

"A Titan?"

He tried to tilt his head to check it out, when his mind ran through what they had just gone through yesterday. Nia, Dromarch, Gramps... "HUUUHHH!!!" Now he remembers! Immediately, he jumped up from her laps, his hearts beating as fast as they could get, the worries brought his adrenaline to max. "Where's Gramps? And Nia?"

He scanned around, looked back at Pyra. She stood up after him, shook her head. As if receiving bad news, he was about to collapse, scanned the surrounding irrationally for any signs. But where are they? Pyra waited for him.

Then, something amongst the grass caught his eyes. His salvager helmet. He told Pyra, "We gotta find them! They can't be far!"

"OK!" Together, they dashed for the only rights of way from the ledge they were at now, deeper into the forest.

"Gramps!" He was laying there, effete and heavily injured. He quickly got near him.

"Hmm. It is good to see you uninjured, Rex." The blue motes that floated on the surrounding like fireflies sending him off.

Pyra had left some space for him and his lifelong companion. Yet she felt "How awful..."

"Hold on, I should have some herbs..." He dug into his pockets, searching for it.

"You are kind, but... no amount of human medicine, would suffice."

He listened to him, "B-but..." he still wanted to try.

"Weep not, my boy. This is- my- fate."

He tried to say something, but "I... I can't help it, can I?"

"No parting is forever. We will surely meet again, when the flow of the ether wills it..." The purple part of his head started glowing bright, about to disappear. Both he and Pyra felt heavy rocks in their heart; he had went out of his way to saved them, and this is his finale? Gradually, slowly by slowly, his whole body glowed bright as ether dissipates back to Mother Alrest. "The days with you were the- best- I- ever- had. Until- we meet- again, Rex..."

"Gramps!" He dashed forwards, tried putting his hands on him; but he dissipated beforehand. Nothing left except motes floating up the sky. His teacher, his guardian, whom raised him up from baby to teen, now gone forever before his eyes? Had he said he's ready to look at life and death plainly? He tried to catch then within his hands, but to no avail. What's gone is gone. "Gramps! GRAAAAAMMMMPPPSSS!!!" Knelt on the floor, tears flowing down his cheeks. Pyra covered her mouth, sensing his feelings, looked aside as her tears rolled down her cheek too.

And a baby voice called out while the atmosphere was desolate, softly, "I told you not to cry, didn't I, Rex?"

"Hngh... Hngh huh..." He's not listening, too into his own emotions.

"Rex..."

"Unhungggghhhh unhugh..."

"Rex..."

"Grampsss!!!"

"REXXXXXX!!!" Are you deaf?

Pyra can't help not to laugh. Rex looked in front. A super tiny Titan sat in front of him, wiggling its tail. Rex was dumbfounded. Who is this tiny little guy in front of him? He rubbed his eyes, cleared his tears, and looked again. Pyra got closer beside him, examined. They looked at each other, surprised, as both exclaimed, "WHAAAAT?!!!"

Tiny wiggly tails, super small core crystal like diamond shape chest, tiny wings, and a tiny thorn, "G-G-Gramps? How is that-?"

Pyra: "It can't be..."

"Use your eyes! Don't you recognize me?!" As if he's recognizable.

"Um, well... not really, no." She can't help it.

Rex snuffed his tears, stood up, logically said, "I am so confused right now..."

After much explanation, Gramps concluded, "So you see, by maximizing cellular regeneration{{footnote: Ahem, where had your biology gone?}} to retain all vital bodily functions, I seem to have reverted to a larval stage." He flapped his wings as he leveled with Rex's eyes.

He looked away, commented, "Well that's quite handy. Must be nice to be a Titan." What a waste of tears is the real comment.

With proudness in his tone, "This, isn't something just any old Titan can do! Only one so advanced as myself-... Erm, Rex, are you angry?"

"HMPH! I'm not! It's more that I didn't want you to see me blubbering like a baby!"

"Ho ho. It's okay to be angry." And he stopped flapping his wings, immediately dropped to the ground.

"So... when will you be back to your old self?"

"Goooood question. No more than... 300 years."

"Th-three hundred years?!!! But I'll be long dead by then!"

"Hmm. I suppose that's true." Like he doesn't feel anything different between him alive or dead.

"But... what about my house?! Do I have to live on the streets?!"

"Perhaps this is an opportunity to fly the nest."

"You mean... pay rent?"

"Ho ho, miserboots!"

"It's a massive extra expense! Still... Glad you're OK, Gramps." Gave him a thumbs up. Now that's solved, he turned to Pyra, "Oh, shoot! We can't stand around all day! We have to find Nia!"

Gramps flew up again, asked, "Nia? You mean- that- Driver- and her- Blade- from before?"

"Yeah. They kind of saved our lives."

Pyra: "I do hope they are all right."

"Gramps, do you remember anything?"

"I- remember... crashing through -many trees, before landing- here... They- probably- fell off then."

"Hmmm, that's not a whole lot to go on..."

Pyra suggested, "Perhaps we would have some luck... following the trail of broken trees?"

"Good thinking, Pyra! Let's go!"

"By the way, Rex, is that a- Core- Crystal- I see- shining on your chest? Just- what happened- to you?"

"I'll tell you later. Right now, we need to find Nia!" He picked Gramps up and threw him into the Salvager's helmet hung by his back.

Gramps felt excited, "OOOOOHOOOOOHHHH!!! Now this makes a nice change!" He whom hosted he on his back for long, now he hosted him on his helmet. And he said nothing, led them along the trails, searching for their missing new friend.

They continued down the path when he heard something, "What's that sound?"

Pyra voiced her experience, "I felt... a ripple in the ether. It feels like a... Driver is using a Blade in battle. I'm certain of it."

"Let's go."

"OK!" They quickly get to the point of attack.

Nia and Dromarch were facing down a giant brog{{footnote: A frog/toad}}.

"My lady, leave- this- to me!"

"I'm not just going to abandon you, Dromarch!" They prepared for engagement when a fireball flanked its side.

"What?"

"We're here to help, Nia!" Just in time.

"Rex?! What're you doing here?"

"My lady, now's our chance! Let's attack!" The brog licked where it was hit while Rex and Pyra took the chance to join Nia and Dromarch in battle.

"All- right, then!"

After the battle, they have time to talk. "So why are you guys even... Well, I guess that's a stupid question."

"Indeed." agreed Dromarch.{{footnote: One think that's Dromarch? But one couldn't be sure.}}

Rex felt gratitude, "Seriously, it's good to see you. And you're all right."

"Right back at you. Hey, by the way. What- happened to the big guy who saved us? The Titan?"

"Are you talking about me?" He heard himself being called, climbed out of Rex's helmet, and revealed himself.

"Wait, what? How?"

"That's... sort- of a long story. Let's get somewhere we can rest. I'll tell you all about it then."

"That seem prudent. My lady?"

"Sure. Lead the way."

They made a campfire in the forest, sitting around in a circle. "I see. So you two are off to Elysium... Listen, I never thanked you properly. For... saving us, I mean. Dromarch said that you... carried us all the way here."

"We owe you... our lives, Titan."

Gramps sat himself in between Rex and Pyra, hands crossed, "No need to thank me. After all, you were the ones who saved Rex."

"Don't mention it." Guilty washed over her as she was ashamed by what her group had done. Now she felt like an outgroup. Not to dwell on the topic any longer, she changed it, commenting, "So, you Titans can regenerate. Pretty handy."

Gramps's nose immediately raised high into the sky, hands on his waist, lifting his chest, repeating the chant he hadn't stopped every since he reverted stages, "This isn't something just any old Titan ca..."

"You can retire that line now." Rex cut him off, too tired of his baffling.

"Excuse me?! I'd like less of that attitude! If you had listened to me and declined that reckless job to begin with, we wouldn't be in this mess! 'Take a nap' you said, like I was some kind of doddery old man..." Meanwhile, Dromarch had laid himself behind Nia, and she laid backwards, using his body as pillow.

"Okay, okay, I get it! I'm a terrible disappointment. Look- how- sorry- I- am!" Nose high onto the sky.

"Can- you- not- muster, even a shred, of sincere remorse?"

"Sorry, but I can't."

"Um what?"

"If I hadn't taken the job, they'd have got their hands on Pyra."

"Rex..." Awww that was so sweet.

"I couldn't let that happen. No way. They can never take her."

"Hmm hmmm...." Not that he can rebut, nor does Nia.

Nia slept herself wholly on Dromarch, using him as a bed. Rex just laid on the floor, dozed off. Pyra was out in the plains herself, looking at some rocks and trees. But her mind dwindled. A lot had happened since she woken, but till now, her mind was occupied by worries of escaping and her new partner and friends. Now that all that died down, feelings washed her aback. She had time to think, without distractions seeking her.

Like a mosquito, Gramps slowly floated to her, called out, "Hello there. Still awake, I see."

"I-I can't... seem to sleep. It's good to see you again... Azurda."

"Likewise. Though you've changed a lot since last we met, Pyra."

"I supposed I have. A lot's happened."

"Yes it has. I wanted to thank you... for saving my dear Rex. And... I need to know - what- you told him, is that what you really intend?"

Whether or not she really feel that way, the complications that's tearing her apart, the different voices in her heads arguing to find her 'true self', if there is one, she had to answer "Yes. It is... my true desire." with utmost confidence.

"I see. Well, that's good enough. I have no reason... to doubt you, Pyra."

"That said... I do have one other goal now."

"Jin, and- Malos."

"I cannot allow them... to continue with their current course."

"The fate of an Aegis... never changes..."

"Right."

"And- you're going to get Rex... mixed up in this?"

"Hrrr..." How guilty she felt; he whom never understood what he'd gotten himself into, decided only to walk beside her, had not considered what obstacles would lay before them, on the road to Elysium{{footnote: and they may even, one day, met a barrier so high they can't vaulted past!}}.

"I'm not blaming you. No matter how hard you tried, that boy would find some way... to get involved." Plus, they now shared their life forces, 'interlinked'.

Nothing from her to say, so Azurda changed the topic, "I- see- half of your Core... is missing. Seems you've taken on... quite a burden."

"Azurda, I..."

"Promise me... you'll take care of Rex."

"I will." What burden to bear on her shoulders herself, without one to share, even when they're by her side, she could not voice it out. Physically, they could be with her, but mentally and spiritually, she held back, needing more time, for both herself, and for her de facto partner.

"Urrrrrgghhhh... Urgh urggghhh!!!" He had just woken up, the others already waiting for him. Quickly, he get to the point, "Right then. We should probably try and find a town or something. Does anyone have any idea... where we are?"

Nia, without hesitation, answered, "This is Gormott. A province of the Ardainian Empire. You must've seen the Gormott Titan before?"

"Yeah, only from a distance, though."

"We're- somewhere around its belly."

"Sooooo... this is Gormott, huh?" So much worries, he hadn't had the attention to examine closely their current location. Now the forest looked eerie, then something struck, "Hang on a second, Nia -- your ears. Are you Gormotti?"

"Well done, genius. Took you long enough!"

"Gormott is the land of my lady's birth."

"Wow. Well, that's reassuring."

She gave direction, "If we wanna find a town, the first step is to get out of this forest. Keep heading up, and we'll hit the plains soon. The town's that way."

"Brilliant. Let's get going!"

The plains was alluring and huge. From a platform, they could oversee the whole plains. This is Gormott Province. At the other end of the plains was a town, set at the edge of the Titan, with several diving points for salvaging. The head of the Titan was far away, had horns like that of a Capricorn. Waterfalls, some trees with their roots sticking out in the air called breathing roots, and the animals which'd taken refuge were too small to clearly distinguish from afar. It awed Rex and Pyra, one whom had not been on such continent before, the other, for the last 500 years, had repeatedly stayed at the same place in her dreams. Nia was proud to host the two.

"Oh... my goodness. What a wonderful view!" For a moment, she felt not the constant background depression, but an uplift in emotions at such heart-calming scenery. The breezy winds, the scent of grass, all soothed the mind, calmed the heart.

Gramps agreed, "Spectacular indeed."

"Yeah, this is great! Especially after slumming it on Gramps's back for so long!"

His contentment was overturned, "Hmph! It served you well enough!"

Nia nudged towards the only town at the plains, pointed out, "Over there, that's Torigoth. Biggest city in Gormott. I'll accompany you as far as the city. After that, I'm afraid you're on your own."

"Oh, on our own?" Rex was surprised, she's not coming with them?

"Of course! I would have thought even you'd know why I can't be seen with you."

"Because... you're supposed to be one of them?"

"I haven't known them very long, but you know. They're still my crew."

"Your crew? Even after they tried to kill you?"

"That's- as may be, but they're the closest thing I have to a family."{{footnote: It's not easy to escape a family, however bad it is. You'll know it if you're in one, or if you read one, though the latter would be much less extreme if you'd never experienced it for yourself.}}

"Nia..."

"Right. Let's go!" She had to hardened up despite, pushed forward, and lead the way.

Footnotes:

Gormott, Resonance, and Captured

The town of Torigoth welcomed them with an arc. Wooden plants lined the path, stiffening the crop-growing soft soil beneath. The crowds gathered at the square made the other parts of the town empty.

"So, this is Torigoth..."

"It hasn't changed a bit." Her memories brought her back to when she was living in the town. But are they happy moments? She doubted.

"Nia?" Pyra wondered.

"It's nothing. OK then. I'll show you to an inn. Then I'm out of here." And they trailed behind her.

Translator's note on environment: Most buildings single-storey high, made of metals. The horizontal windmill is the tallest man-made structure in town, exceeded only by the giant tree that shielded them from rain and wind and sunlight. Some extended their housings in their front door with a make-do roof, laying out goods and supplies for onlookers to look, and buy. This, is Torigoth.

As if never been to a town, or haven't been to one for too long, the group gingerly walked alongside, looked left and right; everything was new to them. Passing by a notice board, Nia walked past as if nothing caught her attention; but Jin and Malos's poster stuck high within her viewsight. Something in the back of her mind triggered; slowly and carefully, she tread backwards, till it reached the 3rd poster, hers, then she looked carefully. A fat tiger-looking (female???) sticking her nose and jaws out with sharp pointed nails, with wrinkles and decorations spreading her face.

"What the bloody hell is that? Don't tell me this is meant to be ME?!"

The group stopped right in their path, curious with what did she found out.

Dromarch spoke the truth, "A remarkable likeness, to say the least..."

"Oi, did you say something?" The eyes sharpened on him.

He realized what words tested her bottom lines. His mind turned around 10 times faster than usual, a quick reply to save his arses, "Ah, er, no. I-I fear they may have conflated our countenances, my lady. How very awful."

"Offfff.... GRRRRRR!!!" The other three still wanted to take a look when she landed her claws on the notice, scratched it pieces to pieces like a human paper shredder, and with a bang, raining poster shards. Shockingly they backed away, careful not to tickle her nerves.

"Fie! Who has the courage to heed the Empire's call? Your strong heart today, will build a strong Mor Ardain tomorrow! Of course, you get more, than a salary! Pension and benefits are included! Distinguish yourself, and you could even join the nobility! For. The. Glory. of the Ardainian Empire, AND HIS MAJESTY, EMPEROR NIALL!!! Come. Now! WHO wants to be the HERO of tomorrow?!"

His strong voice attracted the attention of the passing group. The square lined with humans upon humans, nopons upon nopons, all looking at the empty show. Nobody step up, even if the Core Crystal was placed in front of the 3 soldiers, awaiting the courageous. The middle extroversion soldier was doing the speaking.

"Hmm... What's the deal over there?" Rex wondered.

"Driver recruitment." answered Nia.

"Driver recruitment?"

She shared, "Recently, they've been recruiting Drivers from all over."

Dromarch added, "The pool of potentials, is ever shrinking. They must have run out of candidates in the military."

Rex wondered, "What do you mean by 'potentials'? I'm not sure I follow."

"Just see for yourself."

"Don't do it, bro, it's too dangerous! What will we do if something happens to you? Who'll look after us?" Many young Gormotti surrounding a grown-up Gormotti, trying to push him back. Yet his eyes laid not on them, even their plead could not suppress his 'greed'. The roads had not shortened itself, with the children obstacling him for long. Shoving her aside, he walked past with unwavering will. She subconsciously held on to his arm, trying to hold him back. "P-please..."

"I-I-I know it's dangerous, but... i-if I can b-become a Driver..."

"Outta the way, pipsqueak!" He was not the only courageous tester. A grown-up muscular buff Gormotti with all the muscles and six packs he had, walked like a gangster and shoved both the children and the grown up to the floor. They said nothing, getting used to being bullied in town. The lab rat walked in front of the crowd, shouted to himself, "All right, c'mon Blade boyo! Show me whatcha got! Hroooagh!" And he grabbed the Core Crystal by hand. "A-a-a-AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!"

The power transferred from the Core Crystal shook his 'healthy' body. With extreme vibration, tremendous heat released into its vicinity. Without seeing the end result, Nia already predicted, based on experience, "Yeah, he's done for."

"Indeed." Gramps agreed.

"WAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!" Black eyes became white eyes, and he could take no longer. Blood splattered from the newly created holes{{footnote: On the video, you saw some 'water' sprayed from his body. That's actually censored blood.}} on his chest, on his waist, fountain high; he fell dead on the spot. Pyra was dumbstruck. What just happened?

"Oho, all bark and NO BITE! What a shame!" The soldier continued his speech, as his colleagues handled the procedure, went forward and held each side of the man's arms, dragged him along to the corpse dumping hole behind town.

Rex looked aside, covering the scene with his palm, but his eyes looked in between, a struggle between disgust and curiosity, "Eurgh, what just happened? All that blood..."

Nia explained, "Couldn't handle the Core Crystal's power."

Dromarch added, "That's what happens... when someone unqualified touches a Core Crystal. Truly- lamentable."

Rex was confused, "Wait, you need a qualification to be a Driver?"

Gramps suggested, "Perhaps 'aptitude' would be a better word."

"Aptitude?"

The soldier clapped his hands to attract attention, "Now, is there NOBODY else here, ready to test their STRENGTH for the GLOOORY of the Empire?! Oh! How about you? What say you? Step- forward, sir, with BOLD HEART!!!" His eyes scanned around the square, found the grown-up Gormotti previously he saw was walking up to the stage but knocked down by the now-dead corpse, summoned him.

"Nooo..." Their pleading does not help. The death of a muscular Gormotti could not stop him from treading bold steps forward. He could hear no longer, see no longer, except for the Core Crystal, at the very center of his vision.

But he did gave his final words as the guardian to the children, "Don't... Don't worry. Your big bro's gonna be a Driver, and then we'll be set for life."

All in chant, "Don't do it!"

But too late. He already laid his hand on the crystal. Energy transfer started with great heat emanating from, "Ah-ahh-ah-AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!"

Nia can distinguish, pointed out, "There's your 'aptitude'." Rex couldn't distinguish, but watched the process nonetheless.

A bright light swallowed the bro, the core crystal gone before his eyes. The ball of energy transformed into a spear, before his surprising eyes. All that uncertain and the sour-bitter of life, all gone with both grips on the pole. Another ball of energy fell down like meteor, he turned and saw his humanoid 'standard' Blade{{footnote: Those non-special blades}} came to life.

With elation, he called out, "I... I did it!"

The children were elated, surrounded him with constant chatter, "You did it!"

"I don't believe it!"

"Oh wow!"

Pyra was content at such scene, walked forward to look closer. Rex noticed something else, "The Core Crystal turned into... a weapon?"

Gramps: "This is how Blades, are born, Rex."

"What? But when I touched Pyra's..."{{footnote: Ahem, Pyra's where?}}

Nia cut him off before he could speak more, "She's a special case. Pyra is the Aegis, remember? So the usual rules don't apply. All that business with sharing her life force... It's- not- exactly normal."

"Wait, what does 'the Aegis' even mean?{{footnote: Gramps was stretching behind him.}} Jin and Malos... They called her that, too."

"Dunno. All I know is that it's some kinda legendary Blade. Why don't you just... ask her yourself?" Pyra's eyes looked to bottom left of her for a moment, before turning back to the scene.

Without hesitation, Nia suggested while leaving, "Let's go. No point sticking around for the enrollment ceremony and all that boring stuff." Rex gave Pyra a gentle touch on her shoulder. She gave one more look at the scene before catching up alongside.

The continuing path lead a downward slope, below a bridge they passed, when Rex stopped, his mind still lingering in the blood and Blades, voiced his thoughts, "This whole thing with Core Crystals, touching them to create Blades! It's pretty amazing when you think about it."

Pyra shaped the process, "We Blades start out formless, anchored to the world... only by our Core Crystal. Only the touch, of a potential... can imbue us with form, and being. And it is by these forms, we come to be known."

Gramps concluded, "So you see, my boy, in some ways it- is- only- the fated touch of a Driver, that allows the Blades, to exist at all."

"Wow! Why does it happen that way, though?"

"Now that is something no one knows. It's just how it's always been."

Dromarch added, "Blades come- in all- shapes- and sizes. Some- human-shaped, some- not."

Nia: "Some people say the shape depends on the kinda person the Driver is."

Pyra: "The resonance between, Blade and Driver, is a mysterious thing."

Rex recalled, "Pyra... She was, crying when I met her. Was she brought to life by someone once, just like a normal Blade?"

Thinking in his mind, "What is the Aegis, really?"

Before he could think or ask further, soldiers approached from behind, instructed, "Halt! Nobody move!"

They turned to see what's going on, when the direction they were to go also had soldiers. They were sandwiched in between, with no other ways to leave.

Making a circle, each guarding each other's back, Gramps exclaimed, "Oh dear... Looks like... imperial troops."

Nia: "Great."

Rex: "Hey, what's going on?"

The soldier answered, "That fugitive, in your company is an enemy of the state! A member of Torna!"

"Nia, a member of Torna?"

"It's her all right. Gormotti Driver, white beast-form Blade. She looks exactly like the wanted poster."

"What wanted poster?"

"See for yourself!" He took a replica of the tiger-looking-ugly-monster drawing Nia had clawed to shreds not long ago.

"Wow, it really does-..."

"Oi, watch it!" That tickled her nervers.

He's swift at saving his arse, "Ah, uh, I mean, no way! This doesn't look anything like... Wait, we've got no time for this! Who cares if it looks just like her?" And she hissed at him immediately.

The soldier neither cared, "Hmph. Now as for you... You look like- a Driver too. Registration number?"

"5...3...9...?"

"Knock it off, you fool. All new Drivers must register with Indol! No number means you must be an illegal, unregistered, Driver!"

"No, you don't get it!"

No excuses he accept, "You're coming with me! We'll see... what the consul has to say about this!"

Nia softly shared her plans to "Rex, Dromarch and I are gonna make our move. Get ready to run."

"We're not leaving without you."

"This is our problem, not yours."

"I'm pretty sure he wants to arrest all of us. So this is my problem, too!"

"Sheesh, you're a stubborn one, ain't you?"

"Gramps says the same thing."

"OK. we go on three. We'll go left, you go right."

"OK!"

Pyra: "Just give the word."

Nia: "OK, let's do this!"

The speaking soldier were shocked, backed one step, stutteringly muttered, "Y-y-you're going to resist? Seriously?"

"One... two..."

"Haaaaaa-A-All right, men! We've got them outnumbered -- move in, and take them down!"

"THREE!!!" And the battle begins.

"They're... so strong! Such strength from a measly two fighters... They're Drivers, all right!" The captain spoke while his fellow colleagues were fencing down the groups.

"Rex! Now!" felling all, Nia shouted.

"You got it!" They dashed for the other end of the bridge when blue flames raised from beneath the ground, bridge-high, blocking their escape route. "Wha-?! A wall, made of fire?!"

"Such a commotion." From behind the captain and other soldiers, a blue-purple theme women with fires on the surface of her body, wielding twin long solid metal truncheon{{footnote: 锏}}, eyes forever closed, walked into the scene, spoke with a soft voice, "Just when I thought I could enjoy a little peace, and quiet."

"L-L-L-Laaaaddddyyyy... Brighid!" The captain stuttered at her existence.

Rex was curious, "Brighid? Is she a Blade? Wh-where's her Driver?"

She answered, "My driver is otherwise engaged at present. I am here alone."

"No... Driver?" First time he heard of that.

The captain laughed furiously at his imbecility, "BAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! Lady Brighid is the 'Jewel of Mor Ardain'! The strongest Blade in the Empire! Even alone, she's more, than a match for you! Lady Brighid, these miscreants, are terrorists, working for Torna. Please lend me, your power, to bring them to justice!"

"Torna?" Without eyes, she can still scan the group with her sixth sense{{footnote: 神念}}. Nia had no attention from her, but the girl in red does. "That emerald Core Crystal... Could it, really be true? Well well. Captain Padraig, you are not to kill them. Take these ones in alive."

"Roger. Men, bring the you-know-what!"

"Sir!" They leave the stage to get their new weapons, while Captain Padriag fought alongside Brighid, waiting for their return.

"Hyagh!" Blue flames stretching at the group.

"Yaaaaa!" Red slicing flames going back at her. Shockwaves blew dust in Rex's face, which he shielded. Brighid seemed undisturbed. "Wha-?! She- she repelled our attack!"

Pyra: "She's so... strong."

Gramps reminded them, "Umm, And this is without a Driver..."

"Stop yammering! Just get her!" Nia and Dromarch jumped above air, poaching at her. The two soldiers just then gone had returned, fired two nets with amazing accuracy, first trapped Dromarch while still in mid air. Nia shouted back, "Dromarch! YAAARGGGHHH"

"Urgh!" They rolled to the ground, wrapped in cocoon.

"Ugh... Dromarch..."

Captain Padriag proudly explained the new invention, "This is an ether net! BAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Let's see you use your precious Arts, when you can't, draw ether, from the atmosphere!"

Brighid added, "Even Blades have weaknesses. This, is one such weakness. Without the flow of ether, Blades are quite useless."

"Nia! Dromarch!"

"Get outta here, Rex! Save yourself!"

"I'm not gonna do that! I can't just leave you here!"

"You've got your own mission! Just move it!"

"Yeah, but-"

"No buts! Go!"

Gramps added in the persuasion, "Rex, we must withdraw for now! It's our only chance!"

"BUT-!"

"You won't escape." The passing of the bucks had gained Brighid time to raised the flaming circle that encircled the group. Such intense flames scorched the skin of the two as they screamed in pain,

"ARRRRGGGHHHH!!!" They even struggled to keep standing on their feet.{{footnote: Surprisingly, the grass took no hit, remained green and lush despite.}}

"REEEEXXXX!!!" Gramps urged. Not much time left.

"Ugh, dammit! Huh?" He hadn't yet taken actions when he heard the whizzing sound from above. A ball with a light in it soared the air, hit the pipe beside the bridge, and out poured water at high pressure.

"WAAAAAHHHH!!!" The pressure washed the soldiers clean and tidy as they crushed into the ground below.

"Ugh, water!" The flames on her skin sizzled and her strength grown effete. The circle of flames had been extinguished by the 'rain'. Rex and Pyra took their chance,

"Now!", held the sword's hilt together, "Haaaaaa!!! Burning, Sword!!!"

"Agh!" The flames cut through the water and burst on Brighid, shielding her face and torso from impact.

"Pyra!"

"Yes!" They already turned around.

Captain Padriag was the one feeling nervous, ordered the soldiers, "Don't let them escape! Get... after them!" And the two footsoldiers ran after them.

Nia was grateful, softly spoke to herself, "That's right, Rex... Run, and never look back."

Brighid was equally impressed, did not join the 'getting after them' group, expressed, "To pull that off despite all this water... So, the legends of the Aegis were real."

Footsteps stamping amidst the dark twisting underground. Limited lights from the crevices showed them the way. Turning around one alley, they heard shouts from behind. "Hey hey!"

The exit to exposure under the sun was just beyond, but they stopped and turned around, despite incomings. Who was that calling? The wooden wall (hidden door) creaked open a small gap, and a Nopon wearing goggles popped out from behind, wavering at them, "This way, friends, come this way! Tora help you escape!"

"Who are you?" Rex was surprised.

"Quick, no time to explain!" His wings fluttered more furiously, urged. Rex and Pyra exchanged glance, decided to trust the non-dangerous looking potato creature. She nodded back at him, went for the door, and went through first. Rex eyed the direction they were coming from for any signs of soldiers, got behind her. Tora took the final watch, and clink, saw the shadows around the corner, quickly slammed the door behind with a soft thud. The door thus became the wall.

A short moment and the soldiers came and stopped right in front, but they noticed nothing extraordinary, followed along the path out into the open plains.{{footnote: If your attention was so focused on something, all the gorillas passing through a basketball field you can't notice, what says a bang or a thud that's not loud enough to shook the ground and catch your attention of potential danger?}}

Behind the door, they followed Tora along, with Rex asking, "Thanks, you saved us. But I gotta ask... why?"

"No reason."

"No reason?"

He turned around to face them, "Sorry, that not true. Truth is, Tora not like those big bully soldiers. Was thinking to test out shiny new Boom Biter on big bullies... That's when Tora see friends running from them. Boom Biter missed and- hit water pipe, but results not so bad, hey?"

"Oh, so you shot the pipe?"

"That right."

"And you're, Tora. I'm Rex, and this is Pyra."

"It's so lovely to meet you!" Pyra greeted.

"Good to meeting! Mehehehehe..."

"Huh?" Rex was confused.

"Ahhh Actually, Tora have other reason for save you."

"Which is?"

"Don't worry. Explain everything when get to house of Tora! This way!" And he led them on.

At the other side, Consul Dughall, in his office, listened to Captain Padriag reporting, "The boy, and his Blade, who seemed to be working with them got- away... But we apprehended the girl from the wanted poster, along with her Blade! The town is once again safe for-" The proudness in his tone made his chest high. Yet Dughall was slightly annoyed.

"Say, Padriag, do you remember what my orders were?"

"Sir?"

"I. Told. You. To capture the Blade with the emerald Core Crystal, Did. I. Not? Do you recall me ever telling you, to capture some, little girl, with barely a bounty on her head?"

"B-B-But sir, s-she's a member of, Torna..."

"I'll say it slowly for you, just so we're clear. Get. The Blade. With. The emerald-"

"Umm, Consul Dughall, sir?" Padriag interrupted.

"What?"

"I-I'm- not exactly sure what color, 'emerald', is supposed to be..."

"AGGGGHHHH!!! GIVE. ME. STRENGTH!!! IT'S GREEN, YOU IDIOT!!! EMERALD IS GREEN!!!" He grabbed the turquoise vase from the top of the table and stuck it to his face, "LIKE THIS! GREEN! GET IT, YOU CLOD?!!!"

"OOOOOOHHHHHH, GREEEEENNNNN!!! I get it now. So, emeralds are green, huh..."

"YOU DUNDERHEAD! HOW MANY BLADES, DO YOU SEE, WITH GREEN CORE CRYSTALS?!!! IT'S PATENTLY OBVIOUS!!! HOW DO YOU MIX THAT BLADE up WITH SOME, WORTHLESS CAT MONSTER?!!!"

Padriag can't wait to correct him, unable to read the situation, "Actually, sir, technically I believe that's a, tiger, rather, than a-..."

"SILENCE!!!" And he slammed the vase at his nose, brought him down onto the floor.

"Agh!"

"Consul!!!" Just during the worst time did a soldier ran into his house/office.

"WHAT IS IT?!!! HAVEN'T YOU HEARD OF KNOCKING?!!!"

"My apologies, sir! It's just that Lady Mòrag, has..."

"WHAT?!!"

"Special Inquisitor Mòrag has just arrived from the motherland."

"Already?"

"Her ship has just docked."

Now that was shocking, "Grk, this... THIS CANNOT BE HAPPENING!!!"

A giant battleship several storey high braved the cloud sea, sending ripples as it cut the waves skillfully. The battleship was implanted into the Belly of a Titan to provide energy. It drifted towards the dock of Torigoth.

After docking, the hatch opened and out walked Mòrag. She knew why she's here for.

Footnotes:

Tora, Mòrag, and Poppi

"You live down here?" Rex stood by the door after Tora and Pyra entered the chamber, scanning from an outside view. A wooden basement lit by ether lamps, with stoves and decorations and a table under a giant pipe-looking beam.

"This just back door. Front entrance over there."

"Makes sense." As he looked below his feet, "Whoooaaaa!!! Is that the Cloud Sea down there? We're so high up!" Trees and branches below, but even further down, the cloud sea.

"Nice view, eh? Tora likes to just sit and watch Cloud Sea sometimes."

Pyra commented, "You have a wonderful home." How she wished she had one too!

He was proud, "Meheheh! Anyway, um... Rex-Rex..."

"Rex-Rex?" He entered the chamber and stood beside Pyra.

"Rex-Rex. Tora explain other reason I help you. You see... Ugh. Tora always wanted to make Driver friends."

"Hah! Interested in Drivers, are you?"

"But of course! Tora think it amazing how Driver and Blade join spirits together to make big power! Tora reaaaaallly want to be sidekick of Rex-Rex!" Talk about flapping his wings incessantly.

"Uhhh, you know my name is just Rex, right? One Rex, not two."

"What is point?"

"Well, nothing, I guess. It just sounds a bit... different, from... what I'm used to." Continually scratching his hair.

"Doublename just show Tora's respect! Respect for great Driver! Rex-Rex should be proud!"

"I'm not sure I've earned all that yet... Ahhh, all right. You can call me Rex-Rex if it makes you happy. But instead of all this sidekick stuff, can't we just be friends?"

"Really? Tora... will- be... friend of Rex-Rex?! Hooray!!!"

"What a funny little guy. Hey, Tora! Do you know much about this town?"

"Huh?"

"You wouldn't happen to know where the army takes prisoners, would you?"

Pyra, all the while listening in their conversations, cut in, "Rex, you're not planning to..."

"We have to save Nia and Dromarch."

"I- thought you'd say that." says he whom lived with him for long.

"Oh! You talk about Driver and Blade who were with Rex-Rex before Tora's daring rescue?"

"Yeah."

"Mehmeh... Tora would have to ask around town for info like that. Umm... Before we do anything, time for food! All of today's running around make Tora hungry. Need food to help Rex-Rex!"

Gramps added, "I'm a little peckish too!"

But he was eager, "Can't we eat later? I want to find Nia and Dromarch **as soon as **possible!" Then his belly rumbled, refusing to help him.

"Mehehehehheh! Stomach of Rex-Rex tell different story!"

He turned away, "I... I can't help it, can I?!"

Pyra cut in while he blushed, "Um, if it's all right with everyone, I could cook something?"

Rex turned around, surprised, "Pyra? I didn't know you could cook!"

"Heh! Well as- long as fire is involved, I can do almost anything! Fry, steam, grill -- you name it." And she summoned a fire that scared the guys jumping back one step,

"Whoa!!!"

Then she complimented, "If you want ice cream, though... You might have to find someone else."

Rex: "Well, you can't have everything."

Delicious foods always washed away one's worries and thoughts about anything, to focus on the taste and the smell of the food. As he scarfed down Pyra's dishes, he exclaimed, "Oh man! This is delicious!"

Tora felt like heaven, "Ohhh yum-yummy! So super very tasty!"

Gramps held and bit into the food the size of his torso, exclaimed, "Simply. Exquisite! I haven't eaten this well... in 120 years!"

Pyra was overjoyed by their comments. "Glad you like it! It seems like I did OK... I was worried I'd have gotten a little rusty over the years."

Rex rebutted, "It didn't taste rusty at all! Uh uh, I mean..."

"But Tora is curious. Pyra is fire-using Blade, yes? When Tora broke that water pipe, Pyra could still make fire!"

Gramps, whom lived that long, didn't turned his brain around anyways with his limitless wisdom, "Come to think of it, you're right. That Brighid, the imperial Blade, she used fire abilities... just like... Pyra, but the water... seemed to douse... much of her strength."

Rex couldn't understand, "So... what are you saying?"

Tora explained, "This world full of elemental energy called ether, yes? Ether, comes in forms like... fire, water, and wind. While battling, Drivers and Blades both draw power from ether. But... fire not good with water. Other Blade woman got splooshy with water, so... fire powers all damp."

"But Pyra and I were able to use our powers with no problem."

Gramps: "Indeed. They were unaffected."

"Why?" asked Tora, and they all turned to her. She hadn't had the chance to speak while they were speaking.

"Um, well, m-my powers don't... come from fire."

"Mehmeh? If... powers not fire, why look like flames?"

"Th-that... may be a little complicated to explain..." She dropped her head down.

"Go on then? Tora like complicated things a lot!" The excitement in his voice.

"Ah, w-well, u-um, I, it..."

"Knock it off, Tora. Can't you see you're making her uncomfortable?" Rex came to her rescue.

"Meh..." such disappointment for a geek.

"Everyone has things they'd rather not talk about. Right?"

"I'm sorry. I-I'm sure... I'll be able to tell you about it soon enough."

"Don't worry about it. Right now, we need to think about how to rescue Nia." Now that they're full stomach, they could come to plan for the urgent.

Tora accepted the topic, suggested, "First, we go around town, and find all information we can!"

Gramps wasn't sure that would work out properly, reminded them, "Hmm, yes. I daresay... that we're all wanted criminals... by this point. Pyra... sticks out like a sore thumb."

"I'm so sorry..."

"Don't worry friends! Tora has an idea!"

Dughall and his soldiers awaited Mòrag, walking by herself down the bridge at the port, before he started his speech of kissing up, "Special Inquisitor Mòrag! To what do we owe this extreme pleasure? Had we but heard of Your Grace's visit, we could have prepared a suitable..."

She grew tired of his flattery, cut him off, "I don't... stand on ceremony, Consul. I'd rather you just did your job."

"Y-y-your Grace? Someone of your standing deserves to be treated as such! You are His Majesty's representative! Please permit us to lay on a meal befitting Your Grace. Until then, we would be honored if-"

Brighid had resonated her Driver's existence, approached from behind, cut Dughall off once more, "You made impressive time. I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow."

That surprised Dughall, "Ohhhhhhhh L-Lady Brighid!"

Mòrag ignored him, replied, "If we have found the Aegis then there is no time to waste. But I fear the passage has taken its toll- on our engines."

That her target is same as Dughall was unexpected. He surprisingly stuttered, "The Aegis? H-h-how do you-?!"

What fly swirled around, cannot be extinguished. She strictly asked, "Is. There. A. Problem. Dughall?"

"N-n-... urgh... not at all, Your Grace."

"Good. Now, you've captured a Driver from Torna. I am going to speak, with her."

"Wha-?! Uh urgh Why do you want-"

"Dughall. I don't remember asking for your opinion."

"Y-yes, Your Grace! I'll take you to her right away!"

She wasn't even tied up, brought by two soldiers to Dughall's office where they gathered. The tiger was not seen anywhere near. Nia stare at Brighid for long; she turned to see what Nia got to say, but "Hmph!"

Mòrag asked, "So, you are the Torna ruffian. I must say you look a little... different from your poster."

"A LITTLE different?! Whoever drew that should be the one in jail!"

"Hahahah. Yes, I would be angry too."

"You can drop the friendly act."

"You won't name your friends?"

"My friends? I'm not so sure I'd call those trigger-happy Torna goons 'friends'."

"I see. I think we have our wires crossed here. I am not talking- about- Torna."

"Huh? You're not?"

"No. I was referring to your more recent, traveling companions. The Driver boy, and- his- Blade."

Subconsciously, she muttered, "Rex and Pyra?"

"Well. That was easy."

"DAMMIT!" From within her hearts, she can't believe she voiced her thoughts so easily.

Tora, meanwhile, found a little red robin hood attire to cover Pyra up. She exclaimed, "This looks like it could- actually work."

"Good idea, Tora!"

"Right! Let's look for friends of Rex-Rex!"

Information gathering was easy, and they got back around the table, discussing what they'd found. Pyra, with fear in her tone, voiced her feelings, "Nia and Dromarch, e-executed, It doesn't bear thinking about!"

Gramps rebutted, "But getting aboard that warship, will be no mean feat. We're going to need an ironclad plan."

Tora: "Army port... is under heavy guard..." The map of the battleship laid out in front of them.

Rex, without thinking for a second, blurted out, "I guess we'll just have to mount a full-on attack!"

Pyra immediately reject his stupid idea, "No, Rex! We can't put everyone in danger."

"Right, sorry."

Her eyes scanned the warship for more info. And one drawings caught her eyes, the aha moments came. "There! This is... one of the Grandarbor's{{footnote: The tree that grew in the middle of the town taller than all buildings in Torigoth, shielding it from the sun, remember one's description?}} roots, right? If this map is correct, it goes all the way from the quay... to the hull of the warship. And here. It looks like some kind of cargo entrance. Could we sneak on that way?"

Rex fell in sync with her, "Oh, right! No one'll spot us if we sneak in from below!"

Tora added, "Security light around this entrance. At night, not even workers here."

Gramps couldn't think of anything else, concluded, "Looks like this is our only option."

"Then it's a plan!"

"Meheheheh!" What is such evil laugh about?

"Tora?"

He immediately spit out, "Tora- have- something- to- show- you."

The curtain drawn apart and revealed what's hidden behind the wardrobe. Immediately in sight are two cylinders with orange ether flowing within, a metallic blue head wearing a cap, plus metallic artificial hair, and a red scarf wrapped around her neck. A flower decorated her chest.

"What's this then?" asked Rex.

"Nobody ever see this before. Secret of Tora. An artificial Blade!"

"An artificial Blade?" Pyra was curious. Never heard of it before.

"I can't believe it." Not even Gramps can.

"Tora have always wanted to be Driver of Blade. But Tora..." and he got depressed, "Ugh, Tora has no... potential, to awaken Core Crystal."

Rex immediately rebutted without a second thought, "How could you know that? Surely you just have to try, and- ooh... You did, didn't you?"

"Yes, one year ago, Tora applied to Driver recruitment man."

They already recalled what happened to the muscular guy this morning, Gramps felt sorry for him, "Oh deary me..."

Pyra felt pitiful for him, "Oh Tora, you mean you...?"

"It was bad. Tora had nosebleed for three days!" He, by himself, waggling and vibrating in his room alone, without anyone helping him.

Rex couldn't believe it, "Just a... nosebleed?"

"What. You. Mean. 'just'? People. Die from loss of blood, you know?!!!!"

"Yeah, but from a nosebleed?"

"Anyway, moving on!"

No, he don't yet want to move on, commented, "For a near-death experience, you're awfully casual about this..."

"ANYWAY!!!! Back to Tora's Blade." Please don't satirize me with dwelling on the topic! "When complete, even no-potential Tora can be a Driver!"

Gramps was excited. "This is simply incredible! You built this Blade from scratch, Tora?"

"Ungh, it was started by Grampypon and Dadapon. But... Grampypon die, and... Tora still not know where Dadapon go to..."

"Oh..."

With extreme conviction, he swear, "So Tora will finish Blade myself and become a Driver like always wanted! Then, Dadapon hear about Tora's success, and come back home, yes?"

Pyra felt touched by his conviction, "Oh, Tora..."

Gramps had questions, "By the by, Tora, this Blade... As far as I can see, it looks complete. What is there left to do?"

"Meheheheh! All Tora have left to do is buy missing parts! But... Tora have no money at all!"

"Oh, really?" Such a reason for Rex to expend on.

"Really." said he, turning around, convicted.

"Nothing? At all?"

"Not even one gold."

"So... you're asking for a loan?"

"UHHHH, not... loan, hehe. Um, closer to... generous... donation!"

Gramps knew it, and Rex face blackened, "Just like a Nopon, huhuh. Always shrewd when it comes to gold!"

"B-b-but if Tora completes artificial Blade, combat capabilities will be... big help on mission!"

"Well yeah, if it works, you may have a point..." but Rex had many doubts. "So... how much exactly do you need?"

Turning around his face, he said calmly, "Ohhh, no more than... 60,000 gold?"

He jumped with raced heartbeat, "SIXTY THOUSAND?! D'you want a kidney as well?"

Pyra urged, "Calm down, Rex. I think we owe Tora our help. If it just money he needs, I may be able to assist."

"Assist? How, exactly?"

Gramps flew in front of Rex's face, strictly speaking, "Nothing illegal, I hoooope!" The last word was said with a bang on his head when Rex 'swat the fly' down to the floor.

"Don't even joke, Gramps!"

She took down the earring on her right ear, handed it to Rex, explained, "This is a natural crystal. I-It should fetch around, 60,000."

Rex rejected immediately, "No way! We can't let you sell that!"

"B-but..."

The fly had flew back up from the ground, looking left to right as they argued.

"Nooo, it wouldn't be right! That's it, I'm paying for the parts myself!" He brought his nose high, trying to be 'manly' as the sole breadwinner in the house.

"Very admirable." said Gramps, but he knew his finance all too well.

"Meh meh! Rex-Rex is too generous!"

But he gritted his teeth, "This Blade of yours had better be seriously useful, though, Tora!"

"Leave that to Tora!"

"Well then, let's go, I guess!"

"Yippee!!!" And the two already went off, leaving Gramps and Pyra back in the house.

Pyra wasn't too sure about that. "Will they really be OK?"

"I suppose they'll have to be..."

Thunder raged the cloudy nights; inhabitants retreated to their shelters. The ether lamp hanging by a thread shook gently like a pendulum. After spending the heartbreaking 60,000 gold, they finally had all the materials back at home; and Tora was meddling with the installation while the others waited.

"OK! All finished!"

"It's really complete?"

"Very complete. Just need to apply energy charge to activate!"

Gramps reminded him, "Tora, our friends' execution draws near. There's no time to lose. Make haste!"

"I know, I know!" Full of nervousness, he put his wings on the giant switch, "Ugh, Okay artificial Blade, it's wakey-wakey time!" He felt nervous.

"That won't do, Tora!" Pyra cut him off.

"Huh? Wh-wh-what Tora do wrong?"

"You can't keep calling her 'artificial Blade'! As her creator, the least you can do i-is... give her a proper name."

"Oh, um, well... Actually, friends, Tora did think of name for her. Very good name."

Now that's solved, Rex exclaimed, "Nice. Then I guess there's no problem."

Gramps asked, "Well, why don't you introduce us, Tora!"

"Right. Away!"

The storm was at the horizon, approaching the town. Thunder heralded before the main army arrival. With full excitement, "Now... Wakey-wakey! Tora's very own Blade! Poppi!"

He pushed the switch, and all negative charges were absorbed by the core of Poppi, leaving favorable conditions to attract more lightning to fill in the gaps. After a few strike, even the switch itself was not electric-resistant, sparkled with electric. But the operation seemed successful. Ether bulbs flickered as electromagnetic waves interfere with their workings. The house shook with such striking force. Yet she hadn't woken up.

He called, "P-Poppi?"

And the most sexiest and cutest reaction came online, "How may I be of service, Master?" The love love in her eyes and the vibrant eroticism it exuded, flabbergasted Rex, Pyra, and Gramps.

Someone immediately panicked, getting caught on his feet. "W-w-w-WAIT A MINUTE!!!" He blocked their sight as he jumped up and down, "Ooh! Forget you... see that! Tora must... change the settings! Kh-khm..." He then turned it off, and Poppi went back to sleeping state.

"The settings?" Rex was curious, but he was too nervous to answer them, typing furiously on the integrated keyboard on the switch. After some reprogramming, he gave a relieved tone, or probably, just to cover his awkwardness, "Ahhahahah, th-this time- should be- OK... Second time go best! Powerrrrr... on!"

Again he triggered the switch without waiting for any potential investigation. Once again, lightning were attracted and shook the house once more as Rex waited full of doubt, and Pyra felt a little shy about it. Gramps felt about the same as Rex.

Slowly by slowly, Poppi tilted her head up, opened her eyes, and spoke with an AI sound, "Greetings, Masterpon."

"I... I did it!" Now the group saw magic before their eyes! "Tora's- masterpiece! World's first artificial Blade... Poppi!"

Rex: "Whoa!"

Pyra: "Incredible!"

Gramps: "That is really quite something!"

"Tora did good, huh? You impressed? Tora is a very big success?!"

Rex didn't hold back, "Absolutely! You're amazing, Tora! Though, I was pretty surprised before, when she was all... you know..." Scratching his head for that reaction. That tickled Tora's nerves -- they did not forget!!! Pyra eyed Rex from the side of her eyes, secretly trying to see what's his reaction to.

"Forget about it! That not Tora's fault! Th-that was, um..." Who can be the scapegoat now? "Grampypon! Grampypon Soosoo made settings huh! Yes, definitely Grampypon's fault!" Poppi eyed Tora from the side of her eyes at his reaction, and Pyra bent forward and gave him 'the look' in his eyes,

"Are you... sure, Tora?"

His backbone and muscle stiffened, but he cannot lose his image now, "Y-yes, Grampypon... heh yes..."

Then, Pyra eyed to the right, and Tora followed glance to see what's it. "MEHMEH!!!" The wardrobe to the right opened and revealed a set of maid dresses hung inside the closet. To the bottom laid bare some more dresses that didn't got hung up.

Cold sweat started dripping down Tora's as all his explanations seemed so effete, caught on the spot. He froze and tried to see what punishment Pyra would give him for that. She decided to let him go this time,

"Well, let's not dwell on that. Rex! Let's go rescue Nia and Dromarch!"

"No time to lose!"

"Mehmeh..." Oof. This will be the last time Tora got caught on feet, Tora swear!

Poppi did not dwell on it either, reintroduced herself, and gave him a bow, "Anyway, my name Poppi. Poppi try hard, to make Masterpon proud."

On the other side, Dughall was getting angry over himself, "DOIIJJJJJRRRAAA!!! That shrew thinks she owns the place, just because she curries favor with the Emperor. If only I'd got the Aegis myself, I could have returned home in triumph, or sold her, to Bana, for a TIDY SUM... But it's not over. I refuse to let this place be the end of me! I. Will. Not. Be left to rot in this flea-bitten backwater! CAPTAIN PADRIAG!!!"

The mirror used for communication was placed on his table. At his shout, Padriag came online and answered his favor, "Uh, yessir!"

"Double the number of guardsmen! Round up whoever you can find! We're going to find that Aegis before Mòrag gets her PAWS ON HER!"

"Sir! As you wish, sir!" Little did they know, Brighid was outside the window eavesdropping to their conversation, and his outvoiced inner thoughts.

"Watch and learn, Mòrag Ladair. Heh!" Brighid got all the info she needed.

Footnotes:

Prison Break, Pyra's Flames

"There is Titan warship!" The group was looking from the edge of the town. The ship parked in front of them, tall and huge.

Gramps: "Mmm. Quite the impressive Titan. Another sign that Mor Ardain... is readying once more, for war, with Uraya."

Rex glanced at something else, "Look! That root goes right to the ship, just like Pyra said."

"Yes, yes!"

"We should be able to climb down over here. Let's go!"

Pyra: "OK!"

"Off we go!"

Poppi: "Understood."

Reaching the tip of the root, the group looked up at the duct they were to enter from. "Looks pretty high... Gimme a moment." His anchor wheezed through the air straight up, as if gravity doesn't exist, and stick itself to the ledge. Retracting it and up he go with it. At the top, he lowered the anchor and called,"Pyra, you first. I'll pull you up, so hold tight."

She felt hesitant about the safety, or maybe the heights. Gingerly, she reached for the rope. After standing on it, Rex retracted the rope; but she does not move; he instead went down on the floor. "Gh... So... heavy!" With all his might he tried to pull, but to no avail.

"Wh-what did you say?!" Surprised, she jumped off the anchor, and it rebounded and shook him off balance.

"YOW!!!"

Gramps, his guardian, offered some lessons to teach, "Now look here, Rex. You can't. Just go and call a lady. Heavy."

Tora overheard, "Ooh, Rex-Rex a little tactless..."

Pyra covered her blushing face, "Huh Sorry about that, I guess I was just... surprised!"

Rex was panicking, "No no, it's not your fault, I-..."

While Tora was 'speaking the facts' and 'convincing', "Ooh, she heavier than Tora for sure! B-but that just mean Pyra grown to impressive height! It is good thing! Pyra should be proud!"

Poppi grown tired of listening, launched the rocket booster on her feet, and zoomed up to the entrance, slammed on the entrance duct, mentioned,

"Poppi pull Pyra up. Please... grab again." She took Rex's anchor and lowered it down. Once more, Pyra took it, hoping that nothing of the sort happening once more, hugged tight to the anchor.

Step by step, it surely moved.

"Niiice, Poppi." Rex exclaimed.

"Poppi artificial Blade. This is... noooo problem. Poppi could lift Gonzalez if necessary." Well, the blush on her cheeks when she heard herself being compared to a Gonzalez{{footnote: A Giant three-storey tall Gorilla.}}.

They were inside the ship, but do they know where to go? Twist and turn, rooms upon rooms with closed doors. Luckily, "Masterpon, Poppi can feel, there is a Blade in the vicinity."

"Huh, but... how can Poppi tell that?"

"Unclear. Poppi feel other Blade like wave in air."

Rex: "Huh. I'm not sure I get it, but... maybe Dromarch is nearby!"

Pyra suggested, "Let's try opening up some of these doors!"

Dromarch was resting while looking at his cell door when he heard footsteps outside. Whoever's coming, he had to be ready to poach him down. Ready at the door, it wasn't opening. Instead, a red dot grew from inside, larger and larger, like melting flames. His sense of danger stroke at the final moment, get down just before intense flame threw above his body.

From behind the door, Pyra nervously asked, "Umm... I-I didn't hurt anyone, did I?"

Rex: "Everyone check your eyebrows!" As they walked over the hole to check who's inside.

"I'm sorry! It's hard to judge the power sometimes..."

"Pyra! Rex!"

Gramps: "Dromarch! It's good to see you alive."

"It. Very good!" The potato popped up in front of those three.

"See, Masterpon? There WAS a Blade here." she and her Masterpon totally covered the view of those others behind.

Dromarch was so confused, "Master Titan and... Forgive me, but... who are they?"

That's an answer for later. They got him out of his cell, Rex asking, "Dromarch, we don't have much time. Do you know where Nia is?"

"But of course. We are in resonance after all. I feel her presence."

"Then let's go! We can't let her get executed!"

"Indeed. This way!"

They found it. Dromarch answered, "No doubt about it. That's the place." Two soldiers were guarding outside the cell, pointed their guns at them when seeing strangers incoming,

"Who are you people?"

"They are the terrorist's friends!"

Rex: "We are her friends, but I won't let you call her a terrorist" And the battle begun.

Meanwhile, inside the cell, Nia cuddled herself up, recalling memories. A long time ago, she used to cuddle up like now, and that's when Jin walked up to her, lent her a hand, and she took it in hers.

"Ahh!" The noise of metals clashing outside her cell shook her out of reminiscing. The handle of the door turned, and it opened up slowly. Her first thought was, "Jin?"

"You all right, Nia?!" But no, it's someone else. Rex had shown up, surprising her. That wasn't who she'd expected, but

"Rex, you..."

Dromarch walked in beside him, "My lady. Apologies... for my late arrival." And he bowed before her.

She took a while to muster the words of gratefulness, "Don't mention it. I didn't think anyone was coming at all."

Rex: "As if we'd leave you! 'Always help those who help you.' That's the second rule of the Salvager's Code!" And he lent her a hand.

She took it in her hand, replying contently, "Well, that's you all over, ain't it."

Meanwhile, "Rex-Rex! Tora has found escape route! Hurry, hurry!"

"A Nopon?"

Gramps: "He has been of some assistance."

Rex: "We made a new friend!"

Nia: "Uh, nice to meet ya."

Gramps urged, "Well, I think we've overstayed our welcome here. Time to get moving!" Meanwhile, above Tora, Pyra's head appeared; and above Pyra's, Poppi's. All smiling back at her. And Gramps had somehow climbed above Poppi's head, hung there like a lizard.

The escape hatch was just in front. While the light above is red{{footnote: Which one guessed is locked door.}}, perhaps they can break through?

"Not much further to exit!" exclaimed Tora.

"Not so fast, my dear intruders." The door opened and the Consul entered from behind, with a giant robot holding a giant hammer. "Letting a terrorist from Torna out of my grasp, would make me look very bad indeed. Ahhhh, that emerald Core Crystal! You must be the Aegis! Much as it pains me to admit it, it seems Mòrag was right on- the- money."

Rex was surprised, "You know who Pyra is? Are you trying to capture her too, you ratbag?"

"Now now, language. But of course. The most powerful Blade in all of history, with the power to rend Alrest asunder? Only a fool would know of that power and not seek to claim it! And I am no fool! Therefore, I will claim her as my own! You cannot argue with such logic!"

Such stupidity to argue logic in front of a computer. Poppi exclaimed, "Flaw detected in final step of logic."

That's not important. Nia stepped up, "Sorry, pal, but you've done alllll that capturing you're gonna do today."

"Such impertinence for a dirty terrorist."

Rex, drawing his blade with his fellow teammates, called out, "Let's go, Pyra!"

"Got it!" And the battle begun.

Mid battle, Rex exclaimed, "That coward... He's just hiding behind his Blade!"

"What? Does common sense elude you? A Blade can regenerate from any injury! Whereas if I die, my Blade will return to a useless core!"

Nia can't believe he think "So it's OK to use them as a living shield? You weasel. Even if they can regenerate, that doesn't mean Blades don't feel pain!"

"Hahahah, how cute. The fleabag thinks we should care about Blades' feelings. Hehhehheh, I wonder if YOU can feel pain!"

Defeating him, he can't believe what just happened, "How...? A mangy fleabag and a bunch of stinking kids... My triumphant return... to Mor Ardain... with the Aegis... Orrrrrgghhhhh" Like a drunk man on his way to unconsciousness; his Blade had been destroyed.

Gramps: "Hmph. Out like a light."

Rex: "That's what he gets for trying to execute Nia."

Nia had different info, corrected him, "What? He was trying to take me back to Mor Ardain." Then she realized, "Rex, this is a trap!"

"A trap? So they weren't actually gonna execute you?"

Tora nervousness skyrocketed, "No time! Talk later, Rex-Rex! We should escape!"

"Masterpon is right. Chance of reinforcements very high."

Gramps urged too, "Let us make haste. Getting out of town, would be a good start!" They quickly dashed past, leaving the still alive but unconscious two lying on the floor.

The back entrance was just a minute away, when blue flames rose and blocked their way.

Pyra exclaimed, "These flames again!"

Rex recognized it, "It's her!" Behind the entrance, Mòrag, holding the twin truncheon, entered with Brighid.

Nia noted, "And with her Driver too, this time."

Dromarch introduced, "That's Mòrag, the Flamebringer!"

"Mòrag?" Rex wanted to know more.

"Special Inquisitor, Mòrag, of Mor Ardain. The most powerful Driver in the Empire... and wielder, of Brighid, the most powerful Blade."

"So together they're, like... ULTRA powerful?!"

Pyra noted, "It looks like they were waiting for us."

Gramps agreed, "Yes indeed. I did feel like we got away a little too easily."

Mòrag now spoke, "I don't know why I expected Dughall to slow you down at all."

"It was you, right?" The puzzle is complete. "You're the one who spread the rumor that I was going to be executed, just to lure Rex and the others here!"

"You catch on quickly. Yes, you certainly proved useful. However..."

"Rex and Pyra are the real prize."

"Hah, not quite. The emerald Core Crystal... is the sign... of the Aegis. If that Blade is indeed the Aegis... then there's something I must, do."

"What do you mean?"

"The power to sunder Alrest itself... I cannot allow that to happen again."

Rex was confused, "Pyra, destroyed the world? Don't be so stupid!"

"You mean you didn't know? Five hundred years ago, during the Aegis War... The Aegis, sank three continents, to the Cloud Sea's bed."

Shocked, he exclaimed, "Three Titans... destroyed?"

"I speak naught but historical fact."

He and others glanced towards Pyra, hoping she would explained; but she looked away, not denying. But he chose to trust her, "I'm onto you! You want to use Pyra as some kinda weapon! We're not gonna let you do that!" He shielded Pyra behind him. She felt kinda guilty, but was surprised at her de facto partner's action.

"That is precisely the kind of scenario that I mean... to prevent."

"And what if we resist?"

Her truncheons split into many sections, extending into whips. "Then I will have to restrain you by force."

"In that case, I'll make this nice, and clear. You. Will. Never. Take her!" Pyra felt glad they'd chose to trust her.

"Hah! Then let's see... if you have the strength... to back up those words, boy!" And the battle began.

"ARGGGGHHH!!!" One whipping flames knocked everyone out of balance. Tora crashed onto Poppi, while Rex hugged Pyra, sword stuck on the ground as they dragged backwards.

"What?"

"Harrrrrggghhhh!" Mòrag came after him, and he pulled his sword to defend; but it was too late -- her strength was no match, knocking Pyra out of his chest, separating them.

was coming after him, the whip attacking as he pulled his sword out to defend. But the strength was so strong it knocked Pyra out of his chest, and both separated.

"Urggghhh!!"

"Pyra!" He wanted to reach out for her, but he had no choice. Poached by Mòrag, he could not divert his attention. Pyra, seeing him fighting alone, wanted to get on her feet and get alongside him.

As the fighting continued, Mòrag whipped Rex's wrist, and it caught fire. The pain he felt resonated on Pyra at exactly the same location as they cried out.

"Stubborn child. Why don't you just, give it up?" Defenseless, he rendered another whip, and he and Pyra again felt the same pain on the same spot.

"Grrrrrraaaaa!!!" Rex would not give up, stood up once more and went for Mòrag. "You'll never get Pyra!"

They separated some distance; she was still in full strength, while he was exhausted. Slowly, he backed up towards Pyra while speaking, "She's more than just the 'Aegis' or... some kinda weapon! She's a living being!"

He held out his free hand, offered it to Pyra. She took it on hers after some hesitation and encouragement from Gramps, get on her feet. Rex continued, "Pyra has somewhere she needs to go. And I'm gonna help her. I'm not gonna let you stand in her way!"

More flames on the sword he summoned, Burning Sword aimed at Mòrag. Yet for the ULTRA powerful, she defend it with no force, holding up her truncheon{{footnote: Truncheon and whip changed form very quickly at her will.}} and formed a bow shock as flames slid beside her.

"This is getting tiresome." She had had enough. "The power of the Aegis is formidable, but the Driver's skill betrays her..."

More and more incoming flames, but she summoned Brighid's flames and extinguished Pyra's. Brighid, entering the scene, warned, "Stay vigilant, Mòrag. An unknown power lurks within this foe."

"But of course! This Blade he calls Pyra... Your flames burn far stronger than hers. But... her flames hide something deeper."

Still standing, but already exhausted. Endurance was key, but they had little left. Rex hadn't heard the others voice for long, asked, "Is everyone... all right?"

Nia and Dromarch were just getting on their feet, the former replied effetely, "Hangin' in there!"

Poppi sit upright, bringing her masterpon back on his feet, and Tora exclaimed, "Those two... very strong!"

"I know. At this rate, we'll never... There has to be a way... Some kinda..."

Ding! He recalled the last time the water pipe burst and extinguished Brighid's flame the first time they fought with her. "She's a Fire Blade. We gotta find... water." He looked around exasperatedly, until a tank caught his eyes. "There!"

He gripped tight on the sword, called out, "Guys! Are you ready to run?"

Nia was confused, but "Hmm? Sure!"

"Then follow me!" He led them to the water tower, going around the flames. Behind the blue flames, Mòrag saw their silhouette moved, and she sliced away the flames shrouding their vision. The entrance that they'd been reaching for, they're finally out with.

"Ah, there they are." But they're not getting away, not so easy yet.

With his sword tucked behind, for effective running speed, he asked the girl beside him, "Pyra! Can you manage a full-powered blast?!"

"Yes! Maybe one or two!"

"That'll do!" Across the fields, they stopped by a lower pit, turned around after they chose their battlefield.{{footnote: Tora wield a giant drill weapon.}}

"GRRRRAAAAHHH!!! Take. This. YAAAHHHH!!!" Another Burning Sword, but she reacted calmly.

"You're getting predictable, boy!" Once more, the bow shock formed as they blocked the incoming flames. "Harrrghh!!" With one slash, the flames of Pyra changed direction; the remnants brushed through the feet of the water tower, scorching them hot red.

As she looked up, Rex already ran uphill, turned around, and aimed his anchor at the water tower, shouting back, "Look who's talking!" After firing the anchor and it stuck tight on the water tower, he called, "Poppi! Now!" With full power, he pulled.

"Roger roger!" Poppi flew and landed beside him, caught on the line, and pull the 'Gonzalez'.

"Ugh." They had a plan? She turned around and saw it. "The water tank? So that's their plan!" It'll take some time to topple, and their distance aren't huge; she can cover it in seconds, she believed, while the creaking continued.

Pyra, Nia, and Dromarch weren't letting them to. With full power, they pushed them back to the desired location.

"PUUUUUUUULLLLLLLL!!!" Straining his muscles until his vein popped; Poppi, the main power provider, with a final tug, it came under. Quickly, Rex and Poppi turned around and ran from the incoming shower, his anchor still stuck on the tower.

Mòrag and Brighid were just recovering from the previous attack and heard the creaking noise coming under. They turned around and found it's too late to run now. Water brushed through their body and extinguished the flames on Brighid.

"Urgh!!" Brighid held onto herself as the flames on her surface dimmed out, groaned in pain. "Curses!"

Looking up, Rex and Pyra had the final "BURNING SWORD!!!" aimed to finish them.

"ARGH!"

"ARGGGGGHHHH!!!" The final ripple and growing mushroom clouds brushed through everyone, grew as big as reaching the back entrance, engulfing all. After it dimmed, the remaining water flooded feet high, the soil having difficulty absorbing all of it at such rate. As Brighid climbed on her feet, her Driver commented, "I feel slighted."

"How so?"

"They actually... held back against me in battle." Her tone wasn't angry but excitement, like one hadn't met someone of one's level for a long time, and finally found an opponent of equal strength.

"You think that boy...?"

"Did you not see? He could have struck me with that blow, but he averted his aim."

It took Brighid a while to recall and muster her words, "He did have good instincts, too..." The water tank mouth was pointing at them.

Inside Mòrag, she recalled his conviction,

"And I'm gonna help her. I'm not gonna let you stand in her way!"

"The Aegis... If she is traveling with that boy, perhaps it is worth letting them roam free for a while."

"You mean...?"

"We'll cross paths again. And when we do, we shall see."

The night fell, and town was far behind. Looking back, they could still see the flares from ether lights glimmering in the distance, but there's no turning back.

Pyra commented, "I don't think they're following us."

Gramps, "Perhaps we're safe, for now."

Rex: "You're right. We should get some rest. I can't go any further." And he sat down on the grass.

Tora's face kissed the soil, "Ahhhhh... Tora is pooped as well... (yawn)"

Nia thought for a while, said, "See you later," and decided to walk away.

"Huh?" Rex was so surprised he jumped back up on his feet. What does she meant?

Dromarch explained while Nia walked away, "We are grateful for all you've done. We wish you well on your travels. Farewell." And he too turned around to catch up with her.

It took him a while before running forward, mustered his courage and shouted his conviction, "I want to reach Elysium!"

"What?"

"I made a promise. I'm taking Pyra to Elysium. It's just... She gave half of her life to save mine. I owe her."

Awww, so sweet. "Ungh, Rex..."

"But half the world seems to be after her. With the... Titans dying off, living space is running out. That's gonna start wars. And people need weapons to fight wars. That's why they want her."

"Hmph." Nia felt uneasy.

"If I can prove Elysium exists, maybe I can stop the war that's coming. But... Fighting Mòrag taught me something. I'm not strong enough. I can't do this alone. Nia, you're a Driver.{{footnote: Forget about Tora going in between Rex and Nia and danced, trying to held her back, and Rex shoved him to the side.}} We could really use a companion like you... if you wanted?"

"Elysium? Do you reeeeeally believe in that myth, kid?"

"Well, Pyra told me that she was born there. Yet here she is. So it must exist, right?"

"Hmph. Your logic is almost as good as Dughall's. Listen, Rex. I don't know if you're stupid or just too nice for your own good. But what if Pyra's just lying? What if this is all an act, and one day she turns round and stabs you in the back?" Her tone heightened, Tora and Poppi turned to see what Pyra got to say.

But Rex did not turn back, did not hesitate to rebut, "Pyra wouldn't do that!"

Pyra joked, "Of course I wouldn't! I don't have a knife."{{footnote: One don't know how to describe how she acted. But see it for yourself! 'Sheepishly' doesn't sound quite right...}}

Nia: "So... serious... She... Bwahaha! HAHAHAHAH!!! An emerald Core Crystal is the sign of the Aegis, huh...? Sure, why not. This could be interesting."

Rex: "Really?"

"My lady!"

"I kinda wanna see this Elysium for myself now. Maybe it really does exist?"

"It does!" says he with full optimism. And Tora and Poppi were dancing behind the scenes.

"An endless field of green among the clouds, eh? If the legends are true, even people like me..." Thus an official member of the journey.

A campfire set deep in the night. Tora slept on Poppi's hug, Nia on Dromarch. By the log, Pyra sat beside Rex, helping him bandaging his wounds.

"Arrrrghhhh!!!"

"Ah, I'm sorry. Did I wrap it too tightly?"

He tried to assure her, did some extreme maneuver, "It's fine! I'm fine! See? I can swing it like this and it doesn't even..." until crack, "Argh argh argh orgh urgh..."

"I knew it."

"Thanks! I feel much better now." The playful tone subsided, replaced by something more relieving and deeper.

"I'm sure that's Nia's poultice doing its job. Thanks." She shouted over to the ones having sleepy eyes. Her standing ears registered, opened her eyes and blinked back!

While his attention was there, Pyra was quietly wrapping the bandage around her own wounds as well. Only when he returned glance did he see it. Why did she said nothing, bearing the pain all by herself?

"Pyra, you're hurt too? Are you OK?"

"I'm fine. It's just a scratch." She reassured.

"Hey, let me help." Without her approval, he took over the bandage and her arm. But she happily let him, enjoyed their rare tranquil moments together. His face looked so serious, so focused.

"Thank you, Rex."{{footnote: But thanks for what, only she knows herself. A note to reader: not necessarily on the bandaging, though. Perhaps his trust despite? Or other reasons?}}

"No worries. Least I can do." The burning log cracks as they enjoyed their quiet moments. Until finally, "There, all done! How's that?"

She took it up to the sky, felt for a while before answering, "Hmm... Looks good. Um, Rex?" She moved her seat closer to his; he unconsciously bent aside a little, his body surprised at such intimacy. She put her hand next to his, side by side.

But his eyes was on her face; the intimacy mattered more than the similarity. She didn't look up, called his attention "Look. They're the same."

"Oh... uh... yeah... I... guess they are." It took the nervous, heart-thumping boy a little while to react to her words. Though she's not looking directly, she can see, from the side of her eyes.

"Huhuhuhuh!" She laughed off any nervousness in between, lowered any barriers previously raised.

Just then, wind blew and sent sparkles from the campfire up into the air, decorating the starry night with fire works. The glowing Titan meat looked like aurora. Their eyes lit up; too bad the rest were far asleep, except Nia, her final glance before dozing off. The two had quiet moments for themselves, both enjoying the fire works.

"So beautiful," says she.

"Yeah, it really is. I guess... that's probably because you made it, Pyra..."

"Huh?" What does he mean by that?

"AHHHHH, NOOO, WHAT? I DIDN'T MEAN IT LIKE THAT!!! You just, erm, really good at making fires... That's all..." He was scratching his head, not daring to look at her. Oh dear, what had I just said? He realized it could mean something else.

Was he blushing? Pyra tried to look carefully.

She decided to go with his explanation, with the flick of a finger, bling, a flames at her fingertip. "Hmph, it's... what I do!"

Putting down his blushes, he looked back with awe, just in time to see her blew the fire into the sky, spreading more sparkles into the night. The orange turned more orange against the night light. Even the World Tree in the distance had no fight.

Awestruck he was, such beautiful sights lit up the stars and the World Tree beyond. And together, their hearts.

Footnotes:

We need a ship

Deep beneath the Cloud Sea, where darkness ensued year long, a submarine cruised with the flow. A hatch opened and welcomed the Monoceros, an internal pool of water it parked along.

"Welcome home, Jin." Malos and his blade trailed behind.

"Hey, Akhos."

"I hear the Aegis awakened. Nasty shock for you? Orrrrrr, was it?" said the blue-armored guy wearing a pair of red-framed goggles with dark, short hair, wielding twin katanas stuck to both side of his waist. Genius always push up their spectacles when they'd something genius to say, "Of course, my script showed how everything would play out from the start."

"Sure, you say that once it's all over and done with. It's eaaaasy to act smug when hindsight's on your sight!" The Blade voice sounded from above; a hatch opened and she entered the scene.

"Shut your mouth, Obrona."

"I'm shaking to my core!" she swirled around Akhos, teasing him.

Malos had no time for play play, asked, "Where are the other two?"

"Mikhail's inspecting the Ardainian 'factory'... And my beloved sister is out hunting, as always. I'm sure she'll have found plenty of Drivers to chew up and spit out by now."

"She likes to hunt, all right. Not sure we can use all of those Core Crystals though..."

Jin changed the topic, "Do we know where the Aegis is right now?"

"Have no fear, Jin! Of course we know her whereabouts! Obrona?"

"Yeah, yeah..." She summoned ether particles in her hands and distributed them out, forming a light map of the Cloud Sea and the various Titans' whereabouts.

"Hm! It seems they're currently traveling away from the urban area of Gormott."

Malos was surprised, "Leaving the town? But there's nothing out that way..."

"Perhaps they're on their way out of Gormott itself," hypothesized Akhos. "Oh, and..."

"What?" asked Jin.

"It seems a certain... shipment, has set out."

Malos noted, "The Core Crystal heading to Indol for cleansing, huh? How pious of them. Shall we handle them?"

Jin denied, "I can deal with that myself. You concentrate on the Aegis."

Akhos, excitedly, "Understood. Well, I am looking forward to clapping eyes on the Aegis. By the way, what of Nia?"

"You know where she is?"

"Yes. Look. This dot here. Without a doubt, this is Dromarch's wavelength." That's the blue dot. "It seems they're traveling together, with the Aegis."

"With the Aegis?" Malos eyed sideways, to see what reaction Jin had for the girl.

"Huh. Do as you see fit." was his answer. Jin don't bother staying any longer.

"Understood. You don't, need to ask me twice." acknowledged Akhos.

Malos announced, "Right then. We're gonna take the Monoceros."

Jin, without looking back, "Hm. As you wish."

"Hey!" Malos called him on his track. "Don't, do anything too reckless." Do one look like one needed reminding? Malos watched him continued his trek without an answer, but a psychopath like him does not need one. His reminding is done, that's it. He and Akhos thus head back to the Monoceros, with their Blades of course.{{footnote: Obrona already dissipated the map. The submarine seemed capable to autodrive itself even without a passenger.}}

Morning sun washed afresh any gloomy feelings one have yesterday. What an adventure; but they had something more important ahead. Rex was looking at a gadget held in his hands that Tora never seen before, so he asked, "What is that?"

"A Cloud Sea compass," he explaimed. "A must-have for salvagers. It's sort of a map of the Cloud Sea. If you do this... And this... What's the- date today?" Twists and turn he did to the dials of the compass, then he asked Pyra to supply him with more info.

"Um... Amathatober 5th, 4058." Took her a while.

"OK! So now we put the date in... See?" He handed it out for them to view.

Tora was impressed, "Hoh, this is very clever!"

Gramps noted, "Looks like Gormott- is the closest country to the World Tree right now."

Rex: "All we need is a ship."

Dromarch brought bad news, "The army has... every ship in town in its grip."

Nia: "Ugh... We're kinda stuck."

Pyra don't have extra info either, "Seems that way."

Gramps: "Sorry, I'm no use now..."

Rex: "I know, I know. But I'm all out of ideas..."

"Rex-Rex need ship? Hoh, Tora have good idea!"

"You do?"

"There is ship builder living at Gormott Titan's bum-bum! Old- friend- of Tora's Grampypon. He called- Umon! Maybe he help if we tell him what's what!"

Sounds like a plan. Rex agreed, "Sure, it's worth a shot! Let's get going."

"Helloooo! Umon! Uuuumon?! Where is Umon?" Immediately entering the cabin, Tora called out loudly for his Unclepon, impatiently.

"Who is that? Who is noisy while I do my work? Tora! This big surprise!" Kids today, so impatient. He came out and eyed the group until he found the only Nopon in the group.

"Long time no see, Unclepon!"

"Yes! L-long time! About one whole year?"

"Yes, about that!"

"You became very big in one year, Tora!"

"Yes, Tora not littlepon anymore."

"And- Tora have lots of sidekicks!"

"Rex-Rex and friends are not Tora's sidekicks! They are real friends, Umon!" Introduction time. "Rex-Rex! Meet Unclepon Umon! He did great research with Grampypon! He is great builder of ships!"

"Hello!" Rex called out.

Pyra: "Greetings!"

Dromarch: "At your service."

Umon, scratching his head, "I see. Tora's friends! Tora has lots of friends. Very good! Tora has become fine biggipon."

"Eheheheh..." praises from elderly almost always resulted in blushing, feeling shy.

Back to the main topic, Umon wanted to know, "Well, Tora. Did you need Umon's help for something?"

"Well, we wanted to borrow a ship. From Unclepon Umon!"

"A ship? But there are lots of ships in Torigoth! Why hike all the way to bum-bum to see me?"

"Oh... erm uh uh... well..." What reasoning could persuade him?

No fear. Umon already had an answer for them, hypothesized, "Tora run out of gold, hmmm?"

"Umm... Yes! Tora spend all the gold on artificial Blade! Tora flat broke, like penniless pancake hmhmhm. I wanted to go on a little... boaty-jaunt to, ah... nearby place. But no money to go on boat!"

Nia felt very guilty with all the lying stuffs, quietly talking behind his back to Rex, "Hmph. I hope Tora can keep track of all of these fibs he's telling..."

"There's no other option. We can hardly tell him what happened in Torigoth, can we?"

"Y-yeah, I guess you're right..."

"So long as we get a boat out of this..."

Meanwhile, Umon was considering his request, "Artificial Blade, eh? Was this what Tora's Grampypon was working on?"

"My name is Poppi. Pleased to meet Unclepon."

"Yeeeeeessss! This it! This pretty mighty! Tora take after Grampypon indeed! Ohhh, well... How can I refuse Tora now? Tora may use Umon's ship, but there is problem."

"Wh-what is problem?"

To the left where the group were standing was the ship, wooden deck mounted on a Titan's back. Umon explained, "You seeeee, ship- not quite ready- just yet. Not much left to do! But work stop, because no- building parts."

"That's the only problem?" asked Rex.

"Correct! But that is big problem. Big like sea or mountain."

"You mean, all you need is some parts, then you can finish the ship?"

"It- just as you say, friend."

"Sooo, if we go and find the parts, then- you'll..."

"Of course! I make ship ready. Then you borrow!"

"Thank you! Come on everyone, let's go!"

Tora: "Yay! Let's go find ship ingredients!" What ingredients he needed, they don't even bother listening; miraculously, they already knew.

"So now we borrow Unclepon's boat!"

Rex: "Thanks, Umon! We owe you!"

"Indeed! Enjoy your boaty-jaunt!" And the ship departed the dock.

A sea of clouds stretching the horizon, on the surface and above the surface. They were the only moving Titan ship in the vicinity. Slowly but surely, they were approaching the World Tree, its trunk grew HUGE ahead.

"So that's the World Tree..." Rex was at the helm as he exclaimed.

Nia exclaimed, "Wow, I've never seen it so close before..."

"Me neither, to tell you the truth. But it's just as awesome as I'd hoped."

"The current's really strong... Fall in that, and you're a goner." The tree seemed to generate some force field, forcing water to fall off some distance away from its trunk, creating a vortex, forming great waterfalls.

"It's great that we made it this far... But how do we get over there? Any ideas? Pyra?"

She wasn't listening. Her eyes fixated on the Tree, her mind adrift. There was something she'd forgotten... what was it? "We..."

"Huh?"

Oh, shoot, THAT! "Rex! We need to leave! We can't stay here!"

"What, why? What are you talking about, Pyra?"

The ship started rocking. Looking out, tremendous waves were forming from below their ship, water splashing furiously on the windshield. Then, a purple drill-like snaky monster poked its head above water, targeting them. The ship shook with the waves.

"Ophion!" Pyra called out. But it didn't remember her.

Rex: "Ophi-who?!"

"QUICK!!!"

"Uh? Gotcha!" He steered the steering full right. The Titan pedaling the ship swam for its dear life.

Pyra continued looking at Ophion, trying to communicate with it. "Ophion! Stop this! What's wrong? Can't you hear me? It can't be!" But it's brain murky, accepted not any incoming messages.

Its giant tail slashed at the water, sending waves at the escaping ship. They braced for impact as rough waves shook the effectiveness of its escape route. Rex thought they were done for, looking backwards, the next strike would be their final. But it did not leave its territory around the circumference of the World Tree. "What was that? Thought we were done for! Huh?"

The danger behind had switched to the dangers ahead; the escape from the tiger's den forced them to enter the wolf's den. The ship jolted forward as water was sucked in by a giant figure ahead of them. Such strong current, the ship had no escape.

"Is that..."

Gramps recognized, "Uraya's Titan!"

"This is NOT GOOD!!! AGH! HERE IT COMES!!!" Along the tide their ship ride the currents, straight for the Titan's mouth.

"AGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!" All shouted preparing for the end of their dear life; The Titan swallowed them and sink back beneath the clouds.

"ARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!" The crash and bang as they slid down the Titan's gut and landed at an unknown body part of the Titan.

"Ogh Agh..." Rex stood up from the ground. He could see nothing in the pitch black, except for the light coming from the about-to-shut mouth behind them. Luckily, as a salvager, he always brought lights with him, which he clicked on his belly before shouting out, "Pyra! Anybody!"

"Ugh... I- I'm here." He turned and saw her cloth that glowed in the dark, slowly standing up and approaching him.

"You hurt?"

"No, I-I'm... fine."

"Ach, ow..." That's Nia.

"Meeeehhh..." and Tora. After they got up, they followed the source of the light and gathered around.

Rex commented, "Looks like we're all OK..."

Gramps: "Except for the fact that we now find ourselves in the belly of the beast.{{footnote: And how they're to tell Unclepon Umon that his ship is forever gone.}}{{footnote: And luckily, no acid inside the belly.}}"

"The beastie's belly?"

"This is the inside of the Urayan Titan."

"Meh meh!"

"Look."

"Tora think this not nice place."

Rex: "Is that how we're gonna end up?" Digested?

Nia: "Hey, Rex! Don't jinx us!"

Dromarch suggested their urgent task of survival, "Everyone. Shouldn't we try to get out of here? If I recall, the Urayans live towards the beast's back. There must be a way, up there."

"Yeah. Can't hang around here, for sure."

Poppi scanned the vicinity, then signaled, "Over there!"

"Huh?"

"Poppi see something over there. Someone coming this way."

"For real? Maybe you're just seeing things."

"Poppi is certain. Something is flickering over there."

Rex: "Flickering... you say? Some kind of ghost maybe?" He directed his torchlight towards that direction. Below their feet and around them, lush green grass grown inside the belly of the Titan despite the lack of light for photosynthesis, a mysterious phenomena.

Nia's shaky tone blurted, "S-shut up! There's no such thing!"

"Nia, you're not scared, surely!" He teased.

"D-don't talk nonsense, Rex! I'm not a kid!"

"You're scared! At last. Something Nia's scared of."

"Just. You. Watch... Hey! Where's... Pyra?"

"What?"

She looked around before announcing, "Pyra's missing."

He pointed his torchlight where he saw Pyra just now. "Uh... But she was right here. Pyra? Pyra?!" No longer there.

"Hey, what's up?" A small flame ignited behind him; his felt his heart jumping out of his chest. The flames lit her face orange.

"URRRRGGGHHHH!!! H-Hey, what's the big idea?! Don't wander off like that!"

"Nothing, really. I was just... taking- a look around. What's the matter?" she asked innocently, don't understand why the big deal.

"Heh heheheh..." Now Nia had something to laugh back at Rex. Right back at ya!

"What's so funny?"

"Oh, nothing..."

"Ngh... Titan's foot!"

Pyra made a larger fireball that shone the environment brighter than his torchlight could.

Gramps was delighted, "Oh! Things are looking brighter already."

"Poppi can help too." Two beams emitted from her eyes, barely added to the already bright illumination, but she joined in anyways.

"Now even more brighter!" exclaimed Tora.

Nia: "You two are certainly earning your keep. Huh, I wish I could say the same for old Dromarch here!"

"Apologies, my lady."

Rex: "See? Not so scary when you can actually see. Let's find the exit!"

"YEAH!!!" all chanted.

Translator's note on environment: Dark tunnels upon tunnels they went that lead them to the end, The Kingdom of Uraya.

Footnotes:

Vandham of Uraya

Exiting the tunnel, the surrounding now lit brighter. Nia noted, "There's some kinda dim light..."

Gramps: "If I remember, the Urayan Titan... has a translucent hide. I bet that'll be the light filtering through."

Rex: "So... the Titan must be above the clouds now?"

"I dare say!"

Pyra suggested, "If we can make it to the source of the light, maybe we'll find a way out of here."

"Hold it!" Who's voice was that? With tense muscles, they turned and saw the guys standing atop the ledge. He jumped and landed in front of the group. His blade, a bird standing on two legs with pouches on its breast, trailed behind. And his colleagues followed him behind, "Looks like a bunch of mushes I ain't seen yet. You gotta have pretty damn bad luck, ending up in a Titan's guts like this. Huh? That Blade... An emerald Core Crystal!"

Rex was triggered. Whoever mentioned that so far hadn't brought them good news.

"BWAHAHAHAHAHAH! So, the rumors are true!"

"Huh? What rumors?" wondered Rex.

"The tale that every Driver worth his salt knows. The legendary Aegis. Folks been saying she just woke up from a 500-year nap. Wouldn't have thought... she'd show up with a pencil-neck shrimp like you for a Driver, though." He ridiculed at Rex's size.

"You think I don't have what it takes?" He felt provoked.

"Nah, I mean... Maybe you could handle a normal Blade. But a greenhorn like YOU, with a beaut like HER? Don't kid yourself. C'mon boy. Hand her over to a grown-up."

"This crap is getting old. Leave her alone!" They got ready for battle.

"Y'got heart, kid. I like that. Yew, Zuo, you take care of the others. I wanna squash the kid."

"Heheh. Leave it to us, boss."

"We'll take real good care of 'em." And the battle begins.

"What's the matter? Are you the Aegis or aren't ya?!" Pyra was having difficulty transferring her power to Rex. The buff guy was slamming his dual scythe at Rex as he complaint, knocking Rex off balance as he defended his speedy slices. One more attack he realized his hand won't be fast enough to block; Pyra sensed his danger and blocked it for him.

She sensed something out of place. In her mind, "Huh? Something feels... different. This man, he's..." There's... no... She hadn't got time to think; he'd knocked her off.

"That all ya got, mate? Pathetic."

Being provoked, Rex drew more power, "We'll show you! We'll show you what me and Pyra are made of!" Continuously, he threw fireballs at the guy, which he adeptly dodged, and he gaped in surprise, "He dodged?"

"Course I did, kid. Any slower, you'd bore me to death."

"How about THIS, THEN?"

"Hmph." More tighter controls, he got slightly more serious, dodging most; and those he cannot dodge, he sliced it aside, redirecting them to behind him.

Power were sucked at a speed that "REX, WAIT!!! I can't supply power this fast!" But he wasn't listening; he'd locked his attention to teach the guy whom sneered at him a lesson. Seeing the guy's back on the rocks, he knew that's his chance.

"Nowhere left to run! Eat this!" One more Burning Sword and the fight would end! More and more power he drew, and suddenly, snuffed out. "Huh?"

The guy was waiting for his moment, his eyes fixated on Pyra's condition, and realizing his chance, "Playtime's over. Take this!" And he launched himself real fast at the defenseless Rex.

"AHHHHH!!!" He closed his eyes, awaited his destiny. After so many lucky feats, this time is the unlucky ones, eh! Gonna die, but, one really don't want to die. The World Tree, our dreams. Sorry, Pyra. Goodbye, World.

"Hah! If you're a Driver, you're a new one for sure. Drivers, see. We borrow our Blades' energy... channel it into our weapons... And let rip with an Art!" The scythe is on his neck, but it did not land. The guys sheathed his weapon after he opened his eyes, and continued lecturing, "But you gotta be careful -- there's a limit to it. If you go in all bull-headed like that, kid, even that Aegis of yours, is gonna run out of energy before long."

He nudged towards Pyra, and Rex turned and saw her panting ceaselessly to recover her breath. More confusingly, wasn't he about to die? "W-what???"

On the other battlefield, Yew and Zuo sheathed their weapons. All were confused.

Nia: "Huh? Uh?"

"The name's Vandham." the buff guy introduced himself, knocked his chest hard. "I run a little firm, out of the nearby village."

"A... 'firm'?" Rex wondered what that means.

He invited, "Come on! I'll treat you to some grub, as thanks for letting me take a whack, at the legendary Aegis! BWAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!"

Pyra regained her breathe, stood beside Rex once again, shared, "Just then... I realized- while we were fighting, I sensed from the very start, that... he didn't mean us any real harm."

They looked at the group leading the way up ahead, Rex commenting, "Hmm, he sure is a strange old goat, that one..."

As they approached the village, Vandham had listened to their story during the traversing, exclaimed, "Helluva story! So you headed to the World Tree to reach Elysium, but got swallowed up whole instead? You got some crazy luck."

Rex asked, "So, er, what were you doing back there, then?"

"Y'know, this Titan... It ain't too fussy about what it eats. I went down there to see if anything we might need in the village, washed up. But mostly I only found, YOUR sorry mushes."

"Yeah, sorry about that..."

"Here we are. Welcome to Garfont. Ain't much but it's home." Several people doing push ups with instructor sitting there overlooking them. Nopon and kids playing together at other places.

Pyra noticed, "The village has... a lot of children."

Tora added, "Lots of Drivers and Blades here too!"

Vandham explained, "We're in the business... of dispatching Drivers and Blades... all across the world. Most of the kids are war orphans. Took 'em in while on the job."

Dromarch rephrased, "So you're saying, that you, take them under your wing."

Yew supplied an answer, "Just till they're able to make it by themselves."

Zuo added, "Some of 'em, might grow up to be Drivers, like ourselves. But then others might become tailors."

Vandham: "Doesn't matter what they wanna do with their lives. We leave it up to them to decide."

Yew: "Aye. Us 'Justice Busters' just wanna help."

Nia commented, "Good eggs, huh?"

Vandham wasn't angry with the labeling, "You said it. I've been called worse. Come one. Let's eat! All this egg-talk is making me hungry." And he lead the way. Rex's head was on something else... this military thing... hmm...

The group sat around 2 tables at the canteen. Nia, Dromarch, Poppi, and Tora took up one table. Yew and Zuo were gone to do their work. Vandham, his bird Blade, Gramps, Rex, and Pyra at another table. Pyra then said, "I'm going to get some water. Vandham?"

"Cheers, love! Gimme a beer!" He finished swallowing before replying.

"Beer? Coming right up!" Cheerfully she called before leaving for the dispenser.

Rex was touching nothing on the table for long; his place still as they were. Vandham asked, "What's up? The grub don't suit you?"

"So... do you fight in wars too, Vandham?"

"You got a problem with mercenaries?"

"Are you trying to get us to join up?"

"Hah! Shrimps like you? We're not THAT desperate. Relax!" So not with mercenaries. Then it's with wars, soldiers, then.

"OK. Good to know."

"Hmmm... Rex, you're a salvager, ain't ya?"

"Yeah."

"You musta fished out your share... of military supplies, right? You fine with that?"

"Naaaahhh. I don't wanna get involved with it."

"It's all the same. Compasses, valves for ether stoves... Armies need all these things. The bread you're eating? It's made from ruska flour. Supplied by the Ardainian government. This world's full of war. Don't matter if you're a soldier or not. As long as you're alive... you're in the war, some way or another. Don't you think?"

Heavier and heavier his chest felt, shallower and faster his breathe. Just thinking about all the mechanical he'd salvaged up being repurposed, distributed to soldiers; he felt his hand stained with the blood of those hoping to live one more day. Guiltiness grew within, and desolation awash him, like a giant rock attached to his chest. "Um, I..."

"Life can be cruel. Crueler than you know. That's why I set up this little band, so I could protect, the people I care about." He listened, though yet not enlightened. "Rex. You're the Driver of the Aegis. The whole world's gonna try and scalp you, you realize that? How ya gonna live, when you got everyone... gunning for ya? It'd be easy to run. All you'd need to do is ditch that girl."

They looked at the girl whom were preparing the solutions behind the counter some distance away.

"Ugh!" But he could not, not after all the adventure and friendship and dependency on each other and promises he'd made with her. He'll bring her to Elysium, he swear. His de facto partner he'd attached himself to, the various ups and downs they went through together, stirred their lives from the repetition and boringness of money money money for those back in Fonsett his mind was fixated on before meeting her. She made his days no longer the same anymore.

Vandham could only help so much; he had to walk out of it himself. "Hmmm..." Then he abruptly stood up{{footnote: Even before his beer had came back.}}, shouted, "C'mon! Gotta get ready!"

"What? Where are we going?"

"Just follow me, kid!" And he and his blade walked off. Rex stood up, watched by Dromarch, while his other companions were still scarfing down whatever's on the table.

"We just got a job to go check out some kinda crazy energy effect. Somewhere up around the blowhole. Whaddya say? Fancy bein' a mercenary for a day?" The group had gathered just outside the village.

Rex, with some hesitation, "Ummmmmm, OK? But, I mean, we don't work for free..."

"Don't worry, kid, you'll get paid." Together they head for their destination.

A giant ball of wind swirling on their path blocked their rights of way. "Ahhh..." They wondered what was that...

Vandham introduced it, "An ether miasma. Take it this is ya- first one."

"Ether miasma?" Rex wanted to know more.

"It's a load of poisonous waste products, spewed from the Titan's guts. Y'know, when you get gassy? Kinda like that."

Nia: "Erm, is there a way through this thing? I can't see any way round it."

"Hey, no fear. Roc, mate! You're up!" He took out his twin scythe, while his bird Blade, Roc, flew into the air and slashed some air fang at the ether miasma, dissipating it.

Rex noted, "Miasma's died down!"

"Heheheheh! Yup, nothing to it. Let's roll!" And they continued on their journey.

Exiting the tunnel entrance, they saw "An Ardun... Just what we need. Rex, any good with that anchor?"

He looked at his anchor for a moment, assertively answered, "Yeah, I get by!"

"Hand that here." He agreed, detached it and gave it to Vandham. "Now watch." He point the anchor at the Ardun's leg; it swirled around, and he pulled, toppling the Ardun.

"Awesome! I never thought of using it that way!" Rex was impressed.

"The trick is to pull it taut at just the right moment." He then threw it back to Rex, instructed as the Ardun turned its attention to them, "Now you try!"

After the battle, Vandham praised, "You got it after seeing it once. Not bad, kid."

"Heheheh!" Felt high from the praise of an adult.

"Listen up, kid. Drivers, use Arts. But that doesn't just mean using the powers your Blade gives you. There are Arts that use your own strength, or take advantage of your enemy's. There are all sorts. A Driver's job... is to be smart with his Arts, and protect his Blade."

"Protect my Blade?" Rex hadn't yet understood. If they could fight better than him, why do they need his protection? Plus, in Dughall's words, if Blades can regenerate, isn't it logical to use them as meat shield?

"Yeah. It's a two-way thing, kid. You gotta be aware of the power comin' out of her. Don't waste it, channel it through your Arts, and protect her. If you can do that, then you're a true Driver, kid."

"'A true Driver'? I don't know. Am I ready?" He questioned himself.

"'Course you are. That thing from before? Took me five years to learn that."

"Five years?!" He was surprised.

"Yeah. But you saw it once, and then you aced it like it was nothin'. And, you got Nia and Tora in tow. Those guys are pretty handy. Kid, you got a bright future."

Aww, so sweet that "I think I'm gonna spew," exclaimed Nia.

Tora: "Biggipon has scary face, but he very nice!"

"BWAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! Sussed me out, furrypon!"

They'd arrived at their destination. A small Titan was lying beside the cliff walls, dying.

"Like I thought..."

"A Titan?!" exclaimed Rex. "So that weird power effect they clocked... Maybe this is the cause?"

"Yeah, sure looks like it." Vandham agreed.

Gramps inspected, "I'll hazard it wasn't death by old age, either. Might have been an accident... On the other hand, it might have been attacked..."

He was right.{{footnote: Actually, not. Just for the sake of causation, we said that. But they had probably nothing link whatsoever. Debunked in the next paragraph.}} The ground shook, and the source of the shockwaves was a giant arachnid with red coral-like veins growing out of its head, stampeding its pillar-like feet as it walked out from behind nowhere to face the group. Beside it was a humanoid bull-shaped face muscular Blade beside the Arachno.{{footnote: The Driver of the Blade is the arachno. Don't ask me why a monster can wield a Blade. Scary thoughts. They're so strong themselves and they can gain more power from their Blades???}}

Vandham noted, "Hey, look! Seems like this Titan dying off has stirred up something else!"

After felling the arachno and the Blade, the Blade returned to its Core Crystal; but unlike the Core Crystal that shone crystal blue, this one's dark, emitting no light. Rex noted: "The Blade returned to its core..."

Pyra: "So that monster was in- resonance with the Blade..."

Tora felt jealous, "Tora cannot resonate, stinky monster can resonate. Not fair!"

"But... Masterpon have Poppi!"

"Ohhh, Poppi..." So sweet they embraced.

Vandham brought their attention back to the Core Crystal, "If a Blade loses its Driver, it winds up like this."

Rex: "So, is it, like, dead?"

"Nah! The crystal'll start glowing again after a bit of time. Then a new Driver can resonate with it. But..."

"There's a but?"

"Its memory will be totally zapped. It'll be reborn, as a new Blade. Won't remember a thing."

"Yeah? That's pretty rough... To have all your past wiped out like that..." Rex agreed.

Hah. How she wished her memories are wiped out, "But memories can be... painful as well. They can be a terrible burden. And... a Blade- can live forever, as long as the crystal exists. It's just as well. Eternity is a loooong time to collect bad memories."

"Pyra..." Is that what she had been holding on to herself for so long, unwilling to yet share with him or anybody else? If the Titan had not triggered her, will not she hold on for longer, refused to voice it out, shouldering all by herself?

"I'm sorry. I was just thinking, sometimes being able to forget, is a... blessing."

Vandham urged, turned their attention to the task at hand, "C'mon! Leeeet's get finished up here!" He walked up to the Titan alone while the others waited. Blue flames and motes had been evaporating off the Titan, similar to Gramps not so long ago before he metamorphosed and returned to his larval state. Except, this Titan had no ability to metamorphosis like Gramps did.

Vandham returned with a glimmering light blue cubic Core Crystal. Rex exclaimed, "That's..."

Tora: "A Core Crystal!"

"What?!!" Rex was surprised. But how?

Vandham explained, "Well that's where they come from. Out of Titans. This one's brand new and ready to resonate. Like a big steak, right before you take that first bite. It'll probably end up buddying up- with a bunch of Drivers. Every time the Driver dies, it'll forget everything, and return to its core. Eventually, it'll resonate with a new Driver. Drivers dyin', Titans dyin'... The Blade- just keeps on livin' through it all... It's a never-ending cycle. An eternal history. As mortals, we'll never be able to understand."

"It's incredible!"

She's a Blade herself; she can relate. Worse, her previous Driver's long gone, but she had not entered a new cycle. She stood behind him; her current driver don't notice yet. How could he, when he only lived for 12, relate to one living for more than 500? Perhaps she felt herself related to the dying Titan, walked towards it closer while it was evaporating, prayed with closed eyes. Titan, O Titan, may your resurrection in the other World, live a more peaceful life, free of pain.

Meanwhile, in Rex's head, he wondered, "But... Pyra already had a body when we found her... Could her old Driver still be alive somewhere?... Perhaps..."

A long day's work deserves some rest. Back at the camp, Tora was jumping up and punching Poppi's palm held out, training. Nia was combing Dromarch's fur, while Vandham sat with his blade observing Rex and Pyra.

"Owowowowowo... ah..." Both had cotton balls on the end of a stick on their hand, helping each other cleaning their wounds.

Pyra: "Hey, hold still. I thought you were a tough salvager, Rex!"

"Gimme a break. Pain is pain, isn't it? How about you? Are you hurt?"

"Don't worry, it's just a scra-..." He 'gently' pushed the cotton ball at her wounds, and she lost her coolness, "AAARRRGGGGGGHHHHH!!! That was on purpose! You were hurting me on purpose, weren't you? Well?"

He shook his heads and hands vibrantly in denial. "I wasn't, honest! I was just rubbing the lotion in..."

She backed away from the incoming cotton ball, cried, "Rex! You rubbed it too hard! It hurts, see!"

And she got her 'revenge' with the 'same' force back at his wounds, "ARGGGHHHH!!!"

Vandham had got up and walked in front of them while they were teasing each other, shouted, "Hey, you two!" Their attention jolted back at him, as he instructed, "Gimme a look at that." And he loomed close to them.

They stiffen as he eyed Pyra's wounds, then Rex's. To and fro a few times confirmed his hypotheses. He can't believe what he saw, "What, is this? Haven't seen this before. Dunno why a Blade would be stuck... with a bunch of wounds... And they're exactly the same as Rex's!"

The two hadn't thought about that before, eyed each other innocently, and so the storytelling continued.

With all others, including Yew and Zuo, around them, Vandham exclaimed, "Incredible. Never heard of such a thing."

"It's all true." The X crystal in his heart shone the most brightly.

"I just thought it was an accessory."

"Vandham, that's not my style."

"Blades are supposed to heal up right away, no matter what the wound. If the crystal's in one piece and the Driver's alive, nothing can touch 'em. So why's she all bashed up?"

"That's just how the chips fell. It is what it is." He took it for granted, assuming it's something to do with the Aegis special entity.

"What it is, is a problem. It means if one of you kicks the bucket, you both do."

"You told me that a good Driver, always protects his Blade. So that's what I'll do. I'm gonna protect her."

"Eaaasier said than done, kid."

"Listen... Pyra... She saved my life, brought me back from the dead. So I won't die again! I've got to live, for her sake! Until we... get to Elysium, at least. We can make it together."

"Rex, you mean..."

"Going to Elysium? I can't let that stand." Whose voice was that? Vandham turned around and saw strangers in his village. "It. Won't. Do. A bunch of amateurs stealing the show? The script exists for a reason!"

"Akhos!" exclaimed Nia.

"Please speak only when you're spoken to, traitor."

Obrona chimed, "Traitor traitor TRAITOR!!! Nia, you're one of the baddies now. You villain! Teehehehe!"

"I didn't betray anyone!"

Akhos: "Then why do you stand with them? You think that is where you belong?"

"B-b-but I-I..."

Vandham was angry, "Hmph! Who are these goons?"

Rex explained, "Torna. They're trying to get their hands on Pyra."

That enraged him further, "TORNAAAA!!!"

Nia: "Akhos! Just, tell us, what you're here for!"

"Well, the Aegis, of course. I just had to come and see the leading lady with my own eyes."

"Jin put you up to this?"

"Well deduced. Oh, by the way... His orders were to deal with you in whatever manner I see fit. So... you know what that means."

"He wouldn't... You're lying!"

"Why the surprise? Did you think he would still care about you? Ohhh, to live in your reality..."

"Angh!{{footnote: Like a cat non-meow crying out.}}"

"Well well. Your part in this play is coming to an end. So! Time for you to shuffle off the stage."

"HRRRRRNNNGGGHHHH!!!" How dare he treated this place as his home. He's not welcomed here, enraged Vandham even further.

Rex asked, "What's wrong?"

"I know the name Torna. They've taken the lives of too many Drivers. Including some of my crew. Good people. Rumor says it's because they're collecting Core Crystals. So... if this Akhos is one of them. Yew! Zuo! Get everyone out of the village!"

"Yes, sir!" both chanted.

"You ready?"

Rex: "Ready." And they had to fend them off before the others get to safety.

Pyra: "Got it."

Nia: "Thanks for this."

Rex: "No problem."

"It'll be tough. His Blade, Obrona... She can manipulate the ether in the air. It lets him counter elemental attacks by generating fields of the opposing elements!"

Vandham: "Finally, a decent opponent for a change! Let's go!" And the battle began.

Halfway through the fight, Akhos was excited, "Such an honor! Sharing a stage with the legendary, AEGIS!"

He dashed forward quick, slashed Pyra's torso. "ARRRRGHHHH!!!" as she bashed against the rocky walls, hurting him as well.

"Ugh!"

Akhos noticed, felt confused, "Huh? Why would the Driver..."

Obrona noticed, "It seems... that they're taking each other's damage, somehow." The red particles filled the vicinity, controlling the ether. That observation excited Akhos more. He deduced,

"Ahhh... So that means that the Aegis... Is a mere mortal right now..." She clung to her pain, struggled to stand. But she could not yet fall, lest the enemy took her away. Step by step, he aimed at her, "In that case, a little more damage, and she'll be easy to deal with!"

He ran towards her; she reacted quickly, dodged a thrust that ended deep into the rocks behind her. Against the rock he slashed, as if it were made of tofu, running after her despite all the frictions. "Hah!" She dodged once more, but he went back for her. Her body wasn't listening to her commands; she could not dodge the next slashes.

"Ungh!" Straight at her, an X cut. "ARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!" And she temporarily went unconscious, fell to the ground.

"Pyra! Ungh!" He tried to went after her, but felt a jolt in his chest, dropped and knocked his head on the ground. Akhos clashed his dual swords together, sharpening them, and desired to finish her. The slash was blocked by a growing shield, which grew into huge winds and pushed him back.

"Hngh!"

"Kids these days, I swear! Can't leave you alone for a minute!" Vandham entered the scene.

Rex: "Could use a hand!"

"Leave it to me. I'll take this dog down!" And he launched a sandstorm at Akhos and Obrona.

"Hngh!" Akhos easily sliced the sandstorm to nothingness. He saw Vandham threw his dual scythe up into the air, which Roc caught, swirled, and launched a giant sandstorm tornado at the two.

"Ugh!"

Obrona: "UAAHHHHHHHHH!!! What's happening?!" The swirling was so strong she started swirling with the tornado. Her red particles had dissipated to nothingness.

Akhos was even more surprised, "What? The ether flow's disturbed! Grh! How am I supposed to deflect now?!"

Vandham: "You and your fancy moves. You lack- grit." No deflecting, he aimed to attack him face to face. Passing through the sandstorm, he did not see Dromarch biting Nia's ring in his mouth poached, sliced at him just after he exited the sandstorm.

With a handsome roll and getting back on the ground, Obrona joined him, he complaint, "Huh... Just too many of these bit-players..." All had been facing him alone. It's time to leave. "My interest has waned. Obrona! Perhaps its time for another tale."

"Meeerggghhh... Sure, sure." And they escaped.

"Tch." Vandham was unwilling to let him go, but he could not easily fell him; plus, they had burdens with them. Nia, on the other hand, had more time thinking about Akhos's words from Jin, now that the battle's over and it took over her mind. Dromarch sensed her sadness, didn't disturb her.

Pyra temporarily regained consciousness, lumped forward, seeing everything around as stars and blurry, one step by another, like a dehydrated person in a desert whom cannot find water. She fainted a few steps later, the sound of her dropping to the ground alerted Rex, and she ran for her, "Pyra!" embracing her within his arms, "Pyra! Pyra!"

No sign of her waking up. They'd brought her back to her bed, and his team gathered around, looking after her. He was on the alleyway outside the room{{footnote: Enter the alleyway through a door from the outside, and the alleyway had access to rooms.}}, looking afar, turning around and walked over to Vandham waiting inside the door.

"How is she?"

"She's not badly hurt. Dromarch... thinks she just needs rest."

"That's good to hear."

He blamed himself, "Maybe... I used too much power again..."

"Hey, Rex..."

"Hmm?"

"Know what the difference is... between me and the Akhos fella?"

"Well, he's a bad guy, trying to get Pyra... and you're... not?"

"Hahahah!!! Thanks for the vote of confidence, kid. What if I told you... that we weren't that different?"

"Huh?"

"My crew at the village, we think we're fighting for justice. But a just fight? I'm tellin' you now, there's no such thing. What people call justice? It's just an excuse to fight. War is war. The more you stand up for yourself, the more people wanna fight you. Before you know it, you're in a war... Listen. All I'm saying is, we got our fight, and he's go this."

He can't put himself in Akhos's shoes, nor view Vandham the same as Akhos, rebutted, "But what he's doing is-"

"Yeah, it's bad. But war ain't about right and wrong. Power. That's all it is. And power can take many different forms. It depends on the heart of its wielder. If we don't use our power, just 'cos we're scared of it, we're done for. As for who's right... and who's wrong... No one knows for sure. So, all we can do, is protect... what's important."

"I think I understand." He turned around and looked through the door where Pyra laid.

"We all got our own war, kid."

"My... war?" The seeds had been planted, though it needs time to germinate. He may not yet understand, but it won't be long. The roads they walked were the water and nutrients cultivating the seed. Only in continuing the walk can he understand, what does she means for him, and he for her.

"Good morning!" Pyra walked into the boys' tent with Nia and Poppi.

Rex was overwhelmed, "Pyra! Feeling better?"

"Yeah! I slept- so much!"

"Good. Glad to hear."

"Also... Nia's got something to talk to you about."

"She does?"

"Yeah. Go ahead, Nia."

"Ah, erm..." In front of so many people? She felt shy. "I... Rex... I-I-I want you to come help me."

"Ermmmm, come where?"

"To Vandham. I need to tell him about... my past with Akhos and all that lot."

"Ah, sure! If you'd like me to, I will!"

"Thanks!"

Pyra shared, "Nia... originally said, she was going to go alone. But I said- maybe it'd be better- if you went along too."

"Er... Maybe I should explain... Vandham... He... kind of scares me a bit..."

"Hahah! I get it!"

Vandham was at the training ground overlooking the new recruits training when everyone approached. He shouted out, "Oh, it's you guys? What got you out of bed so early?"

Rex urged, "Nia?"

She walked forward and took the stage, "Thanks for yesterday. You saved our skins. That guy, A-Akhos, I mean... I wanted to tell you about him... you see... Thing is, we used to be..."

He cut her off, "Being a mercenary, you meet all kindsa different folks."

"Huh?"

"Your country, family, money... People got plenty of reasons to fight. Like fightin' for a special girl. I see that a lot. Though not every girl has a strange crystal in her chest, eh?"

Rex stuttered, "Y-y-you mean Pyra? W-we're just..."

Vandham assured, "Nia, you're with these guys right now. That's what matters."

"But... aren't you..." Feeling so confused. She came to share her story, to find his apology; but found out he'd apologized her for being a member of Torna before she had the chance to explain.

Vandham changed the topic, "Anyway. Rex, weren't you saying you wanted to get to Elysium?"

"Yeah... But, we hit a snag... With a monster like that in the way, it's impossible. No Guild ship's getting close to it- without going down."

"Well, I've got an old mate. In the Urayan capital. Got a feeling he might know a way through."

"Really?!!"

"Yeah! I gotta go there anyhow. So I could introduce you."

"Vandham! Thank you!"

"Nah! It's destiny or something. Don't sweat it. Get your stuff together, and meet me by the village entrance." And he walked away.

At the village entrance, the group and Vandham met Yew and Zuo, biding farewell. Vandham: "Time to head out. Yew! Zuo! Take care of this place, yeah?"

"Nae worries. Leave it to us, Boss!"

"Boss. You're in a good mood, somehow!"

"Eheheheh!! I guess so. Well, take care!" And they took off, with Yew and Zuo watching them off.

Unbeknownst to them, behind the rocks outside the entrance hid 2 people also silently following them. Hoods over their head, one buff muscular guy strapped the weapon behind him; presumably he's a Driver. The other green hair, wearing huge glasses, presumably his Blade. They silently trailed behind.

Going to the other side, a Titan ship was flying above the Cloud Sea. Emergency alarms blared as the ship was unstable, tilting to its side, on the verge of shipwreck. Soldiers gathered from all chambers and laid out their defense; but Jin sliced through them all without a second chance. Every step he walked, at least one soldier will go down, paving a path of meat. So quickly his sword sliced through each of them they didn't feel their flesh cut into pieces. The Blades had not yet reacted, returned to their Core Crystals as their driver dies without a chance.

He arrived at the door which he came for. Multiple slices cut it into pieces; he entered and saw all the crystals, rows upon rows, cabinets upon cabinets. A few moments later, the whole Titan ship explode, went down, and plunged straight into the ocean, never to be heard again.

Footnotes:

Bringer of Chaos, Fonsa Myma

Everyone was quietly traversing to their destination when a laugh intruded the silence, echoing in the environment.

"Ahahahah! Look like all the chat about the Aegis was true!" The group searched around to find the source of the voice, to no avail.

"Who're you?" asked Rex.

He revealed himself, got himself in front of them. That's the muscular man and glasses girl that followed them for long. "That's a heavy burden you have there. Sure you're up to it, pipsqueak? See sense, step aside, and let the big boys take charge. C'mon. Yield the merchandise!" Their show would not be perfect without the body language dabbing and zabbing.

Stars swirled in their head, "Huh? What? Vandham, do you know this guy?"

"Never seen him in my life."

"BAH!!" And both removed their hoodie, revealing themselves.

"HUH!!" What's with the sudden jolt?

The man had an eyepatch covering his left eye, like a pirate, with scruffy hair, and his shirt doesn't zip in properly to show his muscular chest. A belt strapped across his chest, to hold the weapon behind him. The girl had a lightbulb on her head and her elbow, green hair, probably his Blade.

Rex: "Wait... are you..."{{footnote: Gramps climbed out of the helmet to look closer.}}

Hah, finally! Finally, someone who recognized the big boys, huh! Never knew one's so popular that you'd know us. Come one, don't hold back your praise! One's waiting! "Huh."

"Uh..."

Broke their pose. The group tilted their head, he and his Blade overreacted by tilting their whole body. Such incomplete sentence, how dare you!

Talk about slipped waist, he had to support himself to get back up. The fury burnt in his chest, raged through his skin, and he blurted out, "You really are a bunch of rinky-dink, bogus, two-bit, no-mark Drivers, aren't you?" Catwalkingly, showing off his chest, he introduced himself, showering the group with his saliva, "Behold the mighty... ZEKE. VON. GENBU! BRINGER OF CHAOS! Mostly known as Zeke. And often addressed as... THE ZEKENATOR!!!"

"Behold, my Blade! Pannnnn-doria!"

Wait, one more; the weapon he wiped and clean and polished and waxed everyday deserved its own introduction. He pulled it out from behind, aimed the shiny parts at the group, "And this is my sword, the Purple Lightning Dreeeeeeeam-smasher! If you want a taste, come- and- get it!"

So dumbstruck the group had not yet recovered from what to say of this duo. Rex took the calm approach, acknowledging their need for mental hospitality, replied, and walked past them, "We're good." His friends followed.

But no, how could you not give me your attention? Where's your respect for the big boys? How could you? His stuttering head tilted as he zapped onto Rex's location, "Good?! No! W-w-wait..." With incredible speed, he rounded around and landed in front of them once more, "Wait! You BARBARIANS!!!"

Nia blurted out, "This guy... I'm tired of him already."

"Gah! You think you lowlifes, can lick the three of us?"

"Three of you? I count- two. Lost someone?"

Blink! Wait, oh dang, how could we forgot to introduce him. Awkward... But it's OK, if one don't feel awkward first, it'll be them who feel awkward. Regaining his posture, "Huh? Oh, get a load of this... Our beloved mascot... Turters, REVEAL yourself!" He searched his chest for Turters here and there, to no avail. The panic air took over as he and Pandoria started worrying, "Huh? Turters? Turters? Turters, w-w-where are you, boy? TURTERRRRRSSS!!!"

Eager to help, the group looked around to see if there was anyone moving. Then, Pyra felt something touching the bottom of her feet. She backed her feet away from it, looked down, and a green turtle was crawling towards her. Her heart melted, as she took it to her hand, caressing it, "Oh! Hello, little guy! How are you? What are you doing, out here all alone...?"

Zeke was on the ground searching for Turters when 'little guy' struck his chord. With a zap, his head swung into position and saw the beloved Turters she was teasing with her little fingers.

"Ah-ah-ah! Turters!"

The speed he threw himself in front of Pyra and snatched Turters away from her, "Handling a man's turtle!" She was awestruck, saw him dashed back to where Pandoria stood; and they rejoiced the safe return of their beloved mascot.

Rex couldn't understand, "Urrrr... He could have just... grabbed Pyra there. Why'd he go for his turtle instead?"

Nia had had enough, "Ugh. What an idiot."

Blink! You call a man 'idiot'? How dare you, BARBARIAN, calling the ZEKENATOR an IDIOT!!! He compressed his anger, called out, "...Gah... Listen, whata- whatever. She'll be mine soon enough!" Pointing at Pyra. "GOT A PROBLEM WITH THAT? THEN COOOOOME AT ME! Andddd DON'T HOLD BACK!!!"

With full mighty force, he pointed his sword once again at them, not forgetting to wink and tried to use his handsomeness to lure Pyra.

Nia couldn't distinguish between seriousness and playfulness anymore, "What! Is this guy, for real?" But they summoned their weapons anyways, prepared for battle.

Dragging along the ground, he was somewhat tired of the battling. "(pant pant pant) G-good try. Not bad. Bu-bu-bu-bu-but! Wipe yourselves down, and get ready... for my super-ultra-MEGA-MOVE!!!"

Nia impatiently urged to finish this quickly, "We're waiting with bated breath. For your super-duper-whatever."

How could you? How could you? How could you? Electric sparkles on his body surface as electrical ether elements gathered at incredible speed. "You asked for it! HYYAAARRRRGGGHHHH!!!" The sparkles it released they had to shield their face from the tingling shock of electric sparkles. Thunder raged from above the sky as he drew ether energy at immense speed, charging his sword to its maximum, and shouted,

"BRINGER OF CHAOS!!! ULTIMATE LIGHTNING FURY SLASH!!!" Bang. He carved a letter on the ground; and he missed the group, deliberately or carelessly.

The electric sparkles dissipated not longer. He got up with his sword still stuck to the ground, "Huh!" Scared now? Have you seen the move by the big boys? Now you'll hand over the Aegis?

"Um..." Unbeknownst to him, the group backed away one step; Pyra tried to remind him, but he was too busy showing off he did not notice the crack on the ground where his sword hit. Grinning at them, he suddenly felt the ground trembled below him,

"Whoaaaaa!!!" The crack grew larger and larger as they tried to balance themselves, until the whole cliff collapsed, "WRRRAAAAAGGGHHHH!!!" Bringing the chaos and rocks away with them to the lake below.

The group was dumbstruck, Rex confusingly asked, "Wh-what just happened? They..."

Nia: "Ugh... What an idiot."

Vandham was satisfied with the entertainment, "Don't see that everyday..."

Nia urged, "Come on. That's enough nonsense."

Dromarch agreed, "Indeed."

Rex looked at Pyra and 'reluctantly' leave. Hopefully the two was alright... Poppi watched the group's reaction before following, step by step, swinging her hands robotically. None leaves a second thought of his fate.

The watery village by the entrance leading to the top. Buildings stacking on top of each other, accessible by stairs. This, is Fonsa Myma, Capital.

Turquoise grass paved the various rings of fields before leading them to the entrance to the City. At the dock parked a giant new-looking Titan ship, unloading cargoes, or maybe loading cargoes. Salvagers were gathering outside, chatting. The group was near the ship.

Dromarch noted, "War, with Mor Ardain, is looking more and more likely by the day."

Vandham added, "Looks like they've expanded the military program. That's a lot of warships."

Poppi noted, "These ships, look different to normal ships."

"Yeah. We don't much about with our Titans much. No need for it. Urayans like things pretty natural."

Rex shared, "I've seen Urayan ships before, back in Argentum. It's like the total opposite of how the Ardainians use them."

Dromarch suggested, "That could be one reason they're- always at each other's throats."

Gramps added, "They've been like cats and dogs for a long time..."

Nia expressed, "Well, from where I stand, the Ardainians are worse. All that metal's just bad taste."

"It's easy to think that way, but you're not considering, how the Titans themselves feel."

"Huh? Don't all those modifications hurt?"

"When Titans live with humans, that's just the way it is."

"Hmm..."

"I used to have a hut on my back, and a crane, stuck where the sun doesn't shine. I never complained, not even when Rex fired up a grill on my shoulders."

Rex rebutted, "Hey, you used to like that!"

"Mm... Well, yes, I did like that. In fact, I miss it..."

"If I did that now, we'd end up with a roast Titan!"

"Indeed!"

"Uhuhuhuhuh!!!" Pyra couldn't help but giggled.

Entering the city, people were queuing in front of a reception desk.{{footnote: Yes, reception desk usually build inside a building to greet you when you enter it, but who says you can't build one at the front door of a city to greet you when you enter the city?}} Rex wondered, "What's that?"

Vandham explained, "It's a distribution center. The government tries to ration out what little resources they have. In practice, it's just first come, first served."

Just then, the girl with green hair received, "OK. That's the last one for today."

"Hah!" She felt gratitude; finally, one more day without fasting. But before her hands could reach it, and her dreams could accomplish, someone buff knocked her aside; she went down and kissed the ground as the buff guy took her place.

"Ah!" Pyra's heart triggered and she went for the girl.

The buff guy took the cup at hand, complaint, "Come on! I'm a soldier! Been busting my gut for this country! That should be going to me. Not the likes of you!"

The girl got back on her feet, felt too scared to voiced that's what she'd queued long to get, and felt she shouldn't go away to give up what's deservingly hers. Tears were to roll down her cheeks; the soldier didn't like that look, "Uh? Don't look at me like that! Respect your elders, you snot-nosed BRAT!!!"

Pyra got beside her and questioned, "Are you OK?" Then, she turned to the soldier, scolded, "What do you think you're doing? She's just a child!" Rex came forward to protect them.

"Whaaaaaat?!" Can't believe it. Everyone's stomach's rumbling and you care about a child or an elder or an adult or what? Come on, my belly's more important than them. "Huh? Huh? Who the hell are you?"

The rest caught up from behind, with Nia persuading, "Rex... This isn't our business. Leave it!"

"Urgh! Being an adult isn't just about barking orders. Sometimes, you need to help someone weaker!" shouted Rex to the soldier, not listening to her.

"Urgh! **Shut your face! You don't know, what the hell you're talking about!" And he summoned his weapon, twin ring, and his blade, a standard tiger. And the battle begin, with others originally in line and those distributing already gone, none of their business.

"Huh Huh... Wh-who are you?" Then, he looked closely at Pyra, backed a few steps, "Huh... Th-the color of that crystal! You're...! ERRRRAAAARRRGGGGHHHHH!!!" And he ran away, up the stairs.

"Not good. He'll be bringing others before long." exclaimed Gramps.

Vandham noted, "The rumors about Pyra must have traveled pretty far. Even grunts like him have heard 'em."

Pyra felt "Sorry... I guess, I should have used the cloak...{{footnote: Yeah, the cloak from Tora.}}"

Poppi thought more, "But, who spread rumors?"

Vandham: "From what I hear, it's some... fancy-pants Nopon merchant."

"A Nopon merchant...?" Who can it be? Rex was thinking hard about it.

While he was going through the list of those he'd traded with before, the girl they saved went up to Vandham and called out, "Excuse me, Mister Vandham?"

"Uh? Oh! Well, if it isn't Iona! You grew a fair bit! How's Grandpa Cole doing?"

She dropped her head, and he read it, "Ah... Not too good, then."

"Who's this?" asked Rex.

"Huh? Ah, this is Iona. That old friend of mine takes care of her."

Pyra walked up to her, bent lower to her level to look at her face, greeted, "Hi, Iona. Great to meet you!"

Vandham urged, "C'mon! Let's beat it before those soldiers show up."

"Hmmm." The group was led outside a building that looked public. Outside the building was some drawings lining the walls, and a mannequin figure looking towards the building was placed in front of the door.

Dromarch asked, "Is this... some kind of theater?"

Vandham acknowledged, "Yup, it's a theater, all right. The guy we're here for leads the troupe here."

Rex: "Ahhhhh. Actors, eh."

"And right now... they're in a middle of a show... Well? Wanna take a quick peek?"

Dromarch read the title, "'The Heroic Adventures of Addam.' Might be interesting."

Her smiles dimmed. Addam... memories buried deep upon eons and eons of more recent ones rushed back, awash her brain. 500 years of reminiscing, he could no longer return; the short-lived of that era had banished in dust and clouds, only their memories retained.

"I've never been to the theatre before!" shared Rex.

"Neither has Tora!" as he bounced up and down.

"Let's do it! Nice and quiet though. Looks like it's pretty packed today."

"OK!"

"Mehmeh!" And they already entered. Despite memories and thoughts, she moved like a zombie, urged by the group, into. Wonder what memories the show will brought her back.

"And I saw at that time, that the powers of darkness had engulfed, almost everything!" narrated the guy on the stage. "People, and Titans alike were draaaaawn into the abyssal vortex!"

He continued, "The apocalypse was upon us! The end was niiiigh! But then! Despite the wounds alllllll over his body, the great Addam stood..."

The actor that acted as Addam, wearing some shiny helmets and armor, walked up the ship, raised his hand up, and shouted, "O Architect! Grant me power!" And he raised his sword into the air. "Power to banish the dark! Power, to illuminate the world!"

Many abominable creatures below the ship appeared out of the sea; their red eyes fixated on Addam. The darkness had already spread this far? Addam jumped from the deck to the 'ocean' floor, to fight the abominable creatures alone with his sword.

As if the Architect had heard his plead, he sent down an angel, immersed in light. Addam's heart warmth, welcomed the holy saint whom heeded his call, "Lo! Loyal servant of the Architect! The Aegis! O Aegis! Bless me with your power! Bring light upon the world!"

The angel raised her hand and threw some paper scraps down to the sea, the bright red light shone above her crown. The abominable creatures self-ignited, till they turned to ashes.

"Thus, they defeated the darkness," continued the narrator. "But at a terrrrrrrible price! Three great continents, sank beneath the sea of clouds forever."

Bright light from the other side of the door slightly illuminated the front of the dark room, where the Aegis laid flat on the ground. Addam arrived, voiced, "Servant of the Architect! By thy power, the world is saved! For the gift you have granted us, we are eternally grateful. I shall spread thy legend, far and wide! May your name live on, for eternity!" He knelt down and princess-carried her, through the door to the lights, and the curtain lowers.

Everyone except Pyra clapped. To return to the period once more, reminded her of sad memories, lost, depressed, desolation of that era, she's courageous to sit still, not broke into tears. Rex looked at her, wondered, let her had time for herself.

Exiting the theater, Nia called Rex quietly, "Hey!" He turned around, she continued, "Kind of awkward, right?"

"What was awkward?"

"I mean, that play... it was about Pyra. Must have been... kinda bizarre for her, eh?"

"I dunno... I guess?"

"May-be, you should go and make it right." She walked away, leaving the confused boy.

"Make it right? How?"

"Idiot. Figure it out yourself!"

"Huh? What am I supposed to-?" He heard footsteps and turned around. Pyra had came after him, "Errrr... Ummm... So the theater..."

"Wasn't it in-credible?!!! They had the cloth moving, just like real clouds! How do... you think they did that?" she tried to keep an exciting voice; Rex was awestruck by her reaction, couldn't understand. Does she feel sad, or does she not?

His mind temporarily stuck, he stuttered, "HUH?... Ah... Yeah! The clouds were pretty cool. They were so... cloudy?"

Gramps couldn't bear listening to it anymore, jumped up from Rex's helmet, and BANG him hard on his coconut head.

"OW!"

Gramps quietly asked, "What are you saying, bonehead?"

"There's no need for that! I don't know what to say in a situation like this!" She seemed to return back to reminiscing, didn't even notice the little drama Rex and Gramps had.

At a room behidn the theater, a dark room with lots of objects and drawings; their silhouette barely seen in the dimly lit room. One tiny ether lamp on the table, someone cloaked sat on it. Vandham and the others entered, he greeted, "Comin' in, old fella! Crikey! Still collecting the junk, are ya?"

"Watch it, you bruiser! Don't make fun of a mannnn's hobbies!"

"Some greeting for your old comrade!"

"Comrade?" Nia picked up the word.

He explained, "Yeah, I was a freelancer before the firm got going. Believe it or not, me and this old fella tore up a good few battlefields in our day."

"We sure did. And thanks to that bleeding heart of yours, we almost never got paid!"

"HUHAHAHAHAHAH!!! Says the guy in the theater troupe! You can't be raking in much dough either!"

"Hmph. Well, what can I do for you, friend?"

"Cole, you're old, ain't ya? Old enough to know... how to cross over to the World Tree... Get to Elysium, I mean."

"Elysium? But why? W-w-why would you want to go there?" He eyed the group for any info, then saw her. With suppressed excitement, he noted, "That Core Crystal! You... You're... So the Aegis is back amongst us... Who is your Driver?"

"I am."

"You? But you're... so young..."

Vandham urged, "How about it, old man? Do you know the way or not?"

"Hmmm... I dare say if you've trekked all the way here to ask me, you've already tried going yourselves?"

Rex acknowledged, "Yeah... But we couldn't make it."

"No wonder. No one can get to the tree, while that thing's guarding the way there. It won't let anyone past. But... a long time ago, there was a man... who went up the tree. Met the Architect, too."

"There was...? Really?"

"Yeaaaah. I'll wager anything, he's got an idea how to get there again. You should try asking him."

"Uh who was it?"

"Engh... Hmph."

"Please, tell us! I've got to get to Elysium, no matter the cost!"

"Well, I can tell you. But first, I'd like to have a word with her, if I may. With- the- Aegis, I mean."

"With Pyra?" He turned to look at her.

"Of course!" she permitted.

"Please, through here." he led her to a secret room behind.

"Mister Cole, right? You wrote that play, didn't you?"

"I- hope it didn't stir up any... painful memories..."

"N-nooo... Some of them are... good memories."

"Heh. You know, you're not very convincing. I'm sorry, I... really am. I just wanted people... to know about that time. Show people how we were back in those days... Really, get it across to them... Will you be, using it again? That power..."

"I don't know yet." Mask cannot cover, so she returned to her truthful side.

"I just don't know... if this world can take it a second time."

"I know that. I'd never use it if there was another way. This is what I- hope for. But..." Not that she could predict how the future goes, she dropped her head.

"That man's the only one who knows how to get to where you're going. Do you think you can make it to him? I just wanted to make sure."

"We can. I mean, it's my destiny." she replied boldly, convincing herself.

"Yeah... That boy, who's with you..."

"His name's Rex. He's a good person. With a kind heart."

"Reminds me of a, certain someone..."

"Mm." she agreed.{{footnote: Addam.}}

"OK then. I'll- help you out."

"Thank you, Minoth!"

"Minoth... I'd almost forgotten that name..."

Back to the room with the others, Cole: "Now then, mmm... wheeeere did it get to...? Uhurgh ahargh!" Suddenly, he coughed like he was about to coughed his lungs up.

Iona ran up to him, full of worries, "Grandpa!"

"Old man! You OK?" The others were equally concerned.

While resisting his cough, he answered, "I'm... fine... uhurgh ahargh... I'll be... pfth... fine in a second... uhurgh Seriously, uhum uhurgh... don't mind me..."

"Nah, we'd better call it a day, old timer." Vandham worried more about his body than their goal.

"Hurggghhh..." Rex felt slightly disappointed, but it looked like they had to, till he at least recovered a bit.

Vandham: "I'm sorry, fella."

While he was still fighting his cough, "Yeah, uhurgh OK. uhurgh. But come back again tomorrow, will ya? There's something I- want to give you. UHURGHHH UHURHGH ARGH!!"

Vandham urged, "Come on. I know a place we can rest." Rex looked back at Old Cole once more before leaving.

He had recovered somewhat, looking at a weapon, an assassin blade, placed on the table above the scrolls he was reading. Relaxing he sat there, expecting someone to come. "Well, I'll be... It's just one blast from the past after another today." He turned around and faced Malos and Akhos.

Malos: "You probably guessed, but we're not here for a reunion."

"Just as well. The Aegis's gone already. How disappointing for you, 'comrade'."

"Huhuh! Still an asshole."

Akhos: "Despite the years taking their toll. I'll wager all the doctors in this town are quacks, and all the Blades are blunt. Obrona and I... We could- fix that stagnant ether flow with a minimum of bother. What do you say? You could still have a lot of good years ahead of you!"

Iona was eavesdropping behind the doors, but no one cares.

Akhos continued, "I mean, I won't deny there'd be a certain quid pro quo involved. But old man, just think of the benefits! Come, can't you lend us your expertise here? Do so, and you could live for a loooong, looooong time."

"You know, friend, I'm not as attached to my life as I used to be. Maybe I've had enough!" He turned around, rejected.

"Your little lost souls will be simply inconsolable."

"The kids? No, they're strong."

"Argh. This is becoming a farce. A horrendously clichéd one at that! Break a leg!" Malos and he turned around and leave the room.

He looked down at the assassin knife on the table, in deep thoughts.

Outside the theater, Akhos stopped in his track. Malos questioned, "Huh? What's that?"

Akhos turned around, called out, "Hey, don't be shy. You heard everything we said, didn't you?"

Iona reappeared from behind the wooden beams, ran towards Akhos and Malos, questioned full of worries, "Can you... Can you really help, Grandpa?"

"Why of course!" He walked closer to her, continued, "We can help. That is, if you can help us. Can you do that, for your grandfather?"

At their lodge, Pyra and Nia were far asleep in the ladies' room. In her dream, Pyra was brought back to Elysium. The unending lush and green, the constant ruffling wind, the clear blue sky, the bell that chimes. Not alone this time, she sensed him standing beside the tree behind her.

"This is... You... can't come here."

Malos: "Hmph. Charming! So you're making the rules now, huh?"

She turned around, facing him, "You didn't come here to talk about the old days, did you?"

"Huh! We've snatched Minoth's little brat."

"No!"

"Meet me at the place of your awakening. You remember it, right?"

"Hurgh!"

"Ohhh, and come alone."

Nia opened her eyes and looked to her left. Pyra was no longer on her bed. Her brain's not working at its full, she could only guessed, "In the loo? I guess?" Then closed her eyes, back to sleep.

Suddenly, the furious continuous bang on the door outside shocked her out of bed as she jumped up.

A few moments later, everyone ran out of their room, found Cole accompanied by another guy. Vandham wondered, "Old man! What happened?!"

"Iona... She's gone! It... must've been them!"

Rex: "Who's 'them'?"

"After you went, Malos... and some other guy, paid me a visit."

"Malos was here?"

"Who was the other guy?" asked Nia.

"Didn't catch his name. But he had red glasses."

"That's Akhos! But... what would he want with Iona?"

Rex had other concerns, "Wait! Nia! Where's Pyra?"

"S-s-she wasn't- there when I woke up. What? No one's seen her?"

"Pyra... Maybe she realized what was going on with Iona?"

Cole: "Well, knowing those two, it's not unthinkable."

Nia: "That girl! Trying to save her on her own?"

Rex was more concerned with "Where's she gone? Didn't she leave a note?"

"No. I'd have noticed!"

"I-I know where... I think it could be- Olethro Ruins."

Rex: "Olethro Ruins?"

"It's where Addam led his army of resistance from. Five hundred years ago. It's the place where the Aegis woke up, too."

"Huh!" Didn't know that before.

"It must be that Malos is trying to lure her down there! I'm sure of it!"

"Cole! Tell us how to get there!"

"It's at the top of the Great Stairway."

"Vandham!"

"Hey! Fella! Take care of this old man for us."

The guy accompanying Cole answered, "Y-yes!"

Rex urged, "Let's move! If we go now, maybe we can catch up to her!"

Footnotes:

Vandham's final lesson

Pyra arrived; Malos and Akhos (and their blades) had been waiting. The 'trunk' in front of the imperfect circle was (probably) the head of the Titan.

Malos heard her footsteps, commented, "So lame. How long are you going to stay in that form?"

"That's none of your concern! I am- who I am! Where's Iona?"

"Akhos is the meanest son of a bitch I know." He urged her to look behind. Above the stairs (for people to sit), on one of the rows laid Iona, flat, unconscious.

To Pyra's left, Akhos and Obrona was above the stairs, leaving space for them to interact themselves. Obrona loved to tease her Driver, "AHAHAHAHAH!!! Son of a bitch!"

Akhos: "Hmph. I still think we should have sent them... a finger, or something. But you know best."

At the center of the stage, Malos continued, "You know what we're after, don't you?"

"Jin... Is he on your side too?"

"I exist for his benefit. That's alllll I'm gonna say."

"Really..." She looked down, felt sad that 500 years had not been enough to let him put down the baggage he carried.

Malos suggested, "Let's end this. Now." He started attacking Pyra; she shielded them, but to no avail. Closer and closer, they get; she withdrew, and he slashed her arm.

"Agh!" On his way, Rex felt a jolt in his arm.

Gramps worryingly shouted, "REEEEXXXX!!!"

"I'm OK. But Pyra's fighting alone! She's close, though! Really close!" The stairs up looked infinite, and the entrance's at the top. After so many flight of stairs, there's still more of them. But he had to get there, before they get their hands on Pyra.

"(pant pant pant)" she felt exhausted. Without her Driver, her strength was limited.

Akhos exclaimed, "Well well. I see I'm not the only, son of a bitch."

Malos: "Still defiant, I see. Just give it up, girl! Think you can do it alone? Handle that power?"

Her iris dilated, shouted her conviction, "I won't use that power! And I won't let you use it either!" Intense flames grew from her chest, illuminating the whole ruins. A giant fireball formed atop her.

Akhos was surprised, "Hmmm? You seem to be doing nicely without your Driver."

Malos don't see how that would change her fate, "Hmph! It's like you don't know who you're dealing with!"

"Huah!" She launched it at him; his blade cut right through.

"HRRRRAGGGHHH!!!" The desolation she felt; the largest attack she could release scathed him none. Had she no hope? This is the end? "You can't beat me like that!"

"But maybe... I CAN!!!! YRRRAAHHHHH!!!" Just on time, he launched himself up high, aimed for Malos.

"THE KID?!!!" Rex can't even broke his shield. But he lit a flame within her heart, after all that roller coaster ride.

"REX!!!" He reassured her, and nudged over his shoulder. She turned and saw her friends flooding in, "Everyone!"

"Vandham, take Iona!" He was already carrying her up there.

"Gotcha!"

"We'll take care of these guys!"

Malos: "Grrrr.." Just a few more minutes, this could've been easy job.

Akhos: "Well, it's come to this... Hmph! Needs must! Obrona! Do them in!" He jumped high and landed behind Malos.

"Thought you'd never ask!" The battle begun.

"I must admit, I've enjoyed playing my part in this... hackneyed tale, but..."

"Teeheheheh! Time for the final act?" Obrona was eager, summoning more and more of her red particles and raised a field that affected the stage.

"Huh?" Rex was surprised, "You're bluffing..." He ran towards Akhos, didn't believe that does anything.

Pyra disagreed with his conclusion, called out, "NO! REX!!"

Akhos caught his sword by hand, surprised him, "Whattt???!!"

Still playful, he decided to explain to him, "You see, Blades draw their power from atmospheric ether energy. They send their power to the crystal, where it manifests... But... what if we were to INTERRUPT THE FLOW?!!!" And he cut Rex's connection with Pyra.

Vandham was outside the field, "Shit. Don't look good!" He was to join the battle, trying to save them.

Nia looked at her weapons, exclaimed, "Damn! The power's draining out of my weapons!"

Dromarch: "It's no good! I can't- transfer power, my lady!"

"Masterpon! Poppi feels funny!"

Tora was listening when he felt his furs standing on its end. He turned around and saw Malos coming at them, "Hah!" With Nia's duo, they dragged along the ground.

Rex was desperate, "Why won't you guys leave Pyra alone?"

Akhos couldn't understand either, "Isn't it obvious? We want the power of the Aegis for ourselves!" Every step Rex backed, he enjoyed the playtime. "It's Jin's desire... to erase all of humankind from the world!"

"What?" Nia was surprised; why had he kept her in the dark? She came at Akhos, wanted to know more.

"Huh!" Pyra was reminiscing when she sensed Malos, raised a shield.

While fencing, Nia asked, "Did Jin seriously say that? 'Erase all of humankind?'"

He enjoyed her cluelessness, teased, "My, my. Surely you knew. Better than anyone. You know what humans are really like."

"Huh?"

Akhos took the chance, slashing at her when she was recalling. Did she know that? Since when?

"Nia! What're you doing?" Vandham came to her rescue.

Akhos stopped attacking physically, but continued his mental attacks, "You've seen the capital. You've seen the ships, weapons, soldiers... All poised to invade Mor Ardain... Doesn't it make you want to laugh? Every corner of the world is defiled by such vermin."

Malos added on the other side while battling Rex, "But that's nothing new. They haven't changed a bit in 500 years! No wonder Father abandoned them!"

Pyra and Rex joined force independently against Malos and his Blade. Some clashes and they separated. Reserves of ether had been low ever since he'd been cut off from Pyra. But they could not give up now.

Pyra denounced his claim, "No. The only thing that hasn't changed, is you. Father didn't want us to wipe out innocent life!"

"Why did he make us then? Get real!" She can't rebut. She doesn't know enough of Father's will to rebut. "That's what we're for. To descend on the world and eliminate these pests!"

The immense power he released from within, the abominable dark purple energy engulfed the lights from the surrounding; they burned high like smoke signals, disturbing ether in the vicinity, "HRRRAGGGHHH!!!"

"What?!" Vandham was surprised. "Is that the power- coming from his Blade?"

Nia: "It's too..."

Malos announced, "Playtime's over. Let's end it! Akhos!"

"A-greed!"

He knocked Rex and Pyra back; they banged against the stony chairs, releasing smoke. Poppi flew within the shrouding smoke and brought Tora straight for Malos. He blocked the drill, and sent them to accompany Rex's duo.

"Poppi!" Electricity were leaking from her joints.

"Teheheheheh!" Obrona got excited even more.

"How very noble! Next!" Akhos checked them off his list, dashed for Nia. Dromarch used his meat as shield for her.

"Dromarch! Bastards!"

"Over here!" Obrona appeared behind her, slapped her face as she turned around and look, and she hit the ground.

"Ungh!!!"

Rex felt desolate, "Nia! Tora! Dammmmmn!" The enemy could use their full strength, but not they.

"Stop, Rex! It's no good!" He ignored Gramps's warning, brain-deafly rejoined the battle.

"ARRRRGGGHHHH!!!" He was no fight for Malos.

"Rex!" She is their target, not him. He teleported beside her, and she felt a jolt in her belly; the pain brought her to the ground. "Urgh! Hurrrghhh!!"

"Huh! Hitting girls isn't as much fun..."

Akhos labeled, "Malos, you're the icon of chivalry."

Pyra muttered, "M-Malos..." She had no more strength.

"You're not GETTING HER!!!" The only one standing, Vandham, had got out of the range of field, standing at the chairs, and used Roc's power to launch flying feathers at them.

Malos was surprised, "HUH! An attack from the OUTSIDE!"

Rex: "Vandham!!" Why had he not thought of that before? But it wouldn't have succeeded; if they ran, Obrona would move the field with her, to re-curtain them.

Akhos recalled the various surprises he suffered back at the village, "Ah! The lunk is back. But, that peashooter won't help you. Even if you hit, it'll barely register."

"Bloody idiot! Think I don't know that?" He reentered the field at will, shouted out, "ARE YOU READY, REX?! Another, LESSON, for ya! Something else you can do with a Blade!" Rex watched in awe as he lunged the end of the scythe into his stomach.

"HUH!!!"

"HURRRGGHHHHH!!!"

Malos: "What...? BASTARD!!!"

Akhos noted with great surprise, "He's channeling the energy from his weapon through his body..."

The pain had not dimmed, his blood dyed his weapon. Slowly but surely, he's getting to them, "Yeah! Nothin'- you can do- to stop this ether flow. Nothin' at all! HRRRRAAAAGGGHHHH!!!" The pain subsided, he can now use ether stored within his body.

"Gah!" Even Roc entered the scene, 2 vs 4.

What ends were to come to them? Nia watched him overnumbered. She got on her feet, felt the urge to rejoin the battle. But she felt so weak. Is there nothing she could do to help? She held on to her chest, perhaps, she asked herself, if she release the shackles to this power now, she could change their fate. But she could not make up her choice. Do she want to do that now? What would Rex and the others think of her, if they knew? Will she be abandoned? And, she had not find the one to entrust her life to. She... cannot...

Rex: "Vandham!!"

Vandham urged, "Move it! Take Pyra, and SCRAM, KID!"

"I can't... I can't just leave you here!" Leaving his mentor fighting alone? He'd rather die with him.

"HRRRAGGGHHH!!!" He continued fencing Malos, advising, "Rex! Don't go dyin' on me here! YOU GOTTA MAKE IT!!! You gotta get away from here, NOW! LIVE! LIVE FOR HER!!! YOU GOTTA MAKE IT TO ELYSIUM!!!"

His trembling hand reached for his sword, but Vandham's words reverberate in his heart. Yes, that's his desire, their goal. But he... no, one can't leave him alone, letting them eating him alive. "Huh!" He want both to save Vandham, and to bring them back to safety.

Reality denied his fantasy, Malos: "I won't allow it!"

"Grahhhh!!!" Vandham's vision blurred, blood gurgles in his mouth. No longer could he sustain, for the battery within him had drained.

"GIVE IT UP!!!"

He tried raising his hand once more, squeezing more ether from his flesh and blood. The concentration was too low, Malos easily broke his spell.

Seeing nothing he could do, he shouted, "JUST GO, REX!!! REMEMBER, TO FIGHT. YOUR. WARRRR!!!" Rex watched the old man, drained of ether, standing there like a wall. Someone he'd only met for a few days, protected their dreams with his life. He could have leave; they weren't going after her. But he chose to stay. And that's enough.

Malos slashed through his neck, the twin scythe evaporated; his head twisted to the side, his body slammed to the ground.

"VANDHAAAAAAAAAM!!!" Tears rolled down the tip of his eyes; the greed to have both, he ended up having nothing at all. But nothing hurt more than seeing a dear one dying before your eyes. The laughters that rung in his ears whenever they teased his scariness, the warmth he emanated with the hospitality he provided, the counseling he got whenever he's in doubt, and the lessons he taught to turn him into a real driver.

Malos's Blade grabbed Roc's neck at the other side; he evaporated and turned into a core crystal, dropped to the ground, dimmed.

Akhos had gone through so many cycles of lost from his opponents for the past how many years he's alive that he was numb to it already. "Ohhh, please. What a cliché." Now that all obstacles were gone, he could finally complete their job, yes?

"GRRRAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!" In drunken state, Rex climbed to his feet, dashed at full strength for the guy whom killed his dear one; all around him, he closed his senses to.

Pyra tried hard to stand up, "R-Rex..."

"ARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!! YOU'RE GONNA PAY FOR THIS!!! FOR VANDHAM!!!"

"N-no... We have to go..."

Malos was tired of his insistence, "You're a pain in the ass. Little shit!"

"Yarrrgghhh!!" And he flew backwards. "Ugh... I can't... do it..." was his answer for Pyra. Emotions hijacked his logic; he could not leave his corpses drying under the sun, to be eaten by birds that flew by. And if he run, how are he to face the people of Garfont? As his student, how could he leave his teacher alone?

Nia: "R-Rex..." Is he the one worthy of her to release her power now? Vandham had died before her eyes; she don't felt as strongly as Rex, but if Rex died, she can't forgive herself.

"Rex-Rex..."

"CAN'T LET YOU DO THIS!!!"

"SO LONG, KID!!!" Malos got in front of him and slashed down.

"REEEEEXXXXXXXXX!!!" The shackles released, the power she longed not to use, shall once more be awaken, whatever the consequences that lies ahead. Bright green light swallowed her crystal and her forehead, and she woke up from her 500 years of deep sleep.

In the outer space, the satellite that trek the Aegis wherever she went, start up after eons of hibernation. The power pushed Malos back, and their attention turned to her,

"What?"

Light ether emanates from Pyra; her unconscious self floated into the air, dissipated into motes, recombined, transformed from a theme of red, to a theme of golden. Golden armor, long smooth golden hair, a baby-looking face.

"Pyra?!" Rex can't believe what'd just happened. She's not answering him. The changing vibration on his sword attracted his attention, as it sheathed and transformed, reactivated, "What is this?"

Akhos realized what happened, the tone of fear in his voice, but he announced, "Y-y-y-you can't rewrite the act now! It's too late!" He went after her. She turned her attention, the crystals on her forehead and crystal grew bright.

Malos shouted out, knew what moves she had, "Hey, idiot, LOOK OUT!!!" He was looking up at the sky.

"Huh?!" He stopped on his track, only to realize a lightning beam strike straight in front of him. "Yrrrgghhh..." Lucky once.

"Akhos!!" That wasn't the only beam. More and more beams came as he went into evasion track, zigging and zagging, hoping his chance would play by his side. Malos wasn't thinking of saving him, exited the barraging fields and let him dealing with it alone. With her eyes, she tracked Akhos's location, giving instruction to the machine in outer space where to hit. One bright beam of larger hitting radius shone above his head; he had nowhere to run.

"WAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!" He jumped just in time to be scathed by the edge of the beam; Olethro Ruins isn't as lucky, collapsing under such immense strength, sinking to the sea beneath.

Rex backed up to protect her.

Malos exclaimed, "You're awoke! At last! Mythra!"

He launched himself at them, which Rex blocked. He was confused, "Mythra?! Pyra! You're..."

"I- am not- Pyra." she said, with suppressing annoyance.

"HUH?"

While transferring power, she continued, "I am Mythra. Pyra... She's a different self- that I constructed."

"A different self?"

"No time for that." Malos had been thrusting harder and harder.

"Oh. OK!"

She strictly instructed with her limited patience, "Now focus! You need to focus! Or I can't transfer my power to you!"

Akhos get back on his feet, the mental injury dealt to him more than the physical scratches. "No, it can't be! My powers are useless?! W-where is that energy COMING from?" Obrona's field had not been lowered, despite all the attacks they suffered.

What idiot teammate he had. Malos: "Wake up! She's not drawing from the ether, it's something else!"

"Not... ether?" Never even heard about it.

He had no obligation to explain something that he could also do, "Mythra... Looking good. Things- are- heating up." Back he went into the fight, Akhos joining in.

Mythra: "Let's do it!" She released her own field that engulfed the whole ruin, temporarily stopping time. Shadows of Akhos and Malos formed as they dashed towards him; he didn't understood what that means,

"What is this?"

"It's called Foresight."

"I don't..."

"A prediction of what will happen in the immediate future. Read their movements, to find an opening, then counter!"

"I get it!"

Time restarted; he had time to think of what to do, and just followed his calculations blindly.{{footnote: When fighting, your consciousness is always slow compared to your unconscious. Say simply, what conscious calculations you did only works before the opponents came for you; your muscle memory are what determines whether you'll win or lose otherwise in counterattacking.}}

Akhos had met too many surprises today, "Grh!! He... How did he dodge that?"

Malos: "Who cares how! Just GET THEM!!!"

Feather strikes from outer space had prevented them from attacking continuously. "Graahhh!!"

"Piece- of- cake." Rex announced, as he picked his enemy, Akhos.

"Ugh! You little..." Suffering one injury under his armpit, he started to feel fear at such uncertainty, everything now's outside his control, started self-doubting "Huh... Th-there's no way! There's no way to break their link. I don't think we're going to beat them."

"This is it... The- true- power- of the Aegis. Takes me back. I've waited so long to see it again." exclaimed Malos. "Mythra! Welcome back!" Round 2.

Rex and Mythra held the sword's hilt together, pointed their sword at the sky, and shouted, "Sacred. Arrow!" More feather strikes from outer space. The two had difficulty defending such immense power.

"GRRRAAAAAAHHHHH!!!"

"Wha... What is this...? Akhos?" Motes had turned Malos's Blade back to Core Crystal, and Obrona followed thereafter, unable to understand why showering in such light caused her to disappear.

"OBRONA!!!" He watched with shaky body, unable to do anything to safe her. The wit and geniuses he'd done to others, the cliché he'd seen from others, he swallowed the pill himself, let his emotions hijacked his logic, and dropped to the ground.

She had been evaporated under the attack. He felt his connection to her dimmed. Her core crystal dropped to the ground, forced return. Similarly to Malos's Blade.

Rex was panting. The fighting had went on for far too long.

"I. don't." He knelt before the dimmed Core Crystal. The moment they spent together, despite she always teasing him, satirizing him, mocking him, the voice of her always there supported him. Taking it for granted for too long, he had never dreamt that one day, his partner, the invincible (always rejuvenating) Blade would die before his eyes, before he's dead. Even if he resummoned her, when the crystal rejuvenate, it would no longer be the dear friend they'd spent their time together for long. No, even if the physical flesh are the same, what defines you is your memories, and the actions you took based on your past memories{{footnote: 'Experiences'}}. She will no longer be the same as before.

"Hmph. We gotta retreat! Akhos!" But he'd shut his ears to all outer attention. All in his mind, in his vision, the crystal being the only thing worthy of his attention.

"Obrona!" Come back! Wake up! That's not your Core Crystal, right? You're playing hide-and-seek with me, right? You're hiding somewhere else, right? Come out right here! Come back to me.

"No time for that, Akhos!" Malos punched hard on the ground, releasing dust and energy that shrouded their view. Rex blocked the dust from entering his eyes with the sword. After the dust faded, nothing left. Including Obrona's Core Crystal.

The sun rose on the horizon; he put his guard down. His friend had got up their feet, but now without something else to distract him, the death of his teacher awash him. Nia watched as he slowly by slowly walked towards the ledge where Vandham's body lies,

"Vandham..." They thought they won, but he felt not. He might had saved Pyra from being taken, but he had not saved his mentor from dying. The sword on his hand sheathed, he looked at his corpse, called out, hopefully he'll wake up once more, telling him, he's just too tired, and he need rest. But no, the warmth still within his blood cooling down; he laid there, lifeless. No power could brought him back to life.

Mythra watched, said nothing, and went back to sleep, letting Pyra taking over. She was too tired, dropped to the ground; her driver had been too preoccupied with his mentor's death, didn't hear her. But he had his friends; Nia picked her up, let her rest in her chest.

Tears aggregated at the tip of his eyes; he could no longer hold.

Rex collapsed into tears, banging on the floor, felt so useless, so weak, for the nth time in his life, and the first he lost someone dear, "Nguh nngh nghn! ARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!"

The sun may rise for another day,
but he won't be seeing it anymore.

Footnotes:

Brief History of Alrest, Minoth

A long time ago, there was a peaceful City behind the back of a Titan. The people there were living in peace, doing their business; until one day, without prior signals, purple beams stroke from the sky, hitting every inch, destroying buildings and people, before they had time to realize what had just happened. The yellow beams came after the purple, destroying whatever remnants leftover in the ruins.

The remaining citizens not already in the City gathered atop a mountain some kilometers away from the City. They watched their home getting destroyed, nothing could they do to save it. They looked up at the machine in the air, with a bright green plus-shaped crystal in its chest; seated Mythra within.

The sun already rose up high. Some more people from the City joined the group; they'd buried Vandham there and raised a tombstone above. Dromarch versed for the fallen, taking the alpha position{{footnote: The front-most position directly facing the tombstone}}, "The body- may die, but... never the soul, which is merely- passed on. Souls- flow- onward, born- and reborn, forever- part of the great- ether stream."

Tora cannot understand, "Why friends make- grave here? Can we not take Biggipon home, to village?"

Gramps replied, "He'd- want to be- buried where he fell. It is- traditional- amongst- mercenaries." Dromarch bowed and opened up the Alpha position for Iona, whom carried with her flowers, knelt before him, and delivered the flowers, "Hnph. I'm so sorry, Vandham. If only I hadn't listened to those people, you'd still be... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

Nia listened, her head down feeling the more guilty, clenched her fist. Dromarch understood her Lady's will, respected her choice. She thought for herself, if only she'd released her true power, perhaps...

Rex, standing at the beta position{{footnote: 8 o'clock of the alpha's position}} for long, went forward and wrapped his arm around Iona, consoled, "It's not your fault. No matter what, those guys would have tracked us down eventually. What matters... is that Vandham saved all our lives. For now, let's just be grateful to him... for that."

"Ngh! Mm... You're right..."

"I won't forget your words, Vandham. Ever. I'll fight my own war. With Pyra." He swear. That's his wish, and he'll live for it. Gramps's ears wiggled a little, turned around and saw "Pyra?" accompanied by Poppi. His turning had alerted Rex.

She moved past everyone, didn't answer him. Iona had returned to the hugs of her guardians{{footnote: Some unknown people from the City or village}}, crying. Rex backed away, giving space for her. She embraced her heart, bowed, and leave the other direction, reluctantly{{footnote: She walked one step, looked back at the grave, paused for a moment, before continued her way.}}.

"Are you all right?"

Quietly, not wanting to look at him in the eyes, she answered, "Yes."

At times, we really felt jealous at the courage of kids. He took it at face value, urged, "Good. I was worried that you might not... wake up... Pyra, you know I've got to ask. That thing that happened yesterday..." is what she don't want to face, and why she wanted to evade him now. "You called yourself, 'Mythra'?"

The others were waiting for an answer from her. She stuttered, trying to find excuses, "W-w-what? I uh I, um..."

Nia urged, "I'd like to hear that too. That power, it wasn't normal. Is that the true power of the Aegis? I think you owe us an explanation. It was pretty crazy."

"Tora want to know too. Pyra was suuuuper strong! Why so strong? Huh?" Poppi copied how her Masterpon acted.

Gramps stood on her side, "Now, now, don't pressure the girl..."

Pyra: "Well, um... The thing is... I-I-I mean..."

Mythra cannot stand the lack of courage she had, the bright light shone in her chest as she took over, transformed right in front of them. "AHHHH!!!" The group watched in awe, as if something scary was happening.

Rex: "P...Pyra...?"

Clenching her fist, with suppressed annoyance, she walked past Nia towards her Driver, strictly asking, "Why?"

"Huh?"

"Why did you wake me up?!"

"Huh? What?"

"I didn't want to wake up... I didn't want to come back! I left EVERY-thing to her so I'd never have to use that POWER again! But then YOU woke me up!"

"W-w-woke you up?"

"If YOU- hadn't been SO USELESS, NONE of this would have happened! I wouldn't have had to USE THIS POWER! DIDN'T YOU listen to that Vandham guy? He told you to hold back! He TOLD YOU, to run! But you just had to push yourself. Idiot. Look where it's got us now!"

"You-"

"You really messed up."

"You don't have to tell me that! I know, all right? I knew I was being an idiot."

"Rex..." She knew her words had been too rough, but she don't know how to express it any other way.

"But I just... I couldn't hand you over to them. I wanted to keep you safe."

Struck in her heart, such cheesy words. "Wh-wh-wha...?!" Speechless as to what to say, she decided to avoid it, "A-at any rate! If you've got questions, you can ask her! I'm out of here! Bye!" Such tsundere{{footnote: 'tsundere' definition based on the Cambridge dictionary, means "a character who seems unpleasant or unkind at first, but who develops into a more pleasant or kind character."}} personality she had.

Pyra, speaking to herself, "Ah... That's not fair..." Turning around, "Everyone, I'm very sorry... about all that." And she bowed to them.

That night, inside the theater, Pyra shared, "Malos and I, are Aegises. Blades born with a- terrible power, strong enough to destroy the world..."

Rex cannot believed what he'd heard, "Malos is... another Aegis?!"

She nodded. "Long ago, There was a man who climbed the World Tree, hoping to make it to Elysium, and meet his Creator." The young man had pointed ears. The guy arrived at the top, taking a fire stick in his hand, and discovered the buildings up there.

Pyra continued, "But... when he arrived at Elysium, he found it empty." He opened the giant door before him, the smiles on his face hopefully hoped for something.

"So instead, as proof that he had reached that divine realm... He brought back two Core Crystals, Malos, and me." All the way he climbed up, all the way he climbed down.

"And... once he made it back, to Alrest... He awakened Malos." The two same-shaped different color crystals floated in front of him, he could only choose one to resonate with. "Why he did it, I can't say. For greed... for power... or perhaps..."

"When Malos awakened, he wielded his world-shaking power... without- restraint." Amidst flames, Malos rose. Cities after cities, towns after towns, villages after villages, every inch, Malos released his power and swallowed every surface of the Titan's skin.

"To him, it was natural. He had never known anything else." The purple flames added up, burning down the whole Titan alive.

"I was awakened by a Driver... who was determined to stop... Malos's rampage." People gathered in Olethro Square, Mythra wielding her sword and put it on the left and right head of a gray-cloaked guy knelt before her. "So Malos and I, fought."

"I fought with all my might, and succeeded in defeating Malos." The shockwaves of their battle destroyed everything in their pathways. Even the machine, her born-companion{{footnote: 伴生. There's no English word that one know that describe this accurately.}}, had came down from outer space to help.

"But not without a price. THREE great Titans fell in the struggle. After the battle... I SEALED myself away to ensure that power would never be unleashed again. I took the form you see now, and fell- into a loooong slumber." The casket she slept in, closed the lid above her, and hibernated for the next 500 years. "That was five hundred years ago..."

Gramps, one of the participant during that time, continued the story, "The Aegis War. The man- who awakened Mythra was Addam, hero of the lost Kingdom of Torna. Addam fought as Mythra's Driver... to protect- the world- from Malos. We- Titans- played our part in that battle, too. It is our calling... to live alongside humanity, after all."

"Gramps?" Rex never heard this part of his story.

"Addam- hid Pyra's sleeping body- inside a great ship, and sunk her to the Cloud Sea's floor, where none- could abuse her power."

"So that day, that's the ship that we... That's how Pyra and I..."

"I believe... it was fate, that we met each other. Otherwise, my sister would never have woken up."

"You call her, your sister?"

"Mythra and I... used to talk together, in that dream of Elysium- where you met me. We promised that, when we were awakened again, we'd go home to the real Elysium. And then, we would fulfill our- real purpose..."

"And that's... defeating Malos again?" She nodded in return.

Pyra found the chance to talk to Rex back in the dormitory alone, looking out the windows, deep in thoughts. She immediately apologized, "I'm very sorry... about Mythra. She didn't mean all that. You have to understand, she came out because she wanted to protect you. She broke her own seal for you, even used her power as the Aegis... The flame powers I use are just a... shadow- of her strength. Droplets of excess energy... trickling through the seal."

"Don't worry about it. She was right. This was all my fault. I'm just glad..."

"Hm?"

"That you've finally managed to open up a little! Also, thank you! For protecting everyone, I mean."

"Protecting? Me?" She doubted.

"Your powers... are incredible. I could feel the truth behind the legends!"

"I'm sorry... I..."

"You apologize a lot, you know that? I guess... you still feel guilty... about the Aegis's power, right? But I... don't want you to have to apologize any more. I hope I can help you move past that..." Then he shook his head, "No, I KNOW I can!"

"Rex, I..."

"Power depends- on the heart of its wielder. That's what Vandham said. That's why your power... is the power to protect. The power to keep everyone... safe and smiling. I want to do the same. I'm gonna be the kind of Driver who can protect you in turn, I promise! Make a girl cry? That's not gonna fly. Make a girl smile? You pass the trial! That's the third rule of the Salvager Code! Yeah?"

Perhaps she felt glad they'd spoken so much after. Before she could reply, Tora was shouting outside, "Rex-Rex! Can you help Tora with repairing of Poppi, please?"

"OK! I'll be right there!" And to Pyra, "Oh, yeah - what's for dinner tonight?"

"How does Meatball Pot-au-Feu sound?"

"Delicious! Mm, I can't wait!" And he dashed off to save Poppi, leaving the space for her. She felt it in her heart, glad that he didn't scold her or blame her or anything.

Gramps was sitting on the bed, not following Rex, said to her, "That's my Rex. Never loses his smile, and that's what keeps us all going. Remind you of Addam, don't you think?"

She could no longer hold herself together, collapsed on the bed, and wept silently.

Outside the theater, Cole handed Rex the assassin dagger he'd been looking at when Malos arrived. Rex wondered, "What's this?"

"Take it, and go to Indol. That dagger's owner- will... tell you how you can get to Elysium." he instructed.

"This is... a Blade weapon, right? Who's its owner?"

"The man who was once my Driver."

"Your... Driver? Huh? But then..." He revealed his chest to show some creased veins growing around the crystal on his chest.

Gramps explained, "Cole is a Blade. We fought together in the Aegis War. Yes... His real name- is Minoth."

Tora noticed, "Blades not get old though. Why Cole look so old?"

"Because I'm one of the cursed ones. A Flesh Eater." Nia knew that phrase, felt shocked she'd heard it elsewhere.

But not Rex. "A... Flesh Eater?"

"A Blade... who has been fused, with human cells. A looong time ago, be-fore the war, some sought to test the limits of Blades' potential. I-I am a product of their experiments. One of the unlucky ones who was tainted by their folly."

"Why would... ancient people do that?" asked Tora.

"It seems that by combining Blade and human, it is sometimes possible to create Blades... with extremely unique powers. But- only very rarely. Most experiments were failures, and I was no different. Ahhhh... I gained nothing at all, and lost my immortality to boot. I likely won't last much longer."

"Grandpa..." Iona would miss him dearly.

"Before I go, I want to see where your path ends. That dagger will aid you. Will you- do this for me?"

Now the dagger felt like a heavy burden pressing on his palms. Minoth had passed him a wish, and he had to decide, should he take the responsibility? "Of course! Oh, but can I ask you to do something too?"

"Namely?"

"I was wondering... if you could write a play, about Vandham."

"About- Vandham?"

"Yeah. I think... his story could inspire a lot of people. Once I find Elysium, I'll come see you again. Show it to me then?"

"An interesting notion... Perhaps that is the least I can do. Very well. I'll do it. So see you make it back here in one piece, understand?"

"Absolutely. You have my word."

Indol. Inside the Praetorium. A man stood before the enshrinement, piously praying. May God shine its light on Indol.

The group gathered in Garfont to discuss their next destination. Rex had checked the maps and suggested a route, "I reckon the quickest route is... Back to Argentum, ship to Mor Ardain, then on to the Praetorium."

Gramps added, "If we're lucky, there'll be a Guild- ship- at the port."

"Can't say no to a free ride. Let's go and see!"

"It doesn't cost anything?" Pyra wondered.

"Salvagers can board Guild ships for free. I'll negotiate for you guys, too."

Tora: "That would be biiiiig help!"

Footnotes:

Off to Mor Ardain, Roc's Core Crystal Stolen

At Argentum, a Nopon that knew him greeted, "Heeeyyyy!!! It's Rex!"

"Rex come back alive?"

"Rex have many sidekicks now!" says the few other Nopons with the first Nopon.

Nia teased, "Quite the little celebrity, aren't we?"

"Welllll, you know. I've been trading here for a while. Anyway... I'll find us a ride to the Empire. You guys go on ahead to the inn."

"Sounds good. See you around, then!"

They gathered on the 2nd floor of the Argentum Trade Guild, where the inn and the restaurant were opened{{footnote: One cannot remember exactly if this is true, but correct me if one's wrong, leaving a comment at GitHub discussion. You can go directly to the page by clicking the GitHub icon on top right of the header, beside the 'print' symbol.}}. Seated around the tables in the restaurant, they listened to Rex announcing their plan.

"Right, so it looks like we're heading out tomorrow. Everyone, make sure you're ready by then!"

Dromarch: "Understood."

Poppi: "Affirmative!"

Tea time. Seated around several small tables, Pyra, on one of them, had a sip of the tea she ordered, wondrously exclaimed with a thin smile on her face, "The tea here is... lovely!"

Gramps shared the table with her, shared what he knew, "You can find quality goods here- from all around- Alrest. you like the place?"

"Yes. If there's time before we leave, I think I'll have another cup later."

At another table, Nia was stretching herself, "Mmmmmmph, feels so good to rest in a proper inn after a long voyage!"

Rex agreed, "Yeah! It's good to be on familiar shores again."

In the boys' dormitory, everyone was far asleep; even Gramps, curled inside Rex's helmet. Rex was trying to change position when, "Mmmm... (sniff sniff)... Mmmmm.... Mmmmhmmm?"

Something was off. There's this... nice scent, but one don't remember one'd put on any perfume! Rex tried to force change position, flipping to the other side, but something was pressing on his hand strongly. He tried mildly to pull it out but failed. His brain came back online to gauge the possible scenario; what object could there be? He opened his eyes to look.

Wait, a girl? This face, Mythra? He breathed in what she breathed out, combined with both their body scent, and blood started rushing up his cheeks. "Oh!" She hadn't yet noticed, still sleeping merrily. Oh man, how could one carry her back to her room without her realizing? How could one leave without waking her up? Oh wait, one couldn't leave. He looked down at his hand, hugged tight by Mythra, "Erm..."

Deep in her dreams, she felt someone reliable, perhaps Addam, that brought her in his hug. She carefully and blushingly rubbed her breast against him; and of course, she reflected her dream in real life, rubbing it against Rex's arms.{{footnote: Usually when we sleep, our brain will inject a massive amount of paralysis. This ensures what we do in our dreams does not get reflected in reality. However, some people's brain are unable to inject paralysis, hence we labeled their condition 'sleepwalking'.}} Bouncy... bouncy... What now?

Perhaps the soft and natural object she was hugging turned too stiff; her brain felt not right. Triggered, she smelt something unusual too, not just something not moving with her alone. Stiffened, she opened her eyes.

"Ah!" This is not good. Very bad. Eye to eye, they look straight into each other's eyes, stuck there for a prolonged moment as she was returning to life, gauging the situation. Some short moments before she realized, "ARRRRRGH!!!"

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!" Rex resonated her shouts; and both jolted and sat up quickly.

"You! How did you-?! Wha...?! What are you doing in my bed?!"

"Wait, I...!!!" He tried to explain.

"ARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHH!!!" She wasn't listening, got out of bed, and ran to the only tea table in the room. Despite closing her eyes, her aims were notoriously accurate, raining whatever objects she can grab at him, "GET OUT!!! INTERLOPER!!! MONSTER!!!"

The rest in the room had already awakened from their fight. Tora, standing on his bed, and having his bed just beside Rex's, unfortunately became a victim to the rain of objects. Something hit his forehead, and he fell flat on his back.

"W-wait a minute, would you- OWWW!!!" He tried to call for his attention when something as huge as his helmet and as hard as his helmet hit him hard on his forehead. He quickly climbed back up, hand against his forehead, immediately getting to the main point, hoping her logic would takeover, "You-You're the one in my room! The guys' room, see?!"

A cup and a book was about to launch at him when she stiffened. "Huh?" She put them down, then scanned to her right. Tora getting back up, Gramps falling out of the helmet, and Dromarch, wearing a Santa Claus hat, his front limbs jetted him up, watching their drama. "I can't believe it. I did it again... I am SUCH an... IDIOT!!!" She tried to leave the room as if nothing had happened, slowly and slowly reaching for the door.

Dromarch wondered, "Hm... Is this what they call sleepwalking?"

Opened the door, but she hadn't yet gone out, something came into her mind. She's not all to blame. One thing about what Rex did was true. She turned around and looked at him, with blushing red, spitted out, "You were staring..."

"Huh?" Rex flushed up his face; but he couldn't control himself. Even now, his vision was fixated on the bouncy bouncy, unconsciously revealing himself.

"PERVERT!!!" And she left and slammed the door behind.

All collapsed, he just recovered, "WHA-WHA-WH-WH-WH-WHAT?!!!" What huge surprising news she'd shared to the rest of the boys.

Gramps, lying on Dromarch's bed, acknowledged, "She's certainly exposing an awful lot of skin."

Dromarch: "Pot, meet kettle.{{footnote: Pot meet kettle, is an idiom that says you're accusing someone for something you're equally guilty of.}}"

"Would you- care- to explain- what that is supposed to mean, my good sir?"

"Have you looked in a mirror recently?" Their eyes met, and whatever that meant...

The morning sun rise, and Argentum Trade Guild was as busy as ever. The rest of the group sat on one table, while Pyra was sitting on another herself, enjoying the tea she'd yearned for yesterday. Rex just came out of the room, gingerly walking over, trying to make sure it was Pyra and not Mythra disguising in Pyra's attire. "Uh... H-hi, Pyra..."

She put down her cup, turned around, and was delighted at his greetings, "Ooh - good morning!"

"Listen, about earlier..."

"I'm... sorry... about Mythra. She gets very confused when she's just woken up..."

He nodded his head violently, "I... see..."

"It didn't get violent, did it?"

He jolted back one step, tried to cover it up, "No! I didn't do anything weird! Not a thing!"

"No...? It was more Mythra... I was worrying about." I hadn't finished speaking and you reaction was so heightened. Are you sure you didn't do anything?

"Oh... right... hahah!" He tried to cover up whatever he'd accidentally revealed. Calming down, he had the courage to pull over a chair and sit down facing her, acknowledging, "I guess... she did throw a thing or two."

She noticed the bump on his forehead. "Ugh! Oh, no! So that was where that came from." Pyra bent forward and gently touched his forehead, and he blushed again, eyes on the twin rabbit down there. "I'm sorry. Did it... hurt a lot?"

In a panic, "N-no! Not at a-all! Really, I'm fine!"

She touched her own forehead, "Are you sure? Honestly.... my head is still a little painful." The others were secretly watching their interaction, silently feeling nervous and excited for them. Suppressing their sounds means they'd acted it out violently in body language what they felt.

On the other table, 'pot' and 'kettle' were looking at those two interacting. Gramps exclaimed, "Ahhh, to be young again..."

"Indeed, indeed."

Gramps clamped together, eagerly spoke while daydreamt, "We need a little romance in our lives, too, eh?"

"Actually, I'm... quite all right." Big eyes looking at small eyes.

The port of Mor Ardain Castle welcomed a Titan Ship. Out walked Mòrag and Brighid, the central tower was their destination. A boy and his Blade was looking at the Mor Ardain emblem above a red chair. So high up there, but so alone.

"Aegaeon..." He called out.

"Yes." answered his Blade, a silver-dark-blue Blade had tubes wrapped around him, which light-blue fluid seemed to flow continuously in one direction and recycled into nothingness. Aegaeon turned around to open the door, and returned shortly with Mòrag and Brighid.

Mòrag bowed to the boy, "I have returned from my assignment, Your Majesty."

His eyes lit up seeing his sister returned safely, "Welcome back, Mòrag. You too, Brighid." Brighid bowed to him with an extremely formal posture, answered,

"I'm honored."

And the Blades exchanged welcome, "It is good to see you again, Brighid."

"You look well too, Aegaeon."

The boy, Emperor Niall{{footnote: Recall, during the first Blade awakening in the square in Torigoth, what the soldier called their Emperor?}}, turned back to Mòrag, getting to the point, asked, "So this Aegis... truly was the genuine article."

"Indeed."

"And the boy?"

"From his garments, he- appeared to be a young salvager."

"I would be most interested in meeting him." he said excitedly.

"That can be arranged."

He looked at Aegaeon, whom step forward and handed Mòrag some documents, explained, "We have- received reports of an attack on a ship- headed for the Praetorium."

"A transport vessel?"

"Yes, carrying a cargo of Core Crystals."

"Core Crystals... Torna's work, then?"

"Most likely." replied Emperor Niall. "According to a lucky survivor, the culprit was a masked man."

"Jin... It must have been him."

"This is the third time. From what I hear, Urayan vessels have also suffered significant damage."

Mòrag took a while to think what she should reply, "My sincere apologies. This is all my fault, Your Majesty. I let that Torna girl off lightly. I should have interrogated her more."

Emperor Niall shook his head, denied her burden, "You set the captive loose because you felt it necessary, did you not? That, is enough for me. Besides which, if this really is the doing of that masked man... I doubt he would have been stopped... even by an army 5,000 strong. We have more pressing issues to consider."

"Such as?"

"The Senate... have independently resumed the excavation of Judicium."

"The pro-war faction... Senator Roderich."

"The loss of those Core Crystals... must have made them restless. Judicium- is a very- delicate- region. It would be unwise to provoke Uraya..."

"I understand your meaning. If the Senate make any unsavory moves, we can take action."

"I'm counting on you, dear sister."

They were preparing to depart for Mor Ardain when something in his pocket lit up. "This light... What is it?" He took it out and held it up, "Roc's Core Crystal?! It was like a stone. What happened?!"

Nia reminded him, "Don't you remember, Rex? Vandham told you. Core Crystals don't 'die'. They always regenerate after a while."

"Regenerate?"

"Ready to be reawakened by a new Driver."

"So... if I resonated with it now..."

Dromarch answered, "Then a new Roc would be born into this world."

"A new- Roc... Vandham's Blade..." He looked at it thoughtfully. Should he do that? He felt guilty, to take Vandham's Blade as his. Yet, perhaps he would want to be resonated again, to come back alive, as if Vandham were always by their side?

Tora: "What do?"

"I'm not sure. Taking Vandham's old partner... I-It just doesn't feel right."

Nia: "Y-eah, but may-be he would have wanted you to do it. Just do whatever."

"Right..."

Some distance from where they gathered, a boy with dark skin, wearing like some ancient Indian tribes, with long hair like lion manes, were hidden, looking at them secretly.

Nia suggested, "Probably time we headed for the ship, right?"

"Oh - yeah!"

"I'll go ahead and register us for boarding."

Pyra questioned, "Nia, do we really need to rush?"

"Sure, we could take our time. And miss out on the good seats!" And she already ran away, eyes looking backwards. Just as she turned, some shadow was dashing at her, and she jumped, barely dodged it, "Oops."

The kid dashed quickly through Rex and knocked him on his pelvis, "Owww..." His hands quickly touched where he's hit; Pyra and the others overlooked the kid running off, disappearing towards the dock. "What was that kid's problem?"

Then Pyra noticed something else, "Rex! Your bag!"

"Huh?" He looked to where he'd put his bag, on the pelvis. Gone. "No... No! NOOO!!!"

Nia returned, asked, "What've you lost now?"

"Roc's Core Crystal! It's not here!"

"You mean that little blighter...?!"

Dromarch snapped, "After him! At once!"

Rex: "TITAN'S FOOT!!!" All ran after him.

At the port, quite a number of people. Nia asked, "That little thief looked pretty young, right?"

"Yeah! And those ears. Gormotti for sure."

"So let's see..." She scanned slowly, one by one, until she came up with one, "There! That's the brat!" He was at one of the port. Hearing lots of footsteps, he quickly dashed for the water, pushing some older guy that blocked his way.

"WHOA! Ugh! "What d'you think you're doing?!" The guy dropped on his back and shouted. He watched the kid took a ship and drove it off.

Just when they'd believed he'd a bottom line, he'd showed them what's more bottom than bottom, "Why that little...! He stole the whole ship!"

Pyra: "What now?!"

Rex decided, "Let's go! Are there any other..." He scanned for a free ship to use, "There's one! Garram!"

The guy charging for the port which asked Rex for money for docking Gramps during the first chapter turned around and felt surprised, "Hey, Rex. What's the big hurry?"

"Lend me your boat!" He went straight to the subject.

"What? I mean, sure, but why?"

"There was a pickpocket! Took our Core Crystal! Over there!"

"Over there?"

The ship was slowly drifting towards the horizon, and the guy the kid had knocked over was bellowing at the edge of the port, "HOOOOLLLDDDD IT! BRING THAT SHIP BACK HERE!!!"

"Why, that's Pittman's ship! Your thief's on board THAT thing?" Garram was enraged.

"PLEEEEEEEAAAAAASSSEEE!!!"

"All right, then! The key's in the slot, so you can take her right out!"

"Thanks! I'll bring her back as soon as I can."

"Nooooo worries! Go get 'em, Rex!" The ship therefore set off after the thief's.

Their ship entered and parked at a dock. So many ships they'd took some time to eye one by one, and Tora found it first, "Thaaaaat the ship!"

Rex recognized, "Yeah, no doubt about it. This is where he got off."

Dromarch hypothesized, "He may still- be- somewhere- nearby."

Nia suggested, "Right. Then let's ask around and see what we can find!"

Rex agreed, "Good plan!"

Combining all the info, they'd enough information to find out their whereabouts. Alone in the plains, it was a roofed dock, facing the Cloud Sea. Nia commented, "If we're on the right track, he should be around here, yeah?"

"Thief using Umon's workshop as hideout... I never dream of such a thing!" Tora felt enraged.{{footnote: Oops. How to explain about the ship they borrowed?}}

Looking behind the door, they saw the few kids gathered in a circle. No sign of Umon, but Rex recognized, "That's him. Let's surround them- so he can't run."

Nia: "Gotcha." The rest nodded.

Hearing footsteps, the kid turned around, and all get into defensive stance, "Ahh! You lot!"

Rex: "Kid! You sure led us on a merry chase. You've wasted a lot of our time, you know."

"Dammit!"

"Look at you. You're only kids. Why don't you just give back what you took? We'd rather not hurt you or anything."

"You're basically a kid yourself!"

"Oi! I'll have you know, I work for a living. Right, hand it over."

"N-NO! You're not having it!" He put his fingers in his mouth and blew a whistle, calling some blue bird monsters as reinforcements. "The Core Crystal is ours now! If you want it so bad, you'll have to take it by force!"

"Well, nothing for it, I guess. All right, let's go!" And the battle begun.

Holding Roc's Core Crystal in his hand, Rex announced, "Well, we took it by force. Just like you wanted us to."

"Ugh!" The other kids felt defensive too.

Rex exclaimed, "Titan's foot, you're all barely 10 years old. Why are you stealing from people?"

"Ugh..."

Nia urged, "Look, keeping your traps shut won't help anyone."

"My lady, be a little more gentle..."

"Why? They're only petty thieves."

"Be that as it may, they are still- children..."

Rex urged, "Look, I'm sure there's a reason you're doing all this. Are you just- that hard up?"

One of the kids (not the one doing the stealing) snapped back, "What do you take us for?! We're not some poor beggars!"

"OK! So it's not money you're after..." Oops, accidentally leaked it.

Nia urged once more, "Then what the hell is it they want?"

Tora too: "You should just tell everything. Rex-Rex not hurt you."

"Ugh..."

"C'mon."

The kid that did the stealing, their leader, seeing they won't leave them alone, started with their goal, "We want revenge."

"Revenge?"

"We're gonna... avenge our village!"

"You don't mean... You were planning to awaken this Blade and use it? Why don't you tell us the whole story? We might be able to help."

"Bandits attacked your village?" Pyra concluded.

"It was just a small, peaceful village. But the bad men... Just because we had water, they..."

Nia prompted for more, "Did anyone survive? Don't tell me... you're the only ones?" They put their head down, said nothing.

"What's your name?" asked Rex of their leader.

"Me? Why d'you wanna know?" a nobody like me?

"Please, kid."

"It's Rhys. From Cordell Village."

"Cordell Village... Can't say I've heard of it." said her whom was born here.

"It's just a tiny village on the outskirts of Gormott. Not many people know it."

Rex: "OK, Rhys. I get why you did this. But still, it's not right to steal from people. Besides which, awakening a Blade is dangerous. Do you know what happens if it fails?"

"You never now until you try! Long as one of us manages it, that's all that matters!"

Gramps climbed out of the helmet and expressed, "Sounds like you- really- were- desperate, my boy. I assume you know the whereabouts of these bandits?"

"There's a big cave over on Twin Trunks Hill. They use it as a hideout."

A kid suddenly ran inside and immediately shouted full of worries, "Ohhhh, Rhys! It's awful! Those scum are gonna-!" Then, she noticed someone not belonging to her group, wondered, "Huh? Who are they?"

Rhys urged her to continue, "Don't worry about them. What's the matter?"

"R-right, OK... The bandits are planning to attack Torigoth!"

"Are you sure?" The largest city on Gormott, armed with almost all the armies they've got, with the most advanced weapons? Hitting a rock with an egg?

"Yeah! We overheard one of their men talking about it in the city just now."

"And it was definitely one of them?" Rhys wanted to confirm.

"It looked like they were scouting the place out. They were saying with the consul gone, now's the perfect chance to take advantage."

Dromarch: "A shrewd observation... This would indeed be the perfect time to mount an attack."

Nia: "Are you trying to tell me that idiot consul was actually good for something?"

Tora dropped his head, "So... this... all our fault?"

Rex can't deny, "Well... Yeah, I guess we might have been the trigger."

Pyra urged strongly, "We can't sit by and let this happen."

"A-greed! Right, you lot! You can leave those nasty bandits to us."

Rhys was surprised, "Wh-what?"

"I swear. We'll avenge your village."

"But..."

Rex step forward and handed out his hand to Rhys, said, "Don't worry." The kid strongly took his hand and shook. Agreement formed.

Outside the hut. Rex introduced himself, "By the way, name's Rex. Rhys, take the others and go warn the city guard."

"Warn them... about the bandits?"

"Nah, they probably wouldn't believe you if you said bandits were coming. So tell them... about us instead. Tell them the guys who destroyed the water tower... are hiding out... at Twin Trunks Hill."

"If you say so... but why?"

"Don't worry, you'll see. We're counting on you, OK?"

"OK."

An ether miasma was blocking their way. "Whaaaat the..."

Dromarch: "Well, this is quite the unhelpful obstruction."

Nia thought she saw this phenomena before. After some thinking, she exclaimed, "Hey, isn't this the same as the thing we saw in the blowhole? With Vandham?"

Gramps agreed, "Indeed, it seems to be the same phenomenon."

"In that case..." Pyra looked at Rex.

He agreed, "Yeah. We just need a little help from Roc!" Taking out Roc's Core Crystal, Rex convinced himself, "Vandham, mate... Hope this is OK."

"Rex..." Pyra wondered what guiltiness he'd been shouldering all alone; but she can't help -- he'd to get through it himself, to grow up.

Roc came online once again. Nia exclaimed, "All right!"

Pyra was excited too, "You really did it!"

Rex: "Roc..." Remind him of Vandham.

"So, you- are- my- new Driver. Bit of a scrawny one, if you ask me, but ahhhh well. It's good to meet you."

"Ummmm..." Rex don't know yet how to voice to his mentor's partner.

Nia noticed, "He talks kind of like Vandham, huh."

"Vandham? Who is that?"

"Oh, right. You wouldn't remember, since you've been reawakened now. He was your old Driver."

"My old Driver?" he looked to Rex for a while, hypothesized, "Ah, so my- core- was passed down to you."

Nia suggested another situation, "We coulda... stolen it."

"I didn't sense any guilt in your words."

Gramps: "Mmmm, you're a perceptive one, all right. Yes, you take after your old master in moooore ways than one."

Time was tight. Rex got to the point and leaves the talking later, "Listen, Roc. We need your help. Reckon you could... clear the way for us?"

He turned around to look, "This stuff? Of course. Nothing simpler."

Rex exclaimed, after he cleared it, "Wow! That hardly took any time at all!"

"Hmph. I did say it was a simple task."

"Thanks a bunch, Roc!"

Roc eyed him for an elongated moment until he felt slightly uncomfortable, "Roc?"

"Tell me something. Myyyyy previous Driver..."

"You mean Vandham?"

"Yes, this... Vandham. What- kind- of a man- was he?"

Rex took some time to recall, categorize, and muster his thoughts and words, "He was incredibly strong. He looked kind of scary, but he was kind, too..." As if some rock let out of his lungs, he continued, "And he saved my life. It's thanks to Vandham... that we're all standing here now."

"I see... Then, I think I'd better protect you all, too."

"Huh?"

"To carry on my Driver's will... assss best I can... That's the path I feel best befits a Blade."

"Oh, Roc..." That was heartwarming!

Rex was hiding behind some rocks looking at the bandits inside the flame-lit cavern. Boxes of treasures were piled around all the sides, while people rested around a campfire in the middle.{{footnote: Lucky they don't get carbon monoxide poisoning, setting up flames in non-moving air.}}

Nia asked, "So what's the plan? Looks like there's quite a few of 'em, and they have Blades too."

Rex: "No time for complicated plans. Don't worry, they'll be no match for us!"

"I knew you'd say that. But hey, I'm not saying you're wrong!"

"Just- remember, we're not here to kill anyone, so mind you don't go overboard."

Tora don't understand the conflicting message, "Was Rex-Rex not going to avenge village?"

"There's more than one way to do that, right?"

Nia: "Well, if you say so..."

Pyra: "Understood."

Rex made the call, "Right. Let's go!" Immediately, they entered the room with Rex shouting for attention, like a little police himself, "All of you, put down your weapons! You're NOT going to harm that city!"

The bandits took their weapons and formed a line facing the group, one of them shouting back, "Who the hell are you punks? We ain't got time for a bunch of kids!"

One of the buff guy warned, "Hold it! They're Drivers and Blades! Now I get it... The city hired you, huh?!"

"What d'you think?" Not that we're going to tell you.

"Bah! How'd you find out about... Whatever. HEY, LADS! LET'S SLAUGHTER THESE BRATS!!! We'll make an example of 'em!"

"YEAAAAHHHH!!!" The energetic bandits shouted in unison. And the battle began.

Outside the cavern, all the soldiers fallen had been dragged outside.

"Whew! Well, we managed to beat them, all right. But what now?" asked Nia.

Rex turned around to view the road where they'd entered the valley earlier, just in time to see soldiers trekking slowly towards their current location. Gramps: "Ah, right on time."

"Oh I get it. Thaaat's why you asked the kids to call them here."

Rex: "It isn't us they need to answer to,... right?"

Dromarch agreed, "Leaving them to the authorities... A wise decision."

Pyra suggested, "I suppose- we should probably leave, then. It's not a good idea to be here when the military arrives. Let's go!"

Rex agreed, "Yeah, let's move!" And he lead the way to someplace safer.

At the Argentum port, the kids followed Rex to meet Garram and Pittman, explained the situation to them, and he pleaded, "So you see, considering the situation, could you let them off the hook?"

Garram: "Hmmm. I'd hate to deny a request from you, Rex, and I can see these kids've had a hard time. What d'you think?" He looked to Pittman.

"Welllll... I suppose I did get my ship back, safe and sound."

Rex made a suggestion, "Hey, how about this? Make them work for the Guild, and get them to work off what they owe that way!"

"Wha-?" One of the kids was surprised.

Garram: "These brats?" You sure you're not inviting them to steal again? "Are you saying, we should make salvagers of them?"

Rex agreed, "I think they show a lot of promise! They've got pretty quick fingers -- right?" He nudged to the kids, not waiting for their reply, turned back to Garram, urged, "Come on, you know it makes sense. They're poor little orphans with nowhere to go! Are you really just gonna... turn them away?"

"You sure know how to twist a guy's arm... All right, I'll do it! I'll sort out the details with Pupunin. But... it's just bed and board for now, got that? If you want paying, you prove yourselves first!"

Rex turned to Rhys, "You hear that? I hope you don't mind..."

"Wow..."He wiped off some tears of gratitude.

"Right then! Work hard, you rascals!"

Translator's note on environment: The Mor Ardain Titan was entirely covered with factory, with steam and smoke emitting from tall chimneys. The Titan's very old, its skin could no longer support lush vegetation plantation. Still, it stood despite. Most of the rusty buildings built there during their Industrial Revolution were not necessarily on land, but they could be carved out into cliff walls.{{footnote: Meaning, the external view was on the cliff wall, while they live inside the man-made cavern.}} Industrial machinery lined every single road on the Titan, transporting cargoes and whatnots to and from factories. This, is the Empire of Mor Ardain.

Footnotes:

Dadapon's Whereabouts, Travel with Mòrag

Entering the City of Mor Ardain, a Nopon was hiding behind some boxes watching them secretly. Dromarch was sensitive to sight; he turned around and searched for whoever was watching them, but the Nopon ducked behind, and he didn't think too much about it, seeing no one suspicious. Everyone else was awed by the city that underwent Industrial Revolution. Power cables overhead connected to one another. Cities of paved floor so clean{{footnote: Of course, in real past London and Amsterdam whatnots, the city was never so clean. People drink from the dirty river; if they want filtered water of various levels, it'd cost them much more. Water pumps requires money payment, and pump for how many minutes it depends on how much you pay, which the pump drew water from the river and reach the tub in your house.}}. Rhinos were tamed to transport objects.

Rex exclaimed, "So this is the imperial capital..."

Tora exclaimed with excitement too, "Such a big city! Maybe there places selling rare junk parts for upgrading Poppi! Time to go look!"

Poppi objected, "Masterpon, Poppi would rather use new parts if possible..."

Just then, some Nopon called for their attention, "Meh- meh! Is that you there, Tooooraaaaa?!" They turned around and saw a green nopon wearing glasses, wearing a lab coat. "Had not see Tora in long time! Remember me -- Muimui?"

"HUH? Why random old guy know Tora's name?"

"Ohhhh... Tora not remember me at all!" Such disappointment. "It Muimui! I- was assistant of Professor Soosoo, your Grampypon!"

Tora recalled, long ago, Professor Soosoo, Muimui, and Tora's dad was working on Poppi when Tora entered the room. He was still a child that time.

"Ohhhhh! You that old Muimui guy? Of course Tora remember! Muimui should have said to start with."

"Muimui did say." He spit out harshly.

"Oh, right! Muimui not very interesting, so Tora forgot he exist."

Rex lectured, "Tora, that's not very nice."

"No no, I do not blame Tora. Tora was very young back then. Not surprising he forget."

Poppi added, "Besides, Masterpon was quiteeeee distracted just now. Only thinking of how to upgrade Poppi."

Muimui's attention was directed to some finished product he'd worked for long. "Whyyyyy, could it be? This look like artificial Blade!"

Tora assured, "Muimui right! Tora studied Grampypon and Dadapon's blueprints carefully, and finished construction!"

"M-eh, meh.... How wonderful... If only Professor Soosoo still here... to see results of hard work!"

"Muimui, you have any idea where Dadapon went?"

"That day, when the lab was attacked, Muimui was out on errand. When I got back, Professor Soosoo's body was lying there."

"Hah..."

"But there was no sign of Professor Tatazo."

Tora was disappointed, "I see... Even Muimui not know..."

Poppi encouraged, "Do not feel down, Masterpon. We will find Dadapon someday. Though no evidence for this hypothesis."

Muimui continued, "Anyway, Muimui apologize for interrupting your trip when you just arrived in city. Friend of Muimui- run an inn just up ahead. Place with famous hot springs. If you like, Muimui can try to get you discount!"

"Muimui is best friend!" So fast Tora bit the bait already. As they were leaving, the Nopon that watched them earlier were watching them leave. This time, no one noticed.

At the female onsen{{footnote: 'hot spring' in Japanese}}, there was two nopon lying in the water beside each other. At the far side of the spring, Poppi was bathing with Nia. Nia felt her bones softened, "Ahhhhhhh, that feels good."

Poppi enjoyed it too, "Such wondrous bliss... Makes aching of journey melt away."{{footnote: Can a metallic 'junk' enjoy hot spring?}}

"Hang on! Should you even be in the bath? Won't you... rust or something?"

Poppi reassured, "There no problem. Poppi made from special alloy. Noooo rust- or neeeeed for oil!"

"Tora thought of everything, huh!"

Poppi looked high upon her "Masterpon is finest artificial Blade maker in allll the world."

Nia's ears flickered as she heard footsteps coming, called out with her eyes closed, "Hey, Pyra! Come on in, the water's great-..." Poppi whom looked around was surprised the long-golden-haired girl replaced the red-short-haired ones, but she didn't remind Nia. Only when she stood beside did Nia turned around, surprised, "Wait, Mythra! Huh?"

They turned their whole body to face her; Poppi swam a bit out from the 'shore'. Why was she here?

She asked, "Is there a... problem?"

"I... I guess not, but..." She looked from bottom to up. Long slender smooth legs, golden ratio body, "N-n-nice... bod you've got there." Poppi looked at herself, cannot see anything. Nia was jealous.

"Thanks."

Then Pyra took over to explain, "When I told her there was a hot spring here, Mythra was- dead set- on trying it out."

Then Mythra took over again, "So... here I am." And she came into the water.

Nia commented, "Must be interesting for you guys..."

Her seriousness dimmed into a smile as she stretched and enjoyed. The slightly cloudy night did not blanket them from the stars totally. The peace of mind the stars accompanied one with, relaxes one's mind. The Nopon on the other side, one was asleep inside the water, another was deep in enjoyment. Mythra stuck her toes out of the water, playfully tickle it against. Nia sat beside her, while Poppi swam in front of them. All were living in their own worlds.

After some time, Nia stood up, "A-nyway. I think I'm heading out."

Mythra noticed something after she stood up, "Nia, are you...?"

Oops, she forgotten about that. "Mm, well... Yeah."

"Do you want us to keep this quiet?"

"I'd appreciate it, yeah. For now."

"Understood." She got out of the water herself while Nia ducked back in. But Mythra reasserted, "You got it."

"Thanks."

There was a tall chimney blocking the sight of the stars; unsure if it decorates well or does it obstructs the art.

Back inside, after they'd dressed up{{footnote: Poppi don't need to dress up: she wore her dress into the water, not sure how she kept it dry. Waterproof, like swimsuit? Or maybe, she could heat up her body and dry them quick?}}, they gathered together, with Nia commenting, "Whewwww, that was a good bath."

Poppi noticed, "Mythra seem veeeery pleased."

"Well, it was my first bath in 500 years. I think I have the right to savor it."

"Can you just switch whenever?" Nia wondered.

"With Pyra? Of course."

And she immediately switched to show it to her, Pyra continued, "Our memories are shared, so it doesn't matter that much who takes control." And Mythra came out again.

Nia was impressed, "Huh! Sounds pretty handy!"

Suddenly, the inn shook, alerted all of them. They dashed quickly to the boys' dorm, and Nia wondered, "Hey, what the hell was that?!"

Rex, Tora, and Gramps were looking out the window in search of its source, while Dromarch answered them, "I cannot say. It sounds like some kind of disturbance..."

Rex suggested, "Let's find out. Come on! Huh?" Just realized it was Mythra there.

"What's that look for?" she asked, tsunderely.

"Oh, I was just... surprised to see you..."

"You'd rather I was her?"

"I-I didn't mean it like that..." but he looked away.

"Hmph!"

Whatever, no time to think about that. They all dashed outside into the metallic balcony, searching for its source, when Mythra had something for Rex, "Hey, can I ask something?"

"You need permission now?"

"Do you mind- if I stay like this for the time being?"

"Like this... you mean, as Mythra?"

"It hasn't been long since I woke up, and this is all new to you. We need time to adjust to using my power."

Pyra took over and explained, "She and I talked it over together. Mythra's power is much stronger than mine, but it has its limitations. It can be difficult to use in tight spaces. It might be best if you get used to using her in different situations."

"I mean, I don't mind at all. I'd like to learn more about you, too."

Just when Mythra took over, she felt somewhat blushy-crushy, her hearts racing fast as she stuttered, "Wh-what's that supposed to mean? I don't see how I'm any different from her, really."

Scratching his head, Rex voiced the difference he noticed, "Really? You can certainly be more... touchy sometimes..."

"W-well, that's just who I am! What do you expect me to do?!"

"You see what I mean?"

"Tzk! Errrrgghhh... What's that smile for?!" she lashed out at him.

"No, I just thought... it's been fun... lately. A lot's happened since meeting Pyra. And- now I've met you too!"

"A lot of that stuff can't have been easy, though. So why the smile?"

"Even rough patches can be valuable experiences. Is that weird?"

"Always the optimist."

"Gramps gets mad at me for being TOO positive sometimes..."

Gramps corrected him from behind, "More like- ALL the time!"

No time to talk. There was another explosion in the distance, followed by dark smoke bellowing into the air, shaking the ground. Their attention diverted, "Ah, was that over there?!"

"Looks like it." Mythra agreed with him. New adventure began.

Metal clashing as arquebusiers fired bullets at the escaping enemy. Despite the moon as the only source of light, the silhouette, seen running on rooftops from the ground, distinguished against the cloudy night. The silhouette stopped. The soldiers stopped, maintaining their distance within range of their ranged weapons; but bullets that hit only fell, doesn't even leave a dent.

"What the hell? I know we didn't miss..."

"Is she a Blade?"

"No, look!" The 3rd soldier warning was too late. The silhouette closed in fast and brought one to the ground; the others backed away, but not fast enough. As one got hit on his stomach and chin, he realized before dropping to the ground, "That body's... mechanical?"

Rex's group arrived late. He wondered, "Whaaaaaat the-? Who's that?"

"Meh?" Tora seemed to see this figure before. Where? He tried to recall. It's too dark to see clearly. Only when the clouds clear and the moonlight shone directly on her did he recognized, "L...Lila?!"

The artificial Blade with no emotion turned her back towards them, fired its rocket boosters, and shot into the air. Tora ran after her, shouted, "WAIT! LILA!!!"

"Wait up, Tora!" Rex called, trying to get him to stop and explain before going after her. Poppi watched and wondered if there's any relation between her and Lila.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the rooftop, the Nopon that'd been following them since their arrival was looking at them through a pair of binoculars.

"Hurrrr Not here... Where did she go...?!"

Rex and the others caught up, him asking, "Tora, wait. Did you know that girl?"

Gramps noticed, "She seemed... somehow... similar to Poppi..."

"It was... Lila."

"Lila?" Rex wondered who she is.

"The artificial Blade Tora's Dadapon and Grampypon were making. Tora recognize her anywhere."

Poppi read something on her panels, warned, "Masterpon, there an ether furnace reading nearby... Huh Up there!" The roof to their left, Lila was standing atop, watching them.

Tora was overjoyed, "Lila! It is you!"

Lila didn't recognize him, nor does her emotional system as complex as Poppi's, robotically spoke out, "Ether furnace reading detected. Initiating protocol." She jumped and landed in front of them, prepared to fight.

Electric sparkled from her joints, her ether furnace cannot keep up with her energy drain, she concluded, "Probability of success falling. Switching to... strategic retreat mode." Her rocket booster brought her up into air once more after she turned around.

Tora swiftly tucked his weapon into his pocket, pleaded, "LILA, WAIT!!!" But she had gone behind the gate. The group cannot vault over{{footnote: Well except for Poppi and Rex (with his anchor), but the rest had to wait for them to bring over, by then it would be too late.}}, watch her ran away. Poppi urged another path of intersection, hopefully they're quick enough to get after her.

A lot of running and they were at a mini desert just outside the city. Looking around, Rex announced, "She's gone..."

Poppi confirmed, "Ether furnace reading lost... It seem she has escaped."

"Lila..." All hopes to meet Dadapon had gone once more. He recalled, and narrated, "Long time ago, Grampypon Soosoo and Dadapon Tatazo were working on her. Her name was Lila..."

Dadapon and Grampypon argued with each other about the inactivated Lila at the lab. They couldn't reach an agreement. Then, the young Tora entered the lab and pointed furiously at Lila.

"Grampypon and Dadapon and- Tora all wanted to become Driver. However, not single one of us have potential..."

Like Tora, all his ancestors had fountain-like nosebleed for days after trying to resonate with a Core Crystal.

"So, we decide to work together and make artificial Blade. Blade even... WE can use!"

Tora had high hopes for their success.

"But then..."

One day, they were working in the lab when a green Nopon wearing lab coats entered the room, shielding his face with sunglasses, pointing a gun at them, and brought with him Mor Ardain soldiers. Despite they raised their wings over their head, surrendering, a smirk came on the Nopon's face and he fired at Grampypon Soosoo, ending his life.

Dadapon Tatazo checked Grampypon Soosoo's arteries; no more heartbeat. Turning around, he shouted, handling him a box "You must run, Tora! Take this and go! Someday, you finish what we started!"

Tora didn't hesitated; he ducked past the soldiers and escaped into the dark. Dadapon Tatazo was after that captured.

"After that, Tora hide out in Torigoth city. Making Poppi based on blueprints... and ether furnace Dadapon left for Tora." He looked at Poppi, perhaps explaining to her more than to the group.

Mythra wondered, "Don't you have any idea who the attackers were?"

"Tora not know who, but they definitely wanted to steal Lila."

Nia wondered, "If it was Lila they were after, how'd she end up here in the Empire? It looked like there were imperial soldiers after her..."

He shook his head, "Tora have no idea... But one thing is most confusing."

"What's that?" Rex wanted to know.

"When bad guys attacked the lab, Lila was not finished. There only one who could finish making Lila -- Dadapon Tatazo!"

"Which means..."

Gramps concluded primitively, "Tora's father... must- still- be- alive- somewhere?"

Tora was sure that "Dadapon must be held captive by whoever. Using. Lila."

Not enough info to conclude. When they were busy with their thoughts, a soldier suddenly shouted from behind, "You there! Don't. Move!" They looked around and found themselves surrounded by a decade.

Gramps noted, "Imperial soldiers..."

Leading the decade was Mòrag and Brighid. Once again they met.

Nia can't believe what she saw, "You!"

Mòrag: "So, we meet again, Driver of the Aegis!"

One soldier eyed Poppi, announced, "Lady Mòrag, she's the one! That mechanical girl took down our squad!"

Rex exclaimed, "WHAT?! Hang on a minute!" You got the wrong person!

Nia jumped on her feet, "Where the hell'd you get that idea?!"

Poppi can understand why, voiced, "Unfortunately, they cannot tell difference between Lila... and Poppi."

Mòrag remembered his name, "So, Rex, was it? Rex, I'm very disappointed to find you stooping to such lowly crimes."

"Lowly crimes?! WHAT THE HECK?! I'm telling you, you've got the wrong guys!" But they wouldn't listen; a battle therefore begun.

"Your skills- have improved, boy!" Her whip lashed at him. He dodged it and called out,

"Mythra!"

"I know, I know. I won't use that power, OK? Let's stick to Foresight for this. If you really need to attack, I'll hand it over to Pyra."

"Thanks!" He closed in distance with Mòrag, engaged in melee.

She noticed something else, "The Aegis has changed. What happened to her appearance? Answer me!"

"You want answers, then put the swords away! What's wrong with you?" He pushed her away.

"I'll listen to your confession- while you lie defeated!" Without looking, she threw one of her whip to the side, and Brighid caught it, came quickly to her side, and stood side by side. Dual whip clashed together and formed rattlesnakes. Flames with high concentration combined and lashed at them. Foresight activated -- time stopped.

"Rex! After this Foresight, I'll switch to Pyra!"

"Understood!" As he moved adeptly, fitting his body within the high concentration of fireballs.

When Foresight stopped, Mòrag was surprised, "Impossible! He dodged it?!"

"Now it's my turn!" Incoming Burning Sword.

Brighid called for her attention, "Lady Mòrag! Look at the Aegis!"

"So you can change at will!"

"Eat. THIS!" Mòrag intended to defend hard, didn't dodge. The flames reached just a few centimeters in front of them before turning up, blasting in the air. "Pyra?!"

She explained, "We can do this... without hitting them."

"Hah! It's like you read my mind."

"Heheh!"

She pointed her truncheon at them, asked angrily, "Are you holding back on me again, boy?"

"We just don't have any reason to fight you."

"Urgh!"

"Enough. Both of you." The secret Nopon finally surfaced himself from the background.

Mòrag recognized, "I know you. You're from the Argentum Guild's Intelligence Division."

"Lady Mòrag, stand down arms! These not the ones who infiltrate the facility... and attack your soldiers."

After some explanation, Mòrag asked, "Then, the culprit behind the attack... was not the artificial Blade standing her now. Is that right?"

"They very similar, but not the same. Niranira saw her with own eyes."

Dromarch now recalled, "I had a feeling... we were being watched since our arrival."

Niranira acknowledged, "I quite sorry- for causing concern. Niranira has been- 'auditing'- Argentum Trade Guild."

Nia understood, "Ahhhh, so you were keeping an eye on us because we came in on a Guild ship."

"How ironic that your suspicion- should happen to prove our innocence." commented Dromarch.

Mòrag concluded him trustable, sheathed her weapons, and apologized to the group, "It appears I was too hasty in judging you. I should not have attacked you so suddenly. My apologies." She gave them a neck bow, and the soldiers stood in line behind her and waist-bowed to the group.

Rex felt the formality way too strongly, furiously shook with his hands held out, "N-n-no, that's fine! Nobody got hurt in the end. I'm just glad it all got cleared up now." He looked towards Nia, and they eyed each other, not sure what they were thinking.

Gramps prided, "An apology from the illustrious Flamebringer? A rare reward in itself."

Tora expressed his anger at Mòrag, "Tora still not happy! Should get year's supply of Tasty Sausages as compensation!"

Poppi quietly lectured him, "Masterpon. Have some self-respect."

Mòrag seemed to agreed with him. "Hmm. I will do what I can within my own means to compensate you." Turning back at Rex, "By the way, the culprit who fled the scene... may I ask what manner of connection you have with them? You must tell me all."

Mythra replaced Pyra, and the storytelling session began.

"I see. It seems it would be best for all of us- if- we worked together for the moment." she suggested.

Gramps was surprised, "Us- work- with you?"

"Indeed. My goal is to capture the artificial Blade... and track down the criminals behind its actions. And from what you just told me, those I seek... likely have Tora's father held captive. Would you not say our interests align?"

Rex couldn't find flaw in her logic, "Uhhhh, I guess so?"

Mythra saw the upsides, "Well, it's definitely better to have her working with us... than against us. We shouldn't take the power of Brighid, Jewel of the Empire, too lightly. If she went all out on me, even I wouldn't be able to hold back. And then... we'd burn this place to the ground." Tora and Poppi fluttered with fear.

"I am honored... that the Aegis herself- thinks so highly of me."

"You may not remember it, but... I've faced you a few times before. Let's just say... it wasn't easy." she commented queasily.

Rex was surprised, "Ohhhh, really?"

"But- that's a story for another time. What do you say, guys?"

Nia agreed, "I can't deny I'd rather avoid making an enemy of them." Dromarch, Tora, and Poppi nodded.

Rex replied back, "All right, then! So, from this moment on I suppose we're allies!" He walked forward and held out his hand. Mòrag took it and shook, witnessed by Niranira.

The soldiers and Niranira had left them alone. Mòrag announced her timetable, "For the moment, I will return to the palace. If you learn anything new, please send word. I will instruct the palace guards... to allow you audience with me."

Rex agreed, "All right." Then they watched them go.

Brighid looked over her shoulder and asked her Driver, "Are- you- sure- you wish to partner with these people?"

She replied, "Just as you were not using your full strength, neither still were they. Yet you saw the power they demonstrated. How could I not feel intrigued?"

"Drawn by your Driver instincts?"

"Something like that. And besides..." She looked to Brighid, and they turned around and looked at the group. They were gathering around in a circle, chatting. She continued, "I get the feeling that, if I stay near that boy, I might bear witness to something quite extraordinary."

They explained their situation to Muimui back at the lobby. "It sound like you have quite the adventure. But it good that you work things out."

Rex turned to the group, "Anyway, we'll see if we can... track Lila down somehow ourselves."

"I too will see if I can find any leads. No matter what, Muimui and friends will find Professor Tatazo!"

The group reported back to Mòrag at the Castle, after gathering enough evidence from eyewitnesses, "I see. There was indeed once a factory there. However, it was abandoned some 30 years ago."

"So, you think we've got 'em?" asked Nia.

"We can't be certain unless we investigate."

"Shall we go?" asked Rex.

"You?"

"We won't do anything reckless. If it seems dangerous, we'll turn back. How's that sound?"

"Hmm... To tell the truth, it would be difficult for me to dispatch the military so quickly. Would you?"

"Sure thing!"

"Now, let me share what information I have found. There are rumors about town... that an esteemed- Nopon merchant is involved in this affair."

"An esteemed- Nopon- merchant..." A Nopon merchant again? Vandham mentioned some Nopon were spreading the news about the Aegis, were they the same Nopon? Whom had he traded with before? One came brightly in his head, "Chairman Bana?!"

"Well, we're currently searching the transaction records. If we find anything, we will inform you."

"Pretty busy, eh?"

"I don't deny it. I will head to the location myself as soon as I am able to mobilize some troops."

"All right, then."

Footnotes:

One-Eyed Monster, Confrontation at the Factory

Trekking their way to the factory, they were walking beside some cliff walls when suddenly, some laughters echoed, "AH HAHAHAHAHAH!!!" Searching for its source, they didn't wait long before Zeke and Pandoria revealed themselves. "So we meet again, Aegis!" He tilted his head higher and looked at the group over his nose.

Nia exclaimed, "Oh. It's Shellhead."

He answered too quickly, "Yes. WAIT, WHO'S 'SHELLHEAD'?!!!"

Dromarch commented, "As ever, your comic timing is exquisite."

"URGH! YOU WILL ADDRESS ME AS ZEKE VON GENBU, BRINGER OF CHAOS!!!" He slashed his swords at them, strongly showing how determinant he was. Though, his sword was a little too long, and Pandoria had to tilt a little more to prevent being 'accidentally' struck by it. "OR ZEKE! Or THE ZEKENATOR!!!"

Nia was too tired, "Make your mind up. And what the hell is a Zekenator, anyway?"

He's not answering, "Hah! You may have been lucky last time, thanks to a certain- unstable cliff. But this time round, we meet on good olddddd- terra- firma!" They stepped on the ground hard several time, each time moving their feet forward and bent lower; while he continued raining saliva at them, pushing his lungs to its limit of not stopping to breath midsentence.

Zeke continued, "If you think you can run from me a second time, you are Quite. Mistaken!"

Nia: "Nobody did any running... And anyway, Shellhead?"

"What?"

Pandoria facepalmed herself, wondered, "You answer to that now?"

Nia continued, "I've been wondering for a while now... but, what's with the cutesy eyepatch?" She pointed at his pirate-eyepatch.

"Heh! I'm quite glad you asked. This eyepatch conceals a power too great for mere mortals to comprehend. The Eyeeee- of SHINING JUSTICE!!!" He stared at them with his other eye, deliberately not noticing all of them had been very impatient with his speech, "I am sworn to keep it sealed until its power is needed to save mankind. You should count yourself lucky. It would turn you to ash in seconds!"

Nia don't believe his blunders, "Whatever you say, pal."

Pandoria stepped forward to try denying, "He definitely isn't wearing it because he didn't have the gold... for a second contact- lens."

Nia shot back at them, "How poor are you?! And are you THAT short-sighted?!"

Dromarch wanted to get to the main point, "By the by, what business might you have with us today?"

Zeke can't believe they didn't yet knew, "Are you thick? I'm here for the Aegis, obviously!" He pointed his sword at Mythra. She looked over the side of her eyes, and head tilted away again, eyes closed, too tsundere.

Nia tried to convince him, "Listen, pal. I'm sorry, but we really don't have time to play with you today. So hurry on home, OK?" And she shooed him, her arms wavered strongly like swatting flies away from bothering you.

"W-what's this? W-were you so frightened by our power, that you wet yourself, furry-ears?"

She was incited, "Did I WHAT? YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF NERVE, YOU ONE-EYED MONSTER!!!"

The way she spat out 'One-Eyed Monster' blindmindedly triggered those who knew its indirect meaning -- Rex, Mythra, and Dromarch. Mythra felt her face red hot, while the other two gasped.

Rex tried to get to her, "N-Nia? You do know 'one-eyed monster' usually means..." He got closer to her, tried to speak in her ears. But she was currently in a fury, shot back at him,

"Huh?! Means what?!"

He backed away at such aggressiveness, "Um... It's, ah..." Explaining it in public loudly, are you serious? Blood rushed up his face as he tried to find a better word, or perhaps, furiously looking around to find something to change the topic, until he saw her, "Mythra, why are you blushing?"

She deliberately looked away to not let them see; he deliberately went around to look clearly at her face. Even Gramps stick his body out of the helmet more.{{footnote: All the while Poppi was so blank watching their interaction.}} She turned her blushed face at him, against all odds, and Gramps already knew what would happen next. A strong hand swing hard on his cheek, and "Shut up!"

And the battle begins.

A lot of force brought Zeke dragging along the dusty terra firma before he came to a halt. Already tired, "(pant pant pant)... You guys are even tougher than last time!" He fell backward, and Pandoria caught him on time. He retained his pose despite feeling effete, and his mouth never stop taking advantage of the group, "However, your luck ends right here." With a grim, he summoned whatever energy left within him, released huge amount of electricity on his sword, "HERE WE GO!!! HIYAH!!!" The strong lightning power sent electric sparkles at the group as they shield themselves from the numbness. "BRINGER OF CHAOS!!! ULTIMATE LIGHTNING FURY SLASH... MAXXXXXXX!!!"

Once again, it missed the group, created a symbol on the ground in front of them. Aside from the electric sparkles, it did them no damage. Black smoke and thick dust did obscured their view, though, as they shielded their eyes and nose and mouth.

Nia couldn't believe it, "COME ON!!! THAT WAS THE SAME AS LAST TIME!!!" How bad is your accuracy?

He slowly tilted his head up, grinned regardless, "Hah!" And like last time, the terra firma started shaking. The group tried finding the source, when Mythra spotted something up on the cliff wall.

"Urrrr..."

"Huh?" Following her view, he looked, and a giant boulder stuck to the top of the cliff at a delicate balance, started shaking off the ground that held it, destroying the balance. Slowly but surely, the boulder started rolling and tumbled down,

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!" Screaming, the immediately turned around and ran as fast as they could, hoping to reach the Cloud Sea not far in front before being caught up by it. With full force and largest stride, their will to stay alive pumped their adrenaline to its max; but how could their velocity be compared to a giant boulder pulled by gravity?

"P-Pandy! Can't you do something?!"

"Sorrysorrysorry!!! You know my element's lightning! I'm not cut out for this!" Just a little more, the Cloud Sea was just beyond.

Zeke turned around, "Umph!", puffed out whatever energy he had within him to rush for the cliff, but just a step before, the boulder caught up with them and sent them blasting into the air beyond. "ARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHH!!!" And that's the legend of the One-Eyed Monster!

Rex can't believe it, "S...seriously, though, what's their problem?"

Nia sighed, "Ugh. What idiots. C'mon!" And they walked past, not sparing another second thinking about him.

Conveyor belts manufacturing artificial Blade's body and ether cylinder in the thousands. From the office on the 1st floor{{footnote: British standard, 0th floor is 'Ground' floor.}}, Bana, accompanied by Muimui, was satisfied. "Now this... quite the sight."

Muimui reported, "Production has been running non-stop, 24 hours a day!"

"Muimui... Once we have first thousand ether furnaces, we sell them to Torna." Bana announced.

He was confused by his decision, "Eh? Mehmeh? But I thought this project funded by Roderich, from Imperial Senate. Was it not Senator- who gave us info on Core Chips for Lila to steal, too?"

Bana was a far larger potato than Muimui. The giant potato refused to let anything but money changes his mind. "That make no difference. We go- where profit goes. Old geezer can wait a bit longer for his turn. Once war break out with Uraya, he get desperate and offer more MONEY!"

Such idol on money, "Chairman Bana so amaaaaazing! Did not realize thinking about this was so deep."

He was flattered, "MEHEHEHEHAHAHAH!!! FIRST rule of making money."

The Abandoned Factory was not so abandoned, eh? With full scale artificial Blade and ether furnace production at full speed. The group sneaked inside the factory and found the sight worrying. An abandoned factory clearly should not have such activity levels. Rex questioned, "Are all of these artificial Blades...?"

Tora worries came true, "Then- Dadapon really must be..." He looked around, hoping to see the figure he'd hoped to return to him for long; but could not yet find.

Gramps wondered, "Hmmm... What exactly are they planning here? Well, whatever it is, it can't be good..." And they continued their journey; but the lift was deactivated -- they'd to find another way down.

The group hovered over an air vent located on the ceiling of the control room. A tirkin below was speaking full of disrespect to Tora's Dadapon, "Professor Tatazo! Speak, speak, you give orders! If production get more slow, maybe you ready for sleep time with fishes..."

"Reduce load on neural circuits by 20%. That should improve production efficiency!" he shouted commands.

"See? It not so hard." The tirkin got what he needed, turned away and exit the control room.

Tatazo? "Hey! Isn't that. Huh?" Rex turned to where Tora was expected to be, but he was already gone.

Tatazo was going elsewhere when he heard a thud from behind. Turning around, despite he grew up a lot, he immediately recognized, "Ah! Could it be... Tora, that you?"

"You really Dadapon Tatazo?" He felt anxious. What if he isn't? What if he's just a clone? Or someone else looking similar? All hopes would be gone.

"TORAAAAA!!!"

"Dadapon!" And they came to embrace each other, hugging and crying. "Tora miss you so much!"

"I miss you too!" The group dropped down behind them.

Rex felt heartwarming. On the road to Elysium, helping someone to find their missing loved ones? "Ahhhh, that's great."

"Hrrrr hrrrrrhhhhh..." Someone crying... but wait, it wasn't from Tora and Tatazo, it's from one's left. He swung his head around and saw tears at the tip of Mythra's eyes. He searched his pocket and handed her a handkerchief.

"Thanks..." She did not retain her tsundere this time.

"Who all these people?" After Tatazo finished rejoicing, his attention turned to the others.

Being too overwhelmed, Tora accidentally spat out, "They Tora's sidekicks... I mean, sidek- I mean new friends!" So, that's how you think of us? Or you just want to please your Dadapon?

"Wonderful! They come here for you? You have good friends." Eyeing one by one, Poppi caught his eyes, "Oh! That artificial Blade..."

Tora introduced, "This is Poppi! Tora make her by improving on blueprints for Lila!" Stuck his nose high, waiting for praises to shower him.

His dad was pleased, "MEH MEH!!! Most impressive. Tora MUST have worked hard!"

Dromarch interrupted them, bringing them back to reality, bluntly warned, "If I may, I know there is a lot of catching up to do, but perhaps we should escape!"

Gramps agreed, "A very good point. Come on, Rex!"

"Right!"

"Not so fast, intruders!" Too late. Muimui had returned with some tirkins.

"Muimui!" Dromarch was surprised.

Nia: "Don't tell me...?!"

"Really, now? You actually not realize it yet? Muimui give you information on purpose, to lure you to factory. If we not want you here, you would never find this place so easily!" He just ripped their face off{{footnote: This analogy came from F.I.A.S.C.O. by Frank Partnoy, where someone from the derivatives department of Morgan Stanley, when they sell something highly risky and sure to fall to clients just to earn their fees, and when it fail, they tell them straight in the face but client surely can't win the legal case because it's written in fine prints in the discretion section, is how you 'rip their face off'.}}.

Tora was angered, took out his drill and pointed at him, "Meh meh! HOW DARE YOU!!!"

"Masterpon is really angry." noted Poppi.

Muimui voiced his goal, "Meh... Finally I have chance to seize precious artificial Blade. Now! Take care of these intruders!" He was not joining the fight, letting the tirkins deal with them.

All tirkins dropped to the floor and burned to ashes. Muimui was standing in front of the entrance, shuddering, "H-h-how can you be so strong...?!!!" His greed is justified, except he don't have the power to fulfil his greed.

Nia: "Now we're gonna need some answers. What were you people plotting here?"

He pretended naïveté, wobblingly answered, "O-ordinary business! We innocently mass-produce ether furnaces and artificial Blades, and sell to people who want them!"

Dadapon added to the story, "They threaten Tatazo, and force to participate in production process..."

"Dadapon..." Tora felt heartbreaking. How much torturous feats had his Dadapon went through?

Gramps wasn't moved, "And next you want to get your hands on Poppi? You are a greedy bunch."

"I knew as soon as I saw her! That artificial Blade uses lost ether furnace designed by Professor Soosoo! That is why..."

Tatazo agreed, "You quite right! Even I could NEVER make such incredible furnace as my own Dadapon."

Nia concluded, "So you lured us out here to avoid making a ruckus in the city, is that it?"

"Qu-quite right, yes..." His voice died down.

Tatazo tore down the show he'd put up with them, revealed that "Muimui was part of group plotting to steal artificial Blades all along. While he my Dadapon's assistant, he sell information to contact in Guild and had THEM attack laboratory!"

Tora can't believe, "What?! Then- it all his fault that Grampypon was killed?!"

"Indeed it was."

Rex had the answer, though he wasn't fully sure, "A contact in the Guild... Could it be that the one behind all this is..."

"Indeed! It is I.{{footnote: Such arrogance to use 'I' here. That's why you should use 'one' to refer to yourself than 'I', to signify you're just one of the many and not as unique as you thought you are. Plus, for a nopon, that always refer to themselves by calling their names, to use 'I'? How arrogant.}}" The entrance hatch opened, and Bana, accompanied by Lila, appeared behind Muimui.

Muimui was relief to see his savior here, "M-M-Master Bana!!!"

He scolded him immediately, "You never do- finish job properly, do you?! You manage to lure them alllll this way, AND THEN FAIL TO CAPTURE THEM?!!!!"

"Muimui very sorryyyy..." He bow, hoping he would not smack him for the worst.

He turned back to the group, commented, "But I am nice Nopon." His eyes first laid on Mythra, said, "You brought not only artificial Blade to me, but even the Aegis itself! Once I have ether furnace of Professor Soosoo, I can produce even better artificial Blades, and make a killing! Then I sell Aegis too AND MAKE MOUNTAINSSS OF CASH!!! THEN I CAN FEAST- ON MUSHY MUSHROOMS for life!!!" He was already high on drugs daydreaming.

Rex: "Chairman- Bana! I can't believe you would stoop to this!"

"You should show more respect, after all the valuable work I find for you."

Nia had questions, "So, who are you planning to sell the Aegis to, anyway? Torna, I suppose?!"

"How you know about Torna?!" He observed her closely, recognized, "Wait, I remember you! You one of Torna's Drivers! Wh-wh-wh-wh-what you doing here?!" He felt a little panicky. The mere name of Torna brought him shivering with cold sweat. The only deal he'd with Torna was, "If you come for ether furnaces, they ready in SHIP outside."

Nia jumped on her feet, "What?! You're selling THOSE to Torna as well?!"

He was confused, "Not sure what is going on, but- I will just- beat you all up. LILA! TAKE THEM ALL DOWN!!!"

"Mission acknowledged. Commencing. combat." She powered her rocket boosters and dropped to the ledge below, prepared for battle.

Tatazo called out, "Tora, please destroy her for me. Muimui modified her so she not even listen to Masterpon Tatazo any more!"

"Dadapon... All right! Come on, Poppi!"

"As you wish, Masterpon!" And the battle begins.

Poppi clutching to Lila mid-air; they wrestled for domination. The others don't know how to fly, had no help. Tora cheered for her, though, "Do not let her win, Poppi!"

"Of course, Masterpon!"

Lila cannot understand, "Comprehension error. Your integrated ether furnace- is not- fully activated. As an updated model, my energy throughput is... superior."

Poppi rebutted, "Energy efficiency not the problem here. Poppi's masterpon told Poppi not to lose. So Poppi will win. Very simple logic." She channeled more energy to her rocket boosters to made it through.

"Comprehension error." She changed posture and they fought once more.

Poppi concluded, "And that is why you are failure." She caught her, flipped a few times, and vaulted Lila towards the Control Room; the group ducked as she smashed the glass in front of them, landed with a bang on the ledge Bana and Muimui stood.

Tatazo worries spiked, "Lila!" Poppi stopped to assess her danger index, and she and the others waited for the smoke to die out. Electricity leaked through her joints, she had difficulty moving, what says continue fighting.

"Do it, Poppi! One more attack and she down!" urged Tora. Poppi therefore aimed the giant drill at her.

"W-WAIT!!!" Tatazo shouted. "Wait one moment, please!" He used himself as a meat shield between Poppi and Lila. Poppi was shocked by his act, reversed her thrust{{footnote: by aiming her leg in the other direction. 'Reverse thrust' is what planes use when they landed; brakes applied to the wheels probably isn't enough to land before reaching the edge of most airport runways today.}}, pulled the hammer with all her strength, and stopped an inch before coming in contact with Tatazo.

"D-Dadapon?" Tora was confused.

"I sorry, Tora. Even if she no longer listen to me... Even if she become weapon for evil... Lila! Lila is all I have. Only reminder of Dadapon Soosoo. SHE is my treasure..."

A blink came within Lila as she failed to understand yet again, "Comprehension... error..."

Bana was fumed, "What you think you are doing?!" He flickered the remote controlled of Lila to force her to continue fighting. Bright lightning beam shot through the air as Lila's furnace overclocked, disengaging any failsafe mechanism. "No need to bother protecting yourself! STEAL THAT ETHER FURNACE EVEN IF IT DESTROYS YOU!!!" The power was too great to control; she struggled step by step towards Poppi.

"Li...la...is..."

"You not need to listen to his orders, Lila!"

"HURRY AND TAKE IT!!!" He pressed one more button on the remote control. Muimui nodded. Yes, that's it. That's what he wanted. Dog biting dog!

Every step was heavy; smoke bellowed from her joints. Yet even heavier was her heart, her emotions overflowed, "Lila's... Masterpon... is..." Rex eyed Mythra to get ready, Nia read their interactions, prepared herself. "Lila's Masterpon... is Professor Soosoo... and... Professor..." She raised her hand up high into the air, "Tatazo." And punched through her own body, pulled out the control panel implanted within, squeeze it into pieces{{footnote: Such strong strength. One would never be able to do it unless it's soft drink's that kind of soft metal.}}

Bana was flabbergasted, "WHAT?!!! SHE DESTROY CONTROL DEVICE ON HER OWN?!!! MEHMEH!!!" The remote control in his hand burst into smoke.

Lila collapsed on her joints. Poppi was impressed but felt sorry for her, quickly went forward and supported her. Tatazo and Tora came yet after, she said, "I very proud of you... sister."

"Poppi..."

Tora: "Poppi... Lila..."

Bana was still overwhelmed with failure; he just scolded Muimui, and now he's one of the lowly Nopon? "THIS NOT HOW IT SUPPOSED TO GO!!!" But he had one last chance, his ultimate weapon.

"Bana!" Muimui shouted as Bana grabbed him by his ears/wings, questioned,

"WHAT HAPPENED TO ACTIVATION OF ROSA?!!!"

"She ready when you are!"

He quickly dropped him and ran off, "GOOD! DO IT!!!"

"Yessir!" Together, they ran to the side where there was a tunnel, "Hup!" They jumped off before the others noticed, and slid a long distance until it dropped them to 2 seats attached to a circular platform. The platform was attached to a conveyor belt{{footnote: Like those in a lift, you may call it cable or whatever, one don't care, one'll just call it conveyor.}}, which pulled them along at the speed of sound, and docked into a dome room. All controls are by gesture, and the platform quickly moved itself. They'll be back, with Rosa.

Rex was looking too late, "Where did they go?"

Nia suggested, "Rex, let's find 'em!"

"Tora! Poppi! You take care of Professor and Lila! We'll take down those scoundrels!"

They scourge everywhere in the factory for their whereabouts, but no, they could not find. They pass through some giant doors leading to the back of the factory, the last place to search for, Rex wondered, "Where's Bana? Where did he go?"

The ground started shaking as he finished; Gramps panicked, "Wh...wha-wha-wha...what's all this shaking?!"

Overhead, the platform flew past the group, the speaker attached amplified Bana and Muimui's voice from within, "NOPONNNNN GOOOOOO!!!" The meter-thick ground in front of the group opened up, and lifted a giant robot to ground floor, in front of the 3 giant ether tanks.

Nia jumped on her feet, panicked, "Wh-wh-wh-wha-wha-what the hell is that?!!"

The platform floated above the head of Rosa, the figures of Bana and Muimui was blurred by the orange translucent window panes, and Muimui shouted, "ACTIVATEEEEE!!! Docking, complete!!!" The platform extended its Tirkin-shaped wings before docking on Rosa's head, like a crown.

Bana exclaimed full of excitement, "WAHAHA-HAHAH-WAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! HOW YOU LIKE THAT?!!! THIS IS SECRET WEAPON BASED ON BLUE-PRINTS OF LILA, GIGANTIC ARTIFICIAL BLADE: ROSA! HAHAHAHH!!!"

Dromarch was impressed, "You enlarged the design? Incredible..."{{footnote: As if big means more powerful...}}

"HAHAHAH!!! NOW, you all BOW before the POWER of Bana! Go get them, RRRRRRROSA!!!"

Rex commented, "Ugh... This is too ridiculous for words. Come on!"

"Urgh..."

Nia exclaimed, "It's too... strong for us..."

Dromarch suggested, "Allow me! I shall serve as a decoy. And then-..."

"No, Poppi will take care of that." Poppi and Tora entered the scene. Poppi's whole body was lit with light, energy too strong to mask.

"Tora! Poppi!" Rex called out.

Mythra noted, "Poppi? This energy's incredible...!"

"Thanks to my sister Lila...!"

In the control room, as Lila was dying, she called out, "Masterpon... Profusest apologies- for letting them control Lila like that..."

Tora compared and complaint in his head, "Lila show much more respect for Masterpon than Poppi do..."

Tatazo shook his head, was grateful, "No need for apologies. You come back, and that, enough for me."

Turning to Poppi, "Sister... Lila did- awful things."

Poppi shook her head, commented, "Poppi used to people doing awful things."

Tora fluttered in a panic, "Who Poppi mean by that?!" But she wasn't answering him.

Lila continued, "Poppi, Lila has one more... request. We have- many- new sisters..."

Poppi understood her wishes, nodded firmly, "Poppi will save them. It is my duty."

Despite her facial emotions flat, she spoke flatly, "Lila happy. Now, Lila has one thing left to do... Poppi... Use Lila as starter, and..." She held out her other hand difficultly, electric leaking through her joints. Poppi grabbed hold of her hand, giving her strength.

That reminded Tatazo, "Ahhh, of course! Poppi's ether furnace... Using experimental ether furnace from Lila, it can be fully ignited!"

"But then..." Poppi felt sad, hesitant.

Tora asked, "Will Lila be all right doing thing like that?!"

"It least I can do..." and she started channeling the energy to Poppi, electric sparkles covering both their metallic body, "Use the flames of Lila's life... to save them..."

Tora called out, excited to see what new power she'd got, "Nowwww, Poppi! Show them your reallll power!"

"Roger that, Masterpon!" She throw her scarf and it swirled around her so fast it wrapped her in a scarf-ball.

Within the ball, Poppi narrated, "Initiating QT Mode. Engage!" And she started transforming into a teenage girl. The group watched in awe as bright light released from the energy center.

Muimui was flabbergasted, hypothesized, "-C-can it be...?! She manage to fully activate... ether furnace!"

Bana: "WHAT?!!" Bad news.

Amidst fire and flames, burning through cloaks, she revealed herself, the brand new Poppi QT.

Bana don't believe, "Meh meh! No matter how much power she have, she still no match for mighty creation of Bana!" Aiming the crosshair at Poppi QT, he ordered, "CRUSH HER, RRRRRROSA!!!" Red light lit up, and Rosa prepared for another battle.

Electric sparkled on Rosa's joints, and down it went, crashing on the ground. The docking port detached itself. The group sheathed the weapon, Tora announced, "Hah! Justice always prevail!"

"Masterpon, that enough gloating now." She turned to Rosa, thought, "Now, maybe you too- won't be used for bad things any more."

"Ahhh!" Nia's shout brought their attention to the docking port. Muimui laid unconscious, and "Bana's vanished again!"

Dromarch's eagle-sharp eye scanned the environment and located him, pointing with his claws, "Over there, my lady!" He had reaching for the factory's back entrance.

Rex shouted out, "Hold it!" And all of them ran after him.

They'd Bana surrounded at the ledge. The sea was just over the ledge, but he'd nowhere to run unless he jump, but he wouldn't have the time to as long as their attention were on him, "Meh-meh-meh! You veeeeery persistent!"

Rex urged, "You need to learn when to quit!"

And that is to "Stop producing artificial Blades! You used Grampypon's research for evil long enough!"

"B-but that would MEAN FINANCIAL DISASTER!!!" And that cannot be accepted. "How much you think I poured into this endeavor?!"

Rex then decided, "Ohhh, OK. We'll just hand you over to the Imperial Army, then. They'll be reaaaaally interested in all the stuff you had Lila doing. And I bet that's not all they could dig up on you, is it?"

"URK!!!" Time to play to feelings, "Rex... I NEVER had you down as such a CONNIVING boy."

"Me? Look who's talking!"

"All right. I stop production of artificial Blades." One'll be back for sure; if one escape today, one'll pay back the price you paid to one hundred-fold, thousand-fold! Just you wait.

Tora and Rex childishly cheered, as if they'd won the war, as if he really meant it.

Just then, a female voice interrupted from behind, "That Nopon is still of use to us... Do you really have to interfere?" The group turned around and saw the girl with her Blade, and another handsome guy coming up with his Blade.

Nia recognized them on sight, "Patroka! Mikhail!"

Patroka was surprised, "Hm? Oh, if it isn't Nia. Akhos did mention you had turned traitor."

"Nia know these people?!" Tora hadn't yet joined the dots.{{footnote: That is, despite them mentioning Akhos, whom he should know by now but he don't use his brain enough.}}

"They're Drivers from Torna. Of all the lowlifes Bana could have made a deal with..." Why these two?

Patroka heard the label she gave them, "Lowlifes? Coming from the traitorous rookie? You should watch your words..."

Mikhail put his arms around her, playboy-ly spoke, "Don't mind her, Patroka. Not when we are standing before the Aegis herself!" He gingerly walked like a female scared of getting dirty, gingerly danced like a pro in front of her, exclaimed, "Ah, truly the heavens must have blessed us that we- ARRRRBURGGH!!" Reaching near her, her volcano within can no longer hold, kissing his chin with her fist.

He cannot stop being an actor, dropped to the ground on purpose, while she who knew what he's doing, spit out, "Mik... Please, shut up."

"'Kay." He hobbled from behind her back to where his Blade stood.

"The traitor, we kill. The Aegis, we retrieve. Got it? It's a pain, but that's the mission."

"Roger." Mikhail wielded dual huge metal fist, which had shields built-in on the outside. Patroka wielded a gun, but her Blade had 4 hands, wielding a sword, a hammer, a spear, and an unknown weapon, changing at will.

Rex announced, "Mythra and Nia... They are my friends and comrades. I'm not letting you touch them!" And the battle began.

While Mikhail was defending Rex's attacks, Patroka's blade came to his side and surprised him, "What?" He managed to dodge and "ERRRRGGGHHH!!" ran back towards them. Mythra was having the time to scan the environment while they fight, looking at the beams, the roof, the sky.

Nia helped Rex, commented, "Ugh... These guys are tough! One's got weapons galore, the other's a master of defense. It's like taking on a small army."

Mythra had made up her decision, after lots of math going within her brain, "Rex, I'm ready."

"Seriously? We're inside a building here!"

"I analyzed the structure integrity. It should survive one blow. But we'll... have to do it right beneath that crane. Anywhere else is too risky."

Rex agreed, "All right. Then let's force them over there. Guys?"

Nia: "All right, sounds like a plan."

Tora: "Understood!"

"YEEEEAAHHHHHH!!!" Rex dashed for Patroka's Blade. Nia went for Mikhail himself.

"HAH!"

Patroka aimed her gun at them, asked them to "Just give up."

Before the fight continued further, some strong heat was scorching the left side of his body. Rex looked and immediately saw incoming blue flames, smearing the floor and raised a flaming wall in between them. Patroka was shocked, "WHA-?! Blue flames?!" Why the outlier now?

Rex called out excitedly, "Mòrag", whom pointed her truncheon at them, accompanied by Brighid.

"Honestly, Did you not say you wouldn't be reckless?"

"Things got complicated. Thanks though!" Mòrag slashed the flames she raised and extinguished it, once she got near Rex and the others.

Patroka noted, "The... Flamebringer...!"

Mikhail got headache, "As if we didn't have enough to deal with already!"

Rex got near her and requested, "Mòrag, can you push them back towards that crane?"

"Do you actually have a plan, or is that too much to expect?"

"Course! Have a little faith!"

"Very well."

"Let's go!" Round 2.

Mikhail complaint, "Urk, I guess they don't call her the stronnnnngest Driver in the Empire for nothing."

"Let's surround them with a wall of flame." Mòrag invited.

Rex understood what she meant, but was surprised, "Brighid and Pyra together?!"

Brighid pushed forward, no time to waste, "We will attack from the left. Can you take care of the right?"

Pyra took over and accepted, "All right, then! We'll try to match your timing!" And to Rex, "Then I'll switch to Mythra right away! Keep an eye on your sword's energy charge."

"Yeah, got ya!"

Mòrag: "Here goes!"

Mikhail saw what they're trying to do, felt they were asinine, "Jokers. Trying to surround US?"

"HARRRRGGGGHHH!!!"

As Mikhail blocked Mòrag's flames, he mentioned, "Not a chance!"

But she wasn't the only one he'd to deal with. Nia rode on Dromarch and got to the side, instructed, "Dromarch! Wild Roar!"

"HARRGGH!!! FROM THE SIDE?!!" The force pushed him to within the expected wall of flames.

Patroka felt her ears doused with too much Mikhail's voice, "Ngh... Try to focus, Mik! Wha?!"

"Poppi! Jet Biter!" When did he and Poppi QT came to her left?

"Roger that!"

"Don't. Get. Cocky." She tried aiming her gun at them; but Poppi QT was faster. A bazooka launched the Jet Biter, immediately the bomb blasted, shaking the floor, pushing both her and Mikhail to beneath the crane.

"Now!" ordered Mòrag, herself running towards them.

"Right!"

"Azure Striker, Form the Second: Radiance!"

"Rolling Smash!" They were now surrounded by walls of flames.

Patroka can't believe it, "We're surrounded?! Then we go up-... huh" Oh no.

Mythra was floating high above, like an angel from the sky. The crystal on her head shone bright, the machine in outer space received her instruction. Mikhail focused on something else instead, "Sh-she's beautiful..."

Feathers floated down, from where it came, we don't know. A huge beam strike from outer space, straight at them, "ARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!" The dusty wind blew strong, the group shielded their eyes.

The dust ceded, Nia was flabbergasted, "No way... They're still standing after that...?!"

Mòrag observed more clearly, "No... She calculated the precise power output required. That's the Aegis for you. Remarkable."

Her words was true. Amidst panting and groaning in pain, their Blades disappeared, just like Obrona's, turning back into a Core Crystal. Nia now "I get it. You were aiming for their Blades' Cores!"

Tora and Poppi came dashing after them, "Bad guys all beat up too!"

Their weapons had disappeared. Patroka looked over her shoulder where her Blade should've stood, no more. She looked back at her weapon, and it's disappearing before her. She reached out for it, the feelings she'd for it; now it's gone, her possession, before her eyes. The volcano in her chest came active, exploded, "Why... Why, you...! YOU PIECES OF TRASH!!! HOW DARE YOU DESTROY MY BELOVED WEAPON?! I'LL TEAR YOU ALL TO PIECES!!!" Even without a Blade, she stood yet again. Mythra landed back beside Rex, wondered what can she do next, "I'LL SLAUGHTER YOU ALL!!! I'LL SHRED YOU WHERE YOU STAND!!!" And some demonic power released from within her, engulfed her, the shockwaves it sent blew strong at the group.

Mikhail called out, "Stop! You can't use that here, Patroka!" Is she out of her mind? Oh, she probably was.

Mòrag felt "Such immense power...! Just who is this girl?!" She prepared to fight, but Brighid noticed something else, stopped her.

"Hold on a moment! Something isn't right!" Her 6th sense tried to pinpoint what exactly was not right.

Slowly by slowly, Patroka move forward, when suddenly, "Urghuh!" Some blue-ish power casted on her extinguished her power, as she exclaimed, "My body... it won't..."

Mikhail dashed towards her quick, "You all right, Patroka?! URGGGHHHH!!! This power... could it be..?!" He recognized this power, something he'd seen from 500 years ago, when he was still a child.

He looked behind the group and saw a girl taking a staff, casting her field power that neutralizes everything. Patroka difficultly looked up, and Nia watched as she passed through the group with slow steps, not looking at them. Rex wondered, "Who's that?"

Mikhail found the source he needed, some old friend of his indeed, commented calmly, "So that's what's going on. That piece of Indoline scum!"

Patroka felt angry, "D-d-did you say Indol?!"

Mikhail announced, "We're outmatched. LET'S GET OUT of here!"

Patroka felt unsatisfied. Why, at every last moment that they almost win, someone new would come out and blocked their way? And now she lost not only Bana but her favorite Blade's weapon as well... "Like hell I will! I'm not done killing them yet!" But she can't even get off the ground.

"We already got what we came for." Mikhail's not even trying to help her up. "And if anything were to happen to you huh, how could I possibly face Akhos, huh?"

Then, he grabbed her waist and carried her by his side. She struggled to no avail, "Let me GOOOOO!!! This is why I can't stand you, YOU KNOW!!!"

He turned around, not obeying her, and walked away, busy with his mouth, "Yeah yeah. You can give me a proper scolding later."

"YOU'RE NOT GETTING AWAY!!!" Mòrag dashed quickly to them. Just then, the Monoceros floated from below the cloud sea to the edge of where they stood, a loading port, and Mikhail jumped high. "Wha-?!!"

Rex recognized, "That ship!"

Nia: "The Monoceros! It was right there?!"

At the top of the Monoceros, Mikhail waved back at the group, till next time! And he aimed the cannon at Mòrag, "Orgh!" She ate some face-to-face shots.

Rex: "Mòrag!" He and Brighid quickly dashed to her as reinforcements. She was unscathed relatively.

"Lady Mòrag!"

"Do not worry. It'll take more than that- to dispatch me." But the submarine had gone, dived back into the ocean. "They got away."

Mythra quickly joined Rex, and the Indol girl slowly walked towards them, not changing the calming pace of her footsteps. Mòrag recognized who she is, walked up towards her, called out, "Fan la Norne..."

Brighid asked, "Goddess of the Praetorium... To what do we owe this pleasure?"

"Did you say Fan...?" That brought Mythra back in her memories from 500 years ago. The girl's Core Crystal was a diamond, but it only had its upper half attached. She stopped in front of Rex and gave him a thin smile; for her face, always doused with sadness, the smile was rare.

Jin was walking alone in the room consisting, beside the main path, cabinet upon cabinet of Core Crystals. There in the middle of the room was an ice crystal, freezing a girl within. All that he had done, is for her, "It won't be long now... Lora..."

Footnotes:

Addam and Lora, Jin To Temperantia

500 years ago, Addam's Camp. The World Tree forever looming in the background. Addam, cloaked in a hood, wielded Mythra's blade, fighting against Lora, wielding a staff. He exclaimed, "Amazing, Lora. Even when I foresee your movements, you counter me instantly."

"I couldn't do it without Haze's power!" Haze, we now call Fan la Norne, was her Blade. "What about you? I don't see you using Mythra's hidden ability!"

"And what if we did?"

"Well, if you did..." After separating from each other, she continued, "I'd just have to bring out my original Blade!"

"Master Addam... Your evening meal is ready for you." Jin came in with their meal. He knows how to cook?

"Oh? Is it that time already?" They put down their blades.

Lora shared, "The days are so long at this time of year, I just start losing track..."

Around a campfire they sat, a pot hovered over, to keep its content hot. Lora and Haze cuddled together, having girly chats. Addam ate with his hoods on; Mythra an arm distance beside him. A child to her left, Mikhail, busy filling his stomach.

"Oh, finished already? That's a shame. I was hoping to join in." Brighid found herself joining the group.

Mythra wondered, "Join in? By yourself?"

"His Majesty has many pressing matters to attend to. Besides, I'm used to working alone."

Mythra don't agree, "A Driver- and Blade- are one- in body- and soul. That's their very nature. You're not at full strength without him."

"It's not so simple as all that." added Addam. "I know I've yet to unlock the depths of your power."

"Really? I feel like I've been... giving it my all."

"But you never stop growing. At any rate, Haze's ability to restrict other Blades is indispensable. It's perfect for training. We're lucky." She{{footnote: With her full core crystal, diamond shaped than triangular}} was surprised how she became the topic of their conversation so sudden.

"When she stops me using my Foresight... It's- certainly difficult." agreed Mythra.

Haze, replying humbly, "Ohhh, but y-you honor me too much. I'm just happy to help you both in any way I can."

"Next to each other like that, you really do look like twins, you two." Mythra commented.

Addam agreed, "It's rare for the Driver's nature to appear so strongly in their Blade."

Lora looked to Haze, mentioned, "People tell me that from time to time, but is it really true?"

Haze thought for a while, said, "Perhaps... But, whatever the reason, I- am- happy- if I look even a little like you, my lady." And she hugged Lora's arm and cuddled.

Lora excitedly shared, "We're even the same dress size!"

"Right?"

"Hahahaha!" That entertained the others.

Finishing up whatever remains, young Mikhail was carrying something away, while Lora and Haze continued their girly chats. Mythra was catching up with Brighid, while Addam sat where he sat, looking at Jin cleaning up the mess. "By the way, we want to try taking you on next, Jin."

Others were attracted to their conversation. Lora asked for his permission, "Well? How about it, Jin?"

"I-I'm afraid I-I-I don't particularly like fighting." And he walked away, the energy he emanated felt somewhat low.

Addam: "And to think... we're hearing that from 'the strongest man in Torna'."

Lora, his Driver, defended him, "But perhaps there's truth in those words. After all, he... or rather, they..." Young Mikhail was waiting for Jin; he walked past him, not looking at anyone, his step slow and sorrow.

Just then, a panicking soldier rushed into the scene, shouted, "My lord, my lady! We've discovered Malos's target! The capital!" That stopped Jin -- it was something he's concerned about.

Addam was shocked, stood up straight, "What? Are you sure?"

"Yes, no doubt about it!"

On a flying Titan ship, the dragon-like vibrant wings stretched out as it drifted above the Cloud Sea, Fan la Norne stood at the front deck, watching the vast sea, her mind immersed in daydreams. Mythra observed her from behind, wondered what'd happened to her all those years. Why does she feel so sad? The Haze she'd known had always been content, with Lora by her side. But Fan?

After Mikhail and Patroka escaped, at the factory, Rex asked, "Who are you?"

"I am Fan la Norne, envoy for the Indoline Praetorium."

"Oh, uh, Hi!"

"You- are- Rex, am I correct? Praetor Amalthus requests an audience. Please, come with me."

"You're joking... right? What would the Praetor- want with me?"

"The Praetorium... manages every Blade and Driver in Alrest. And, as you, are the Driver of the Aegis..."

Mòrag guessed, "The Praetorium wants that power for itself."

Fan rebutted, "Not at all, my lady. The Praetor... would like to meet his fellow Aegis Driver. He wishes the speak to Master Rex. That- is all."

"His fellow...? You don't mean?!"

She approved her guesses. "Indeed. The Praetor is Malos's Driver."

"HUH!!!" Everyone jumped on their feet. Such holy awakened such evil, how could he?

Fan continued, "There is- another matter. I believe you- currently have a- certain dagger in your possession?"

"You know about that?!"

"Why yes, I can tell. The Praetor is its original owner, after all."

"HURRRRRGGGHHHH!!" Rex took in a deep breath. Cole shared the same Driver as Malos?

Nia tried to confirm, "So the Praetor -- he's... Cole's Driver as well?"

"Yes."

"Come off it. Just... how old is he?"

Mòrag shared, "The current Praetor is Indoline. It's not that hard to believe." After all, Indoline have the longest lifespan on all Alrest, excluding Blades that live forever (if you consider going back to the cycle and coming back out as a continuity).

Dromarch agreed, "The Indoline do live loooong lives."

"Ohh right...? Well, that would explain why Cole said the dagger's owner- would know- how to get to the World Tree!" Rex completed the story himself.

"Well, what do you say?" Fan took a step forward, looming over Rex, feeling eager. "You certainly won't regret it. An audience with Praetor Amalthus is an honor."

"Uhhhh, hey, uhhhh... W-wait a second..." Let me discuss it with others first.

Nia discouraged, "I wouldn't buy it, Rex. This is too good to be true."

"What do you think, Mythra?" She and Pyra were the ones that's concerned. After all, they were going to see him, their goal from the very start after Cole. "You noticed, right? As soon as we met Cole!"

"Yes. Though I had no idea that man had become the Praetor, of all things."

"Should we?"

"There's a lot I want to ask him. I want to know about what happened... after I went to sleep. And of course... How it is... that you happen to be here, Fan."

Rex therefore decided, "All right, then. I want to meet him too. In fact, we might have no other choice!"

Mythra called out, approaching her, "Haze..."

Hearing footsteps, Fan turned around on the deck, surprisingly wondered, "Lady Mythra? What are you doing out so late? Can't you sleep? At this time of year, the nights can be bitter. Please don't catch a cold."

"I'm a Blade. We don't exactly catch colds."

"Of course. My apologies."

"H-Haze... You- really- don't- remember?"

"Hm? I'm afraid you have me mistaken... I am Fan la Norne, Blade to Praetor Amalthus."

"Right. Amalthus." She answered thoughtlessly as she focused on her Core. Why is there only half of it? "Sorry, m-my mistake. You just reminded me of somebody I know. It is quite cold, isn't it? I might go back to my room, after all." This is no longer whom she'd known, perhaps.

As she turned around, Fan sent her off by bowing to her, "Yes. Good night. Lady Mythra."

"N-night, Fan."

While she was walking back, Pyra sounded within her, "Mythra, did you see her Core Crystal's shape?"

"I saw. That's not normal resonance."

"It's not like with us and Rex, either."

"I guess this is one more question for the Praetor! Sorry... Let's change over. I have to think."

"Sure. No problem." And Pyra took control of the body. She looked back where Fan stood, wondered what story she'd went through all these years.

Jin was in one room when the shuttle opened to reveal various Core Crystals lined along the walls. Their light dimly lit the room, apart from the panels. Malos entered, asked, "Is it working?"

"Yes. I can hear the Blades' voices now."

"Come with me. Akhos has found- something- very interesting."

"Very well."

"Hey, look at this." In another room just beside the Core Crystal's, a wide-curved-screen displayed some location.

Akhos: "Temperantia... Rumor had it that Mor Ardain were conducting an excavation there. So- I thought I should check it out, and, er..." He seemed to had lost his sadness of losing Obrona already, at least on the surface.

Jin mentioned, "It's changed a lot, but this shape... That's a Judicium Titan weapon."

"Judicium... I know that name..." Akhos heard of it.

Malos shared, "Right. It was destroyed. A casualty of the Aegis War. And... it's where the Flesh Eaters were created."

"Is that so?" Now Akhos felt curious and excited.

"What now?"

"If it is a threat to us, it should be destroyed. Or... we could make use of it."

Patroka broke the calm atmosphere, "DAMN IT ALL, I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!!!"

Akhos greeted calmly, "Hello, Patroka. And a very good day to you too. Don't tell me."

Mikhail asserted, "No! Don't- worry about that. We got the goods. No problem."

"Well, that's something. Sooo... why the temper tantrum?" Now that he don't have Obrona to track the Aegis and others, he can't get info on real time about Blades.

"And that's how it went down! Long story short, we had to make a run for it." concluded Mikhail.

"And you're sure it wasn't your ether field that was disturbed?" asked Akhos.

"A female Blade from Indol..." Malos tried to recall.

"Jin!" Mikhail knew her. And Jin knew her. "It's Haze! No doubt about it!" Jin looked away. "Jin?"

"Mikhail, how goes the work on the Marsanes?" Such change of topic.

"Oh, that's no problem.{{footnote: Lora was frozen on the ice behind him.}} It'll take a little longer than I thought, but we'll get there."

"And Akhos, where is the Aegis right now?"

He checked the panel that replaced Obrona's capacity to track some specific bandwidth he'd kept in memory, answered, "Near the Leftherian Archipelago. She's on the move, maybe on a ship."

"Maybe... they're heading for Indol." Jin suggested.

"Hmmm? Where..." Jin was walking away when Mikhail wondered.

He knew what he wanted to know, immediately answered before he finished his sentence, "Temperantia. To buy us some time."

Patroka, somewhat calmed down, "What about- the Aegis? If that man gets into her head..."

"Not happening." Malos knew his Driver all too well. Else, he would've awaken Mythra 500 years ago if he wanted her. "That's not how Mythra works."

Jin agreed, added, "In fact, she'll be a big help to us. After all, only an Aegis- can open up the path- to the World Tree. Malos, there's a lot of work to be done on what we got from the Guild. You guys, stay here- and help Mikhail. I'll go to Temperantia. Alone." he instructed therefore.

Malos: "Fine by me."

Akhos: "Very well. Take care of yourself."

As Jin was walking to the exit hatch, Malos commented, "That guy..."

Footnotes:

Bringing Pyra Home, To See His Parents (Leftherian Archipelago)

Dawn. The group gathered at the front deck, overlooking the Leftherian Archipelago. Pyra exclaimed, "Amazing... It looks like a mountain of clouds."

"The Leftherian Archipelago. Indol is currently positioned beyond the Cloud Ridge." That's the Great Waterfall of Clouds! The Leftherian Archipelago composed of multiple jellyfish floating mid-air, connected by their tentacles. Some other islands floated on the sea, weren't connected. "It would take quite some time to sail around, so we'll be traveling over land- from here." explained Fan.

Dromarch: "I suppose, not even a Titan ship could surpass- such an obstacle."

Mòrag urged: "If we have to walk, we'd best get moving now." She'd freed herself from the burdens of the Empire temporarily to join the Aegis on her adventure.

"It's been a while!" All the time he'd spent near Argentum Trade Guild, salvaging just to get most of the money back home. When was the last time he came back?

Gramps counted, "Mmm! Must be five years!"

Pyra wondered, "Rex, have you been here before?"

He proudly replied, "It's where I grew up! Me and Gramps are from Fonsett Village, just over the ridge here."

Nia was surprised, "Hmph! I wouldn't have pegged you for a Leftherian."

Pyra got excited, "So this is your home..." So now she's a guest to her partner's home,eh! The ship sailed straight for Home Sweet Home.

Trees grew on little islands carved by moats within each giant jelly fishes. Or purely sandy beaches with some pools of water near its center and almost nothing else of interest except rocks, not even having a top to cover it from the sun! The tentacles formed roads to travel from one jelly fish to another. Some of these jelly fishes even stuck their body within the Great Cloudfall! This, is the Leftherian Archipelago.

The ship docked, and Rex first touched ground again. He took the lead as a host, "Well, I guess... it'd be quickest for me to lead the way from here. We just need to get over the ridge, right?"

"Indeed. The delegation from Indol- will meet us there." agreed Fan.

"Roger that!"

"Will leave it to Rex-Rex! Lead the way!"

"Ha-ha!"

Gramps extinguished their flames, "Don't get an inflated head. We're just following the islands, you know."

"Hey! It's still dangerous!" rebutted Rex. "There's a lot of tough monsters around these parts."

"Well, I won't deny that..."

"So how we going?" asked the can't-wait Tora.

"Errrr..."

"What about Fonsett?" asked Pyra, with mounting excitement.

"What about it?" He was considering which route was safest while close enough, and don't yet understand what she meant.

"Will we pass it?"

"I mean, we could go that way."

"Let's do it! I mean, l-let's visit your village!" she exclaimed, full of excitement.

Nia: "OK, calm down."

Dromarch noted, "Someone's... rather excitable..."

Poppi $\alpha${{footnote: Oh, just as a sidenote, Poppi had reverted back to its $\alpha$ form than staying in QT form, to save energy, and because it's cute! And yes, we won't be adding the $\alpha$ to the back after this. For normal Poppi, which took up most of the speeches, we'll use 'Poppi' to refer to her. On occasions when she does changed form, we'll specifically refer to that form, e.g. 'Poppi QT'. But if one remembered correctly, she almost never speak in that form throughout the whole cutscenes.}} commented: "Not like normal Pyra."

"Uhhhh, I mean..." Opps, awkward... She excitedly invited, asked for others' opinions, "Don't you want to see the place where Rex grew up?"

Nia: "Sure! But I'm not getting my ears in a twist..."

Rex, coming to think of it, commented, "Actually, that's not a bad idea. That route's probably one of the safest we could take. How about it?"

Fan had no worries on getting back too quickly, decided to "I leave the decision to you."

"Then let's DO IT!!! We'll head off as SOON as we're ready!"

In unison, "YEAHHHH!!!"

Nia had more questions for someone whom gave her a bad first impression, "Hey, what are you still doing here, anyway?"

Mòrag answered, "I volunteered to come along. I'm acting as a representative of the Empire. Is- there- a problem?"

"No, not at all." Fan had the authority. "The Praetorium has extended an invitation to the Aegis. We would not wish to conceal this information from the other nations."

Gramps noted: "Oh, yes, that's- the- Praetorium- for- you. Impartial to the last, eh?"

"Indeed."

"That's not a problem for you, is it, Nia?" Brighid eyed her.

She answered against her will, "Sure, we're best friends now. I'll get over her throwing me in jail one day."

Dromarch tried to calm her down with logic, "Now, now, my lady, Mòrag and Brighid... are on our side. That's... much safer than the alternative."

She impatiently replied, "Yeah, yeah, I suppose."

Rex urged, "Come on, Nia, lighten up! It was all a big misunderstanding! They helped us out and everything, remember?"

"You're such an idiot sometimes!"

"I'm an optimist-"

She halted him, "Call it what you want. You're still an idiot! UGH! OK, FINE. It's water under the bridge." Reluctantly, she held out her hand to Mòrag, impatiently urged, "GO ON! Friends, YEAH?"

Mòrag: "Hmph. Very well. Friends it is." And she softly took her hand and shook. Whatever their internal story and emotions, they'd be on the same side, at least on the surface, for now. What remnants emotions required to be solve, time will tell.

They were walking inside a tunnel paved with white sand and straight tiny-cap luminescent glowing mushrooms and tiny stones, when Pyra noted, "I've never seen anything like this. A tunnel through the clouds..."

Rex explained scientifically, "It's because this archipelago is formed of many smaller Titans. The forces between the Titans bend the Cloud Sea into this shape."

Gramps reminded, "There is a large Titan as well, at the center of the cloud mountains. Though, being within the Cloud Sea itself, you won't find humans living on it."

Rex agreed with him, continued, "The small Titans seem to like clustering around the larger one, and that's what forms the archipelago."

Tora was amazed, "Wooowww!!! So many amazing things to see in world!"

Poppi lectured, "Masterpon- should get out more often! Working inside all day- bad for mind and body, you know."

"Tora on wonderful adventure with Rex-Rex right now though!" he objected. "Days of staying inside all day are long gone!"

Rex agreed, "Yeah! You're a Driver... just like us now, Tora."

"Mehmeh! Tora appreciate support from friend Rex-Rex!"

The island where Fonsett was located had trees and grass and flowers and white sandy beaches. Rex was overwhelmed when he saw, "Hahah! That takes me back!"

They looked to the left, where there was a cliff, and children were lining up and jumping off it. Nia was shocked, "What the hell? You wouldn't catch me dead doing that."

"Don't knock it off till you try it. It's how we all learned to swim in the clouds!"

"You mean, you did that too?!" Pyra was excited to learn something from his childhood.

"Yeah, of course! It came in really handy when I became a salvager."

Nia was still reluctant, "I can't stand it down there. It's not like water, feels like the clouds are wrapping around you."

"And you don't like heights, either." added Dromarch.

"You get used to it really quick." Then Rex urged, "Hey, you want to give it a go?!"

"Wha- Hey, no! You get away from me! Don't touch me!" Her fur tinged on her ends and got defensive as Rex tried to catch her.

Pyra came to her rescue, "Stop that, Rex! Don't tease her."

"All right, all right." What a lost of excitement. But anyways, let's get to the village, built of stony bricks in dome-like stony houses up the hill, with tiny windows.

"Honestly, when are you gonna grow up a little?" Nia wondered.

Temperantia. Soldiers were lining behind Senator Roderich as he read through the manuscript on his hand, "Very impressive."

The special soldier, perhaps a captain, explained, "We've refitted the drivetrain to use Ardainian technology. All of the control mechanisms have been beautifully preserved, so we should be able to finish- relatively soon."

"Finally, we will be able to compensate for our forces' depletion. The Gormott struggle takes its toll."

"Sir."

"And there are no safety concerns, I trust? The explosion three months ago was most unfortunate. Orrrr had you forgotten?"

"We've been running a sedative drip through the Titan's fluids since then. No further difficulties. We've... also encased the back end in composite steel. That- should withstand sustained enemy fire. Even if it were to be blown up; well, it'll be in enemy territory."

"A pyrrhic victory, I'd say."

"Well, the crew will have escape pods."

"Escape pods? Are you sure you don't mean coffins?"

"I mean urgh..."

"Hmph!" And he walked away, while the soldiers followed him.

There was a space in front of a machine, the Judicium weaponry Jin was after, and the Senator commented, "Judicium, the dead nation that realized Flesh Eater technology. I cannot say... I find their creations tasteful."

The captain followed behind him, commented, "I'm aware you do not agree with the principles of fusing Blades- with- human- cells. Few people do."

"Not what I mean."

"I'm- sorry, sir? Then what exactly do you...?"

"It's said that Flesh Eaters were created in the quest for ever- stronger- Blades. But is- that- really- true? What I see in them... is the shadow of a people scrabbling to prolong their existence. I look at them and see ourselves. That is what I despise. I will leave for Indol shortly. Much remains to be done."

The main entrance into the village was over an arch. While the children were busy playing, they immediately caught eyes with strange clothes. One after another, they recognized the one leading, "REX!!!", and all started dashing towards him, surrounded him with questions. The group paused their steps and let them reunite for themselves.

Rex still recognized them, "Whoa! Kirk? Kazuna? You guys sure have grown! And hey, is that really?"

"That's our Mark." Rex looked at the elder whom approached. A female with short gray hair and dark skin, with some bracelets around her neck, and giant earrings. "He'll be going away to school in Indol soon, thanks to the help you've been sending us."

"Auntie Corinne, good to see you!"

The group stood nearer behind. Pyra felt such hospitality warm and exciting, exclaimed, "Wow, this is quite a welcome..."

Dromarch noted, "I didn't realize... you were sending your money home. That's very... admirable for such a young man."

"Home, huh?" Did Nia have one? When was the last time she felt like home? With Jin, maybe? But that's nothing like here.

Tora exclaimed, "Old lady have lots of littlepons!"

Poppi blandly corrected him, "Masterpon, these clearly not all littlepons of same parent."

Corinne's eyed the little Titan tucking out his head from behind Rex's helmet, "My word! Is that old Azurda there? What have you gone and done to yourself?"

Gramps: "That would take some explaining. I-Incidentally, is there some way you could put us up for the night? Long day and all."

"'Is there some way?' Don't give me that! Stay for as long as you like! What's mine- is yours."

"Thank you."

Rex: "Auntie, thank you so much! I think I'll go for a bit of a walk first, though."

She understood immediately. "Ahhhh, yes. Leave your friends... with me."

"Pyra, could you come along too?" He invited.

That surprised her, "Hm? Oh, of course!"

Corinne wavered to the rest of the group, "Right then, come with me, all of you!" And she lead the rest to their homes, including Gramps.{{footnote: You may not see Gramps following in the video, but later on, you'll see Gramps gone. Just some minor bugs.}}

A land with various tombstone, a graveyard. Rex faced two of them, buried side by side; Pyra trailing behind.

"Where are we?" wondered Pyra.

"These are my parents' graves."

"What?!" she was surprised.

"Sorry. I guess I never properly told you about myself. I..."

"N-no, it's fine. I'm sorry... I never thought to ask..."

"I wanted you to meet them, though."

Her nervousness grew, and words stuck in her throat, it took a moment for her to be able to voice again, "To meet them? How- do- you... mean?"

He nodded to her, spoke with action. Walking close by the two tombstone, he knelt on one feet, "Hey, Mum... Dad... It's been a while. A ton happened, you know -- I became a Driver! And this girl... is Pyra. My new partner."

Her eyes widened, that's what one is to him? She eyed him from the tip of her eye, full of tenderness. Rex continued, "I know you'd love her... We- we're going to Elysium. Pyra- and me. I don't- know- what's coming next, but... You'll be watching over us, right guys?"

"Rex..." He embraced for a little while, and Pyra followed.

"Right, let's head back."

"OK." And she spoke nothing else, let the feelings sink in.{{footnote: Want more story about the grave? Read more here (but do it only after you finish the first part of the next subchapter, because their final members would join only thereafter).}}

Corinne had got a standalone home just for them. Poppi was punching his masterpon's shoulders, Nia napping on Dromarch, Rex chatting with Fan, Brighid with Mòrag. Pyra helped washing the dishes in the kitchen, with Corinne. "I'm so sorry, making you wash up like this."

"No, no, don't worry about it! I don't- have to be in a fight- to be able to help people. I like it."

"You're a dear. Rex is very lucky you're around. He's never brought a girl- to meet me before!"

"HUH?! Oh No, n-no no no, it's not like that! I'm just Rex's Blade!" She jumped a step back in surprise, blood rushed up her cheeks as she tried to deny, but her heart raced fast.

Corinne saw through her, "Is that so? You do hear of Blades and Drivers getting married a lot in the old stories!"

"Err..." She don't know what to say.

After all the washing and all, Corinne prepared tea for them, as a reward for her help, but perhaps, she wanted to speak a bit more to her. Ether lamps illuminated the interior of housing so bright we could see the light from the windows{{footnote: In the past, using candles or better oil lamps, you can't really see that clearly, unless there's a LOT of candles to light up the whole room -- at the expense of feeling very hot inside.}}. They were enjoying the cloudy night, though it would be better if there's some breeze.

Pyra commented, "This is a lovely village. Everyone's so warm and... carefree." She hoped she could be one of them, perhaps.

"It's removed from everything, you see. I think if everyone could live like this... the world might be a happier place. You know, between you and me... I think, deep down, Rex still misses his mother a little. In a way, you remind me of her. Just... a tad."

"Of Rex's mother? Really? A-actually... He took me to say hello to his parents." she shared, feeling heartwarming.

"Ahhh... You know, Rex wasn't born here in Fonsett. He must have been- two years old when he came ashore here with his poor- mother."

One day, a young woman effetely entered the village entrance, Rex in her hugs. She struggled forward, until she could take no longer, collapsed to the floor. The villagers rushed to her help.

"Maybe it was war, or a- dying Titan... But they'd lost their home, sure enough."

She never recovered. Corinne, as the guardian of the village's children, took the role to care for young Rex.{{footnote: Unlike today, some Indian tribes in the past, including in Latin America, they take everyone's child in the village as their child, and hospitality was extended so it's not separated into 'my child' and 'their child', but 'everyone's child'.}}

"I gather it was a great struggle to get here. She was so weak... She asked me to look after Rex, and... That was the last thing she said."

Corinne brought Rex with her and other villagers to the funeral; many people visited, despite not knowing her more than that, paying tributes. Corinne consoled the boy who'd just lost his parents; he wasn't even crying, but more blank, standing there, purpose lost.

"She seemed so lovely, too... And his father... We found his body about... three- titanpeds away from here. He came so far, If only he'd made it a little farther... Such a sad business."

"How awful..."

"That boy has suffered enough loss for one life." Corinne started crying, feeling sorry for his fate. "That's why he became a salvager, you know. To find some way up to Elysium."

Pyra recalled how he always treated the dead -- his mentor Vandham, his parents -- with so much care and reminiscent, the little feelings he emanated that she can feel.

Her guilt awash her, she felt so sorry, depressing, and self-deprecating, "In that case, maybe- it's not good for me to be by Rex's side after all..."

Brighid was searching for her, came around the corner, hid behind the walls, overhearing their conversations starting from here. Pyra looked up in the sky; perhaps one day, she'll bring him more sadness, staying beside her. And he may one day even lose her!

"Why? Are you not... fond of him?" asked Corinne.

"Oh, I am! But... with me- here... he'll suffer even more, lose- even more. So maybe... Maybe Rex is better off without me. Rex... and the whole world. They don't need me. That's just how it feels."

"Now, dear..." The conversations ends here; Brighid had no need to hear more. What worries lies in their future journey?

The next day, Corinne and a few children sent the group at the village entrance. Rex announced, "OK, time to move out!"

"See you soon, Rex!" one children exclaimed.

Corinne: "You take care now. And keep yourself out of trouble, Azurda!"

"Ah, you know me. I prefer the quiet life."

Pyra expressed her gratitude, "Thank you for everything."

Corinne: "Pyra, dear -- I don't know what you've been through before, but you should know you're not alone- anymore. Rex is a strong boy. You can depend on him, whenever, and wherever you need him."

"I know. I'll try."

"Huh? What was... all that about?" says he whom was so out of sync.

"Nothing at all. Right?"

Corinne: "Nothing for your ears, Rex. You just concentrate on what you're doing. Work hard, and do your best!"

Scratching his head, "Sure, I will." And he went with the others away. Pyra stayed back for a while, gave Corinne a bow of gratitude, before catching up with them.

Footnotes:

The Return of the One-Eyed Monster, Meeting the Praetor

They were making their way toward their boat when once more, the One-Eyed Monster appeared before their eyes, for his finale. "Finally. You took your sweet time." The grin; the grin and the eyes; he's back!

Mòrag immediately recognized him, despite not traveling with others for his first two appearance, "You're the..."

Nia welcomed him once more, didn't feel any surprised, "Hey, Shellhead!"

"Hey." He bade, don't deny that now.

Rex: "You just don't give up, do you? C'mon, out of the way."

Tora compared him to "More like stubborn leech than turtle."

"Hah! This time I'm here for something a little bit- different." He tucked his chest to the side and nudged at the group.

Rex: "Ugh, what's that supposed to mean?"

"I want to see just how good you are, chum. I've been waiting here for three whole days already!"

Nia was impressed by his tenacity, "Three days? Seriously?" She pointed at him, "You know what, no thanks, I don't pick on idiots." Rex agreed.

"Well then. Fight me and we'll see who's the idiot!" He took out his sword, pointing the shiny part at them once more.

"How did you know that we'd be here?" Rex wondered.

"I'll tell you... if you can beat me!" Then he nudged to the so-long quiet Mòrag, asked, "You want to join the fun too?"

Which she replied, "No, you- all- go ahead."

"Huh? Why?" Rex questioned.

"What- a- shame! Looks like the Illustrious Flamebringer won't be helping you this time."

Nia don't see the problem, "Thanks for the concern and all, but may-be you should be worrying about yourself. Big tree to your right, big rock to your left, and a cliff, right behind you. Which one's gonna get you this time, eh?" The group effetely took out their weapons, don't feel like fighting something whose final moves never hit 'em.

Surprisingly, Zeke was quite strictly replying, "Not today, furry ears. Check this." He bent down more and pointed at the group; they were still not at their fighting spirit, assuming he won't do them harm, waiting for his move leisurely. Then, with a lightning bolt, electricity splattered on his surface; before the group knew it, they were in mid-air.

Rex: "WHOA!!!"

Mòrag looked at them, but didn't interfere. On the ground, the surprised Nia: "What the-..."

"Well? Feel like taking me seriously yet, hmm?"

Tora sighed, "Ah! S-so strong..."

Nia: "What the... How'd he do that?"

Mòrag introduced him officially: "Thunderbolt Zeke. Tantal's most powerful Driver... and its Crown Prince."

First time the group knew. "Crown Prince of... Tantal?!"

Rex can't believe it too, "This guy?!"

Mòrag: "It is quite the rare opportunity to see his... swordsmanship first-hand."

He felt the praise, yes, the praise, his nose up and high, floating above the cloud sea, "Now this is more like it. Oooh, come on, yeah! Keep it coming!" After all the Shellhead and stuffs, finally someone appreciates! Oh, the respect!

But his ugly face, Mòrag turned away from, refused to continue the praise. Brighid blocked Fan's sight, to prevent such obscenity from tainting her pure heart. Zeke was not satisfied, "That's it? That's all I get?! Ugh, fine. Anyway, ready to... concede- defeat- to the Zekenator?"

Rex had stood back on ground, "As if! We're only just warming up, you- pompous arse!"

Pyra agreed, transferring power to Rex, "I'm right with you. Let's show him what we got!"

"Hahahahah! YESSSSS!!! Let's see if the Aegis is worth the hype! HYAAAHHHH!!!" And the fight began.

He dragged back along the port with his back bent like moon shape; as he spring back upwards, he commented, "Not bad, chum."

Rex: "Right back at you. Impressive! Didn't think I'd ever see another Driver and Blade... on Mòrag and Brighid's level..."

"You're still holding back. Where's the Aegis's true power?"

"Mythra's power is only for fighting- bad guys."

"Ahh, that's so sweet. So I'm a good guy now, is that it?!"

"Am I wrong?"

He stayed for a while, grinned, and laughed as if epilepsy seizures took over him, "Pfff AHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! I like your attitude there, chum!" Then he sheathed his weapon. Pandoria got beside him to prepare for the show yet again, "Well, that's an Aegis's Driver for you."

Fan asked, "How did we do, Your Highness?"

"Sure, you pass. I think we can just- about- let you into the Praetorium."

Nia: "What- the- hell?!"

Zeke explained, "I've been working for Indol for a while now. A kind of... special envoy. They asked me to keep an eye out... for the Aegis. Actually, I volunteered to. You know how it is. I'm jolly sorry... for testing you like that."

Pandoria revealed the bloopers, "We were planning on getting this over with in ONE encounter. But- His Highness has the most awwwwful luck, so..."

Rex already knew, "Yeahhhh, I think I got that."

Zeke cannot accept his bad luck, tried to explain himself to Pandoria, "What are you talking about? Everyone has bad days, right?" And he leaned on the wooden gate by the edge of the port; the thing break under his weight.

The group exclaimed, "AH!!"

He couldn't managed to get up, tried fluttering himself up but failed, "AHHHHHHHH!!! WHY MEEEEEEE???!!!" And down he goes, plunging straight for the Cloud Sea.

Nia already expected it, "There he goes." They gathered by the edge where he fell and just watched him, including Pandoria.

Dromarch was putting his whole body weight on the fence just beside the broken one, and it didn't snap, he agreed, "Mmm, bad luck indeed." Nothing was seen floating out of the Cloud Sea, however they tried to look.

Pyra felt anxious, asked Pandoria, "Uhhh... Should we go rescue him?"

"Naaaahhhh, he'll find his own way back up somehow. L-Let's just... board the ship!" And she lead them onwards, not a tad bit worry. Down there, the unconscious floated back up the cloud sea like a dead body.

The Holy Praetorium was the only town on the back of Indol, a relatively small Titan compared to Mor Ardain and Uraya and Gormott. The stairs and the huge arcs, leading up the back of the Titan that formed a hill. All buildings were short, except the Praetorium{{footnote: Think of the Praetorium as a building that has the same function, looks the same, like a Church. It is a Church.}}. This is the Indoline Praetorium.

Tora exclaimed, "Ahhhh, soooo pretty..."

Poppi agreed, "Amazing!"

Pyra: "Whoaaaaa!! It's so- grand..."

Mythra replying inside, "Sure, because they're trying too hard."

"You- don't have to be like that..." She said it out.

Rex overheard it, was confused, "Hm? Did you say something?"

"Oh, no, nothing."

Fan relayed the info, "Your- audience with the Praetor is- scheduled for tomorrow. Before that, maybe you'd all like to have a look around?"

Rex exclaimed, "See the sights of Indol? Sounds like a pretty rare opportunity!"

Tora and Poppi were equally excited, "Yeahhhh!! Let's look around city! Tora want to see- everything!"

Nia shook her head, "What are we, tourists?"

Dromarch: "There's no harm in that, is there?"

Even Gramps: "This would be a first for me, too."

Rex understood, "Rigggghhhttt, you were a bit big to go running around Indol before now."

Nia imagined it in her head, laughed, "Now that's a funny image."

They went up the stairs and saw, by one section of the wing, various tents set up in random arrangements, but mostly around the side and center, leaving a main rights of way in an arc sandwiched in between. Weak, hungry people were sitting down; children still had the energy to play. A signboard with words written on it, Nia read as, "'No More Blades, No More War'... What does that mean?"

Zeke appeared out of nowhere behind her, explained, "That, my fuzzy-eared friend, is an anti-Blade protest. The refugees have really been going at it since last year or so."

She and Rex turned around, jumped on their feet, she exclaimed, "Whoa! Where'd you come from? What'd you do, swim here?"

Tora was more concerned with the protests, asked, "Did- Blades- do something wrong?"

Mòrag explained, "The Praetorium is single-handedly responsible... for doling out Core Crystals to other countries. Though, sometimes the likes of Dughall and Bana grab a piece of the pie."

Dromarch concluded, "Therefore, Indol has the power to control war itself?"

"That's one way of looking at it, at least."

Nia don't understand, "But war's about much more than just Blades and Drivers!"

Pandoria: "I know that, and you know that, but that doesn't mean they're gonna accept it."

Rex: "I guess so..." He observed closer, noted, "There's a lot of... Gormotti here..."

Gramps explained, "They fled the Gormotti War... ten years ago. But here they are, refugees still..."

Zeke waved his had, "Yes. They're a funny old lot, you know. We feed them, we water them, and this is the thanks we get. Don't these ruffians know- that manners- cost nothing? I swear, you lend these people a hand and they want the whole, bloody arm."

"It's easy to disregard things beyond your control, and- direct your anger- at targets- closer to hand."

Rex dropped his head, thinking, "Mmm..."

Mòrag asked, "Do you have something- to- say?"

"Not really."

She urged, "Out with it, Rex."

"Mor Ardain's Titan -- it's dying, and everybody knows it. That's why they -- why you need Gormott."

She agreed, "Our population is large. Larger than Uraya's."

"But you don't have the resources to support all those people..."

"You are astute for someone so young."

"Us salvagers pick up more than just artifacts. I'm not daft. I know fine words alone won't change reality."

"So you seek Elysium."

"Is that wrong?"

"No. I was just reminded how young you are."

Nia: "Still, if it's Rex, or people who harp on about justice with no solutions, I'm bettin' on Rex."

"I must admit, I do respect the boy's drive."

Rex: "Ahhhh, I'm just stumbling my way forward." Who says those refugees aren't?

Halfway between the stairs up to the Praetorium, Pyra stopped and asked, "Mòrag, can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Rex is the one who... woke up Mythra. And I think he... appreciates... what that means."

"And?"

"It's just that, well... Y-You're not doing anything to stop us. Why is that?"

She thought for a while before answering, "Because- of Addam."

"Huh!" She waited.

"Five hundred years ago, he became this great hero, who we celebrate even today. But I know him only through legends. A chance to see what his Blade is capable of for myself? I confess- I- was intrigued. So- here I am."

Rex objected, "You know I'm not Addam, right?"

"But- you are the Aegis's Driver. The second you're under imperial control, you won't be that hero anymore."

He scratched his head, "Hmmm... I'm not sure I follow."

Pyra understood it as "People with great power... should be their own masters? Is that what you mean?"

"Close enough. You can interpret it that way if you like."

Zeke knew something more than that, "Heh! Even the mighty Flamebringer can be bloody hard work sometimes. Can't you just admit the REAL reason?"

She turned away, commenting, "I don't like what you're implying." And walked away.

The door to the Praetorium was huge; so huge it don't look movable by mere person strength on the ground (though it's movable by Blade's strength, or Armu, or Titan). There were people inside this empty square, as if this is a stock market or something.

Fan turned around and spoke, "The Inner Praetorium is beyond this gate. Here you will find the main administrative facilities. With your permission, I'll show you to your lodgings."

Outside their lodgings, Hope spoke again, "Your audience with the Praetor is scheduled for tomorrow, in the Sanctum's Audience Chamber. If- there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."

Rex: "OK. Thanks for all your help."

"M-My pleasure. Good night!"

"Night!"

Rex's bed was just opposite of Pyra's. He asked, "Hey, Pyra. So, Addam... What kind of a person was he?"

She was sewing a shirt when Rex asked, and paused to ask, "Should I ask Mythra?" After all, she wasn't the one that accompanied Addam in his journey.

His goosebumps raised and tinged, "No, no, it's fine. I was just wondering."

Pyra thought for a while, recalled, "He was incredible..."

"Incredible?"

"In Mythra's memories, I mean. I knew him only very briefly before I went to sleep... But Mythra can't remember a more... genuine... courageous person. She had never met a more... wonderful man."

"He sounds like a real hero." And our 'fake' hero here dropped on his bed, exhausted to meet Addam's standard.

"Mm hmm. And you remind her of him... a lot!"

"Ohhhh, I do, do I? Great..." Then, his tired mind just picked up what he'd just said, "Wait, what?!" He blushed and jumped back up.

She giggled, "Huhuhuh! I suppose Mythra won't be very pleased I told you that."

"Pyra, c'mon..."

"I agree with her, you know."

He blushed even more, not sure how to react, looked over the tip of his eyes at her. But she was already deep in thought, the constant dimmed sadness awash her continuously; Rex wondered what she held within that she won't yet share... Will she, one day?

Rex woke up early in the morning, wandering the Praetorium himself, "Whew, it's cold this morning... Miss Fan?"

She was serenely looking at a huge mural painting, didn't heard him. Why does she looks so sad? The feeling washed over him. Nia was approaching behind and teased, "Oho, has somebody got a little crush?"

"Nia!!! What are you doing here?!"

"Early riser. Always have been." Fan was still deep in her thoughts, immersed in observing the painting, as Nia teased again, "Ooohhhh, I see how it is here. I wonder what Pyra and Mythra would think..."

"Hey, no! You've got the wrong... Just..."

"Just- what? Go on?"

"I dunno! I thought she looked... sad."

Fan just heard them, greeted, "Ohhh, good morning, you two. There's- still some time before your audience."

They walked over, Rex apologizing, "Sorry, we just woke up reaaaaally early."

"Ah, I see."

"That's a pretty nice mural. Very... grand." A giant rock that reached up the sky; some other slanted rocks. The light shone through the thick clouds of the darkness, people gathered around the big rock from the flames of rubble they'd left behind, to around the rocks and the still preserved lake, waiting for God's messenger to save them. Chaos ensued.

Hope introduced, "It depicts the creation of Alrest. They say this mural was painted long ago, when the nation of Indol was still new."

"Huh... You've been looking at it for a while..."

"They're missing."

"What do you mean by 'they'?"

"My memories. I know that I must have been around since this mural was first painted, or even earlier, but... I don't remember that time at all."

Nia found that self-explanatory, "Well, you are a Blade."

"I don't know who I was, or what I did. And- I'd really like to."

Rex suggested, "Mythra's lived for an awful long time. Maybe she'll know something about you."

Fan recalled, "Mythra... called me... Haze, earlier. Could it- be possible that she met me somewhere before? Sometime in the past?"

"Do you wanna- ask her later?"

"Could I? Thank you very much." She took his hand and prayed with gratitude.

"N-no need to thank me. You helped us too!"

Nia teased once more, "Look at you, going all red. I'll tell Pyra, I swear."

"WHA-?!!! I told you, it's not like that!"

She teasingly nudged, "We'll see..."

Pyra had woken up, looking out the windows herself, deep in thought, when Brighid called out, "Hey, relax. You'll give yourself wrinkles." Out the window directly faced the mural painting Rex and Nia were at; perhaps she could see them? "A Driver and Blade are one- in body and soul. It was you who told me that. Well, the other you, I mean."

"You mean, Mythra?"

"Of course, it was- five hundred years ago, so- perhaps you have forgotten."

Mythra sounded inside, "Ohhh, I... do remember saying that!"

Pyra wondered, "So it's true? But how could she... possibly remember..."

Brighid read her mind, "You're wondering how I could remember words... from so long ago?" She took out a thick notebook and handed her.

"What's this?"

"You could call it a diary, I suppose. It contains details about my past lives. It's the only way I have to remember... When we return to the Core Crystals, our minds are wiped clean of all memories. Though a Blade's life is eternal, our- 'effective lifespans' as individuals, are far shorter than a human's. You know, it's not- just me. A lot of Blades try to preserve their memories in journals like this one. Even though it's often futile. After all, a Core Crystal cannot protect a diary. Usually, the volume is lost to us, along with our memories. I'm fortunate amongst Blades. I'm passed down as an imperial treasure, and recorded in official chronicles."

"Errr, Brighid?"

"I don't know where your true intentions lie. I can only make an educated guess. But Rex... He is your Driver. If you truly trust him, I would advise you tell him everything." The book felt heavy in her hands, or perhaps, her heart. Struck right through. She continued, "If you can't do that even for him..." And she snatched back her diary, blurted out bluntly, "You shouldn't be his Blade- at all."

"I- just... ungh..."

"If you care about him, it's even more important. I know what it's like, to be afraid of rejection. I really- do. But... if you don't tell him now, you're just storing up pain for later, not making it easier."

Tears mustered in the tip of her eyes, she smile regardless, "The way you say that... You really do see right through me."

"Well... We go back a long way, as you recall. And we're both Blades, after all."

Sometime in the past. The young Amalthus stood where Fan stood, deeply absorbed in the mural painting. The rocks, the people, the mountains... He went back to his room, closed the door behind, and walked over his table. What of the broken artifact, a shard beyond comprehension?

The window behind him, the World Tree glow brightly in the night. He could see, he saw it, that's his destination. The calling in heart, it says, "Father waits, above..."

Despite thunder and lightning, his muscles sore, his skin bled, he did not care. Up and up he went, up the World Tree, with no other equipment than one's hands and feet. Memories faded, attention lingered, tiredness accumulated, dizziness sprung forward. But when he reached the top, was not what he'd expected. A lush evergreen meadow heaven? No. Some building remains stood, but there was no one around.

He lit a fire torch, followed the tunnels; the imminent darkness, he could see nothing else other than plain plain plain. What makes of the people who once lived here? He don't know. But one thing was sure -- to search every inch until he found what he was about to find. He delicately touched the door, jolted back as it shook; mechanism activated, and the door to Pandora opened before his eyes. The gleaming brightness beyond, shall we say, his hopes too high?

Run, run, run; pant, pant, pant; He dashed for the exit. No, he don't want to stay here any longer. Where was it, where he had came up from. Ah, there! As fast as his arms and legs could, without risking his life, he climbed down, faster, faster, faster; no, safer, safer, safer! Slowly, one foot by one foot, afraid of making even one mistake; but who walked besides a river doesn't get his shoe wet? He too, slipped, and down he went, faster, faster, faster, without resistance, plunged straight for the Cloud Sea, no one to save him.

He opened his eyes, ouch, what's that burning sensation in one's chest? Is one dead? No, this is, Cloud Sea, Alrest, oh right, one recalled one slipped off. Where is one? A branch? Oh, still on the World Tree! What strong branch to withstand one's fall. He jolted and reached for his shirt, saw the gleaming reflection. Yes, it's safe there, the stuff he'd brought back, shining, feeling.

Never found the Praetorium was such a long journey back, but luckily, one's back, alive and safe, to one's comfort zone. Inside his room, he took out the two crystals, placed them side by side. They floated mid-air, like sexy lady luring him to resonate. The dark purple one on the left? The light green one on the right? Which feels more like one? What do one wish to achieve? Which can help one achieve what one want to achieve? His eyes looked to the right, his hand reached for the middle.{{footnote: Follow thy heart, not thy eyes!}} Why not both?

"Praetor?... Praetor Amalthus?" Who is that calling me there? Wait, Praetor? Yes, Praetor. One's now a Praetor. No, this is in the past. Ah, such memories, carved so deep one could never forget the day. No, 500 years had not been enough to wipe it out.

The daydream of Amalthus was broken when someone called him. The door opened, and he had audience with someone working for the Praetorium{{footnote: One don't know the exact role, so one can't say what equivalent role in a Church one can label him.}}, which we'll call him the Commander{{footnote: Because he appeared a few times, we need to give him a label.}} "The boy has arrived, Your Eminence."

"Thank you."

At the Audience Chamber, he sat at the king's seat, with a lined of soldiers behind him, and accompanied by the Commander. The group stopped at the frontier of the bottom, he started speaking, "So you're Rex. I've heard much."

"Hi, err... Y-you're not- the Praetor, are you?"

Nia was equally shocked, "Huh? No way."

"Indeed, I am Amalthus. I understand your surprise. I imagine you expected somebody older."

Rex: "We heard that you were- Cole's Driver... Y-Your Eminence! Sorry, sorry!"

"No need for formalities. I am a mere- representative of the Praetorium. The name- 'Praetor'- is simply a... decoration, if you will. In any case, we're the same, you and I. Aegis Drivers. I consider us... equals."

He scratched his head at such praises from the high, "Ahahah, I feel a bit better now you've put it that way. Your Eminence."

He turned his eye on Pyra, noticed, "You're different somehow. I seem to recall a more forceful personality."

Pyra: "Huh..."

Rex: "Oh! I almost forgot, here-" He took out Cole's dagger. The soldiers bluntly reacted to it, pointed their axe-like staff at him. Amalthus urged them to sheathe, and they stood back. Rex waited and continued, "I got this... from Cole. He said it belonged to you. Please!"

"Ahhhh, Cole... That brings back memories." The Commander took the weapon from Rex and passed it to Amalthus.

Rex explained their real purpose, "We're looking for a way to Elysium. Cole told us... that you would know the way. I have to get to Elysium! To... to save Alrest... any way I can! I mean, we won't know for sure- what we can do until we get there, I suppose. But if the stories are true, it's somewhere we can all live safely! It has to be real!"

He started speaking, but Rex seemed to hear some different voice in him, like a broken radio, or is it, a superposition? That sound, he recalled, like... Malos... even the way he speaks, "Long ago. Too long ago, I used to think like you. Indeed, it led me to climb... the World Tree. However, I did not find Elysium. Or... the Architect. I believe... it was because I was... unworthy."

Then, the superposition ceded, Rex saw Amalthus as Amalthus again, "Rex, I know your desire all too well. I shall help you... on your quest."

Rex was overwhelmed, "Really? Oh, thank you sooo much!"

"No need for thanks. This may be my destiny. The reason... I've lived all these years. And now..." He looked to Pyra.

She introduced, "Pyra. My name- is Pyra."

"I would be honored, to have a moment alone with- Pyra. I'd like to... reminisce- a little."

Without Pyra, they exited the audience chamber into the open. Nia was impressed, "So old man Cole really did know the Praetor. Who'd have thought?"

Tora: "World is small place."

Rex worried, "Will Pyra... be OK- by herself?"

Nia don't understand his worries, "He's the Praetor, dimwit. What's he gonna do, eat her?"

That didn't cede his concerns, as he shared, "Back there, I felt something weird, for a second."

"What?"

"Urmph..." Should he share it? That sounds so weird, and so, out of logic...

"Rex?"

"It- felt- like we were talking to that Malos guy."

She immediately dismissed him without a second thought, "You're imagining things. You know he's Malos's Driver, and it's messing with your head."

Poppi agreed, "They not seem alike to me."

Rex shook his head, "No, I know... it was just for an instant! Just this one moment, where I couldn't tell if we were talking to the Praetor or Malos... Sorry, I'm not explaining it well..."

Gramps understood, shared, "There are- Blades who are- influenced a lot- by their Drivers- during resonance. Their appearance, their personality... That's probably all it is." Does that means the Praetor wanted all the damage that Malos caused? That Malos is just reflecting what the Praetor actually wanted to do?

Dromarch hypothesized, "Perhaps it was due to your bond with Pyra. That could have heightened your perception of such things." But they don't know... Is it true? He still had doubts, but he couldn't prove anything, nor observe further, at least for the moment.

He brought her to look at the mural painting, the birth of Alrest, shared, "It was painted 1500 years ago. Even through exposure to the elements, it has never needed repair. Always as pristine as the day it was made. The technique is long-forgotten. I often wonder if we are growing as a people... or in fact, regressing. What do you think?"

Pyra don't know. Whom he wanted to reminisce with, was Mythra, so she took over, waiting for this moment long enough. "I'm just amazed... at how little you've changed. Has nobody ever wondered about that?"

"I am Indoline, and the Driver of an Aegis. It keeps me young."

"If you say so... Why do this now, though? You've- never let anyone go there before, have you?"

He looked away, back at the mural painting, replied, "Times change, Mythra. So do people."

"That's not an answer."

"I would like to believe- there is one- who can reach the Architect- and save- this dying world. Is that really- so strange?"

"And Rex is the one?" she asked seriously. To get him involved in this?

"Would you have resonated with him, if he did not hold- such potential?" Who knows what they're thinking in each other's head?

Temperantia. Night. A calm night. The guards thought, the day would be as usual, another eventless night. But no, when Jin silently appeared behind them, and no guards on duty noticed, thrusting his blade in and out of them silently; even when he reached the Judicium weapon, no one alerted anybody else. He looked at the weaponry, amazed that "It's still intact after all these centuries. Amazing. The pinnacle of Flesh Eater technology..."

Jin entered the control center and placed his arms around the controls, "Tenacious creatures, humans."

Oh, how Lora tears rolled down her cheeks, what history he cannot change, all energy receded from his body, he could not struggle against, as she said, "I'm so sorry to do this to you..."

His heart beat strong; he could hear it. Why? Why could we not stand to face it together? Why had you made decision without first asking for my opinions? Why do you have to sacrifice yourself for all this? He clenched his fist, tighter and tighter, anger rushed up his chest. No, 500 years had only grew the flames, like a forest fire, burning wilder and ever larger.

The mechanism was awake once more, after so long it slept, a sleeping lion awaken. The metal structure to support it began toppling, the Titan stretched itself, free itself. The engine warmed, he awaits. It shall soon regain strength.

Outside their room, Brighid received words from a soldier, she answered, "I see. Very well." She returned into the room. Mòrag was looking outside the window when Brighid's relayed the info, "It appears Senator Roderich paid a visit to the Praetorium last night, off the record. Did you know that?"

"No. I haven't heard anything from His Majesty. Why now, I wonder? I can't imagine he was just paying his respects."

"Do you think it's something to do with the excavation? Temperantia?"

"Hmm... The issue His Majesty mentioned? If that is the case, he must be making covert deals with the Praetorium. Curse that man!"

Battleships floated the entire airspace; the ground littered with soldiers. It started shaking, and they looked, prepared for impact. The Judicium weapon Titan marched slowly, carrying the heavyweight on its back, step by step, plunged deep into the soft dirt beneath. The flaps on its back raised, revealed the whole mechanism, a ranged weaponry aimed at the frontline.

It took a while to charge, but they wait no longer. Thousands of beams swirled in the air, the angle reached from the far left and far right of the front line, missing not one of them. The ones behind were lucky enough to have their colleagues acting as meat shield. But the ones in front? Entirely wiped out. Jin watched emotionlessly, all should go to hell.

They were resting in their dormitories when the Commander, in a suppressed panicked voice, asked the group politely but quickly, "Sincere apologies everyone, but I come with an urgent request." They sensed their urgency and raced out of their room, the Commander instructed, "Please go to the Audience Chamber at once!"

Footnotes:

Off to Temperantia, Encounter with Jin

The group met Amalthus and Fan at the Audience Chamber. Amalthus briefed them, "As you may know, there is a demilitarized zone between Mor Ardain and Uraya. Temperantia. Think of it as a buffer between the two nations. We've received word of- fighting- in the area. Mor- Ardain- are in possession of a Titan weapon. They're advancing as we speak towards the Urayan garrison."

"Impossible!" Mòrag hadn't heard about any instruction from the Emperor for attacking Uraya, nor does she believe her brother would make such a choice.

"Well, the two countries' Titans are at their closest right now..."

"You're saying we were WAITING for a chance to strike? Unthinkable! Our people would NEVER go to war against His Majesty's will!"

Brighid logically urged, "At any rate, we must investigate."

"Yes... You're right. Praetor, I beg your leave. We need to find out what's going on. Your Eminence."

"Thank you." And she and Brighid left the room.

"Your Eminence, we..." Rex wanted to help, but he needed permission. Amalthus broke his sentence, speak,

"Might I ask you to assist Special Inquisitor Mòrag- in her investigation?"

Pyra accepted it at once, "We have no reason to refuse. And you- needn't worry about me."

"I am quite grateful to hear that."

Rex urged, "Let's go after them, hurry!" And they left the room. Fan gave her bow, despite they're no longer looking.

Senator Roderich, in his living quarters with the soldiers, was enraged, "Who?! Who's responsible for this?! Preparations are still ongoing, if we attack now, we could-"

Mòrag immediately walked in with Brighid, "What, have you done, Senator Roderich?"

"Special Inquisitor?! What are you doing here?"

She didn't have the obligation to answer him, continued, "The Emperor ordered that the dig be halted. He was VERY specific, Senator. If you've restarted it, you have violated- His Majesty's will."

He argued, "The Emperor doesn't understand Mor Ardain's urgent lack of resources. This is for the Empire."

Mòrag shook her head, cannot agree, "Your patriotism is touching. But that doesn't explain why you're waging war with Uraya!"

"It wasn't me! I did not give that order! Even I would never dream of... declaring war without His Majesty's express consent!"

"So who in the..."

"Mòrag!" Rex entered the room with his friends.

Roderich cannot believe random people can enter when they're having a meeting, burst into rage, "Who... who are these people?! Bursting in here?"

Mòrag introduced, "This- is the Driver of the Aegis. You are to afford him the same respect as me."

"This is him?! I'd heard the rumors, but this boy..."

Rex dismissed the cliché deprecating statement he'd heard too much, more concerned and impressed with "There are rumors now? Wow, am I really that famous?"

Brighid explained the reason for his celebrity status. "Do you have any idea how much it costs to repair a water tower? It's a lot."

Rex's eye sagged down, with Gramps commenting, "So, less famous, more- infamous."

Anyway, back to the point, Rex tucked his fame within his belly and got to the point, questioned, "Mòrag, is Mor Ardain really attacking?"

"They are. As much as I hate to admit it."

"Tell me -- what's going on?!"

After the story, Dromarch noted, "Tricky indeed. If this escalates into all-out war..."

Roderich agreed, "The timing is all wrong. We can't win this fight, not now..."

Zeke hated it, "Sounds like you WERE planning to start this sooner or later. Sly rat."

Rex urged, "Maybe save the accusations for now."

Mythra took over, asked, "But the Empire never really wanted a war, did it?"

Only now did Roderich focused on her, noticed, "That Core Crystal! Don't tell me you're the-"

"ANSWER me!" She snapped.

He was intimidated by the legends, stuttered, "Y-y-y-you're right."

Rex: "Mythra?" Had she anything to add?

She was considering different point of views, voiced her opinions in questions, "Who stands to gain from an Ardainian-Urayan war?"

"Who gains... You don't mean..." The first group that immediately came into their mind.

Nia concluded, "Jin and Torna!"

Poppi: "It very possible."

Gramps: "But- how?"

Tora: "Maybe- just coincidence after all...?"

"Masterpon." Poppi sighed, can't believe how innocent her masterpon is.

Rex: "I wish I could believe that."

Roderich pleaded, "Inquisitor Mòrag, please. You are the only one who could put a stop to this!"

"It's a bit late for that, don't you think? But I'm not going to sit back and watch. Brighid!"

"Right." And they walked out the room, decided to deal with it themselves.

"Mòrag..."

"Rex, this is an imperial matter. We can't ask for your aid in this affair."

"Not if it's really a coincidence, like Tora said. But... if Torna are really involved, doesn't that make this our problem, too?"

"But..."

"Think of it as- compensation for the water tower! How's that?"

Nia already guessed, "I knew you'd go there."

Zeke: "You're so noble it hurts."

She thought for a while, weighing the pros and cons of involving the Aegis in all these, decided finally, asked formally, "Very well. Can I ask you- to help me again?"

Rex: "Yep! We're on the case!"

Mythra: "Yes, of course." Senator Roderich was too guilty to face them, looked aside on the floor as they were discussing.

"I'll accompany you." A voice from the entrance.

"Fan?"

"What's happening in Temperantia right now... It's being led by a weaponized Titan, correct? My power doesn't only affect Blades. It also works against Titans. I- am- certain... I can be of assistance. Besides..."

"Besides?"

She thought for a while before mustering the courage to share, "I-I have the strangest feeling that... I'm somehow meant to be there."

Oh no... meeting with Jin? Mythra don't know what to say about it. "Fan la Norne, you..."

They were waiting for their ship being prepared at the port. Meanwhile, they gathered around in a circle, talking. Nia was notorious about, "Hey, remind me again why we're bringing this spanner?"

Zeke answered for himself, "Because this sounds like fun."

"We're not on holiday here."

"I've heard a lot about these Torna people."

Pandoria added, "They're the ones collecting Core Crystals, yeah?"

"And besides... I can't pretend this doesn't concern us, too. Not when they're calling themselves... Torna..."

Nia wondered what he'd got to do with Torna. Rex looked at her and Mythra, to see if they'd any idea what he's talking about. Why so serious suddenly? She urged, "Shellhead?"

The ship drifted slowly towards Temperantia; it was near now. A soldier reported, "Lady Mòrag, greetings. I have news from the front. Our Titan weapon has crossed the central border! It's advancing at about 40 titanpeds per hour!"

"Hmm. I want to get in front of it." she ordered. "Is there a suitable place to dock?"

He immediately replied, "There's a bay fairly close by. If you dock there you should be able to get to the cliffs above it."

"Understood. Go."

"Yes, ma'am."

Temperantia, a battle scarred land, a layer of black soil painted every inch of the land. Spear-like hills stretched to the sky in great numbers like porcupine. What is the Titan, actually?

They reached the top of a ledge, easy for them to observe the battlefield. Flames consumed the Urayan frontline. The sheer heat released even distorts light. The lifeless corpses littered the ground. Brighid felt, "How awful..."

Zeke agreed, "Mmm... They didn't stand a chance."

Rex's eyes swiped over the battlefield and located their target. "Look! Over there!" The giant Titan continued moving slowly towards its destination. Then, it raised its weapon again, aiming at the frontline.

Mythra warned, "Watch out! Here it comes!" They were also within range; some shot the rocks on the ledge they stood, but ducking low...

"AAAAAARRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!"

Rex got back up unscathed, "Ungh! Everyone, OK?"

Zeke assured him, "Just about, I think."

Yet, not everyone were as lucky as them. The Urayan soldiers running for their dear lives below were not. Worse, flames blocking their way acted as bottlenecks, prevented them from escaping fast -- at least not fast enough to escape the jaws of the Judicium weaponry.

"We have to stop it." Rex announced.

Nia wondered, "How do we do that?!"

Mòrag had gotten the blueprints from Roderich, researched it, and shared, "On its back, there's an Ardainian drive mechanism. If we can... somehow sever the cables connecting it to each leg, its energy supply will be cut off. It'll stop."

Dromarch thought of something better, "Lady Mythra, I presume you'll be able to destroy them?"

Rex found that straightforward "Good plan!"

Mòrag half-agreed, "Sure, that sounds- like a feasible measure... That is, if we don't mind reducing the whole area to ashes."

Zeke don't understand, "What do you mean?"

She explained, "I read instruction manuals. It's my job to know these things. The weapon is powered by vaporized Titan bodily fluids. The gas it makes is completely unstable. The slightest shock, and we have a giant explosion on our hands. There- was an accident here just 3 months ago because we didn't see how unstable it was."

Mythra: "If we'd just attacked without realizing that..."

Rex: "Argh, dammit!" It would befits Jin's goals too that way.

Dromarch wondered, "Why make a weapon that dangerous?"

Mòrag explained, "As long as we got the weapon inside enemy lines, destroying the weapon would destroy them too. That, was the justification given."

Zeke didn't like it, "That's so cold it's almost impresive."

Brighid too, "That's exactly why the Emperor called a halt to the excavation."

Nia wondered, "Can't we get at the people on board?" The Titan was on cooldown, not moving, not attacking right now.

Mòrag shared, "The control center is protected by 10 layers of armor. The chances of it being breached or destroyed are low. But... that armor is limited. It doesn't entirely cover the energy cables."

Rex concluded, "So... it's them, or nothing."

Tora had one last question, "How we get up on Titan's back?"

Mythra took over such job. The trajectory towards the frontline, she plotted in her mind. Anything protruding they could use to jump on it when it passes through? She searched the route for such feature, and focused on one thorny rock up ahead. Some distance to cover, but hopefully they'll arrive there on time. No time to lose, she instructed, "Up ahead -- there's a spot where the cliff juts out. If we can get up there, we'll be able to jump onto its back."

Gramps was slightly pessimistic, "But if our timing's off, we go headfirst down to the bottom of the cliff?"

Dromarch had worries too, "And we'd have to make it across... avoiding its attacks all the while."

"I'll take care of it."

Rex: "Fan?"

"I mean, I'll stop the Titan moving. While it's stopped, you all jump onto its back."

"Fan, you..." No time to think. "All right, then! But you'd better be careful!"

"Don't worry, I will." The seriousness in her tone took over her usual calm and serene. Perhaps, the situation of the battlefield had angered her; that even she could not withstand such acts of violence.

"Then let's go!"

"Almost there!" Yet an explosion in front of them stopped them in their tracks. The explosion was too strong and tight, he whined, "Ugh!!! We can't get closer!!!"

"Allow me!!!" She dashed forward.

"Fan!!!"

Mythra knew her all too well, urged, "Leave her. She'll be fine, trust me." Fan adeptly dodged the attacks while running, reached the other edge{{footnote: which isn't the one the others were going, just some random edge with less firepower.}} while the rest awaited for her. Immediately, she casted her spells and released the largest field spell she could sustain. The Titan immediately stopped attacking and started whining, losing its power.

Mòrag urged, "Now! Let's move!" They dashed quickly to the tip, jumped without a second thought. The way down wasn't too far, all landed safely at the back, the platform where Roderich stood before he departed for the Praetorium. The cable was naked before their eyes.

Rex quickly get to it with his sword "We just need to cut that..." Just then, the ground started shaking, and the mechanism that held the cable started transforming. Rex was surprised, "Huh?"

Mòrag was feeling slightly guilty for it, "An independent defense mechanism... Ardainian technology. My apologies."

Zeke can't believe they made something to prevent themselves from accessing their job, "Why would you even bloody make something like that?"

Nia urged, "Bitch later -- fight now!" Fan had also followed them down the platform the last, after she confirmed the rest had got down safely.

Explosion severed the cables; the Titan became lifeless. Rex noted, "It's stopped!"

Mòrag agreed, "Yes. Seems like it."

Jin recognized already, all those old friends of his, now enemies, "It's you. I thought it might be." He exited and stood at the top of the control center, watching them from above.

Rex: "Jin!!!"

Mythra: "I knew it."

Fan met him for the first time since her resurrection, "So this is Jin. Leader of Torna. I am Fan la Norne. As envoy of Praetor Amalthus, I am bringing you into custody." That face reminded him, but it's no longer her, the Haze he'd known. Anyways, had he really cared about Haze? Lora, perhaps, but Haze...

"How ironic! That you should speak his name with that face... Oblivious to everything, even your own identity!"

"Wha...?! Do you... know something about-?!"

She wanted to know, but he'd turned his attention to Mythra, pointing his sword at her, wobbling from anger, "And you, Aegis! Don't you dare stand there, acting like you're not involved in all this!"

Mythra bit her words, "All right. Then tell me this... Why are you, who fought alongside us to defeat Malos, now standing by his side?"

Rex was surprised to discover that "Jin... fought against him?!"

"It's very simple. I realized he had the right of it. That's all." When the city fell and he, like a beggar, losing all hope, Malos was the one standing before him. The savior. That eye... But that was after Lora had died.

Mythra pressed, "I don't think it's as simple as that at all."

He jumped down to face them on the same ground, commented, "So clever. You always were too clever for your own good."

"Sorry, that's just the way I am."

"Mythra, don't tell me..." Rex guessed.

"Yes. He's a Blade too. He was the strongest Blade in Torna... until it fell in the war."

"'It fell', says the girl who sank it!"

Rex cannot believed what he'd heard, "A Blade?"

Mythra continued, "There were none stronger... yet none kinder, either. And... no one, who hated to fight more than him. Why, Jin? What changed?!"

"What if I told you, it was your fault?"

"Mine?"

"If you hadn't sealed yourself away... Then she'd still..."

Her eyes widened, guessed it already, "OOHHHHHH!!! So that's it." She had no more questions.

He took his sword and pointed at them, slowly by slowly, he took down his mask, revealing the core crystal on his forehead that shone bright red. The group was shocked, "HUH!"

Rex noted: "That Core Crystal!!!"

Mythra: "That color... It's like... blood."

Mòrag: "Careful!"

Brighid: "That Crystal isn't normal."

Jin threw his mask aside. Slowly, he walked towards them; they tensed their muscles.

Fan warned, "Put away your sword. My ability is to restrict a Blade's every action. As long as you are a Blade, there is nothing- you can do- to escape its clutch."

Rex recalled, "Wait, restricting Blades' powers?! Then before -- was that...?!" Patroka, she had it as well.

Jin did not obliged to force, urged, "Go ahead, and try."

Rex dragged backwards, wondered, "Ugh... how? How is he still moving?! Even that Patroka girl couldn't withstand it..."

Mythra was sure, "No, it's working. His powers are certainly limited now. But Jin... he's one of the most powerful Blades in history."

"Even so, we can beat him!" he optimistically believed. "We just have to work together!"

Jin: "I don't think so." As if teleported, but actually moving at a fraction of the speed of light, even faster than Zeke could react, appeared an arm's length in front of Fan, whom was in the back-line. The others had just reacted, turned their heads there just in time to see his sword pierced into her chest, directly at her Core Crystal.

Mòrag was surprised, "What?!"

Rex: "Fan!!!"

Jin punched his sword deeper; they looked at each other in their eyes. He said, "You are no slave. Be free now."

Her eyes changed; something felt so familiar. Is he... Her hands wobbled, dropped her staff on the ground, shakily reached out for his cheek, caressed. Jin's breathe stopped that moment. Why? Why does her eyes, so full of... Lora... the same look before they die...

He could take no further, pulled out the sword hard, and dashed back to where he originally stood. Only now, facing the other direction, trying to calm the first ripple he felt since Lora's death in his heart. He could not look at her. Not with those eyes. "Ngh!"

"Fan..." Rex went into depression. Once again, after Vandham, someone dear to him he lost. He'd just promised to help her find her identity, striking up a chat with Mythra. He hadn't yet fulfilled their promise; and now he no longer could? She dropped to the ground, lifeless; she don't even return to her core crystal -- no, with only half a crystal, she lost her immortality; the other half damaged by Jin now. "No... no, why?! JIN!!! WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU DO THIS?! WHAT GOOD DOES IT DO YOU?!"

Perhaps he needed something to distract him from thinking about those eyes. Striking up a conversation and sharing his goal would be a good choice. "Why, you ask...? Then let me ask you this. Blades are granted phenomenal power, from our creator on high, yet we are doomed, to never remember. Why?"

"What..." He was confused.

"The accumulation of memories, is what allows mankind, no, all life to grow. Change. Evolve. But... Blades, are fleeting. When we return to our cores, our memories are lost. Our growth... snatched away forever."

Mòrag tried to rebut, "People aren't so different."

He agreed, "Man's life too has an end, yes. However, though each individual life is fleeting, you pass on your memories, allowing you to grow. As a species, as a culture. Why does Indol control all the Core Crystals? By controlling the moment of every Blade's birth, they enslave our entire kind. How is that fair? We have no culture because Indol decrees it. Because that's what your kind do!"

Nia's head dropped lower and lower. She felt it; she can feel; each word, like a bang on her heart. But she don't know what to say. She's too young to consider such questions, to pick a side. Perhaps, a sense of guilt awash her.{{footnote: If you still don't get it, since Vandham, you'll have to wait.}}

Mythra wanted to stop him from continued speaking, "Jin!"

He had no obligation to, angrily blurted out, "Why are you the masters, and we the slaves? It is we... who embody the very nature of this world!"

Rex don't yet understand the new perspective, "Blades... embody, the world? I don't... get- what you're..."

"If you saw the last state of humanity, you'd understand!" He pointed his sword at him, said, "Now that you have come this far, there can be no- turning- back. But... I'm afraid your journey ends here."

He held out his sword, readied for another sparring. But then, Jin's sword started to shake vibrantly, and his Core Crystal smeared like flames. "GARRRRGGGHHH!!" He went down, held his forehead in throbbing pain. "Nghh... Why now..." Why reaching the limit now?

Zeke took such moments as rare opportunity, shouted, "HEY! NOW'S OUR CHANCE!!!"

"Huh?" Rex was still daydreaming, and the shout brought him back to reality.

Zeke urged, "What are you standing around for?! SHOW THAT SCUMBAG WHAT'S WHAT!!!" They'd killed Fan, and you're not to revenge?

Immediately, a giant dark energy beam swooshed in between them, separated them from reaching Jin. Rex was surprised, "What?!"

"It's Akhos!"

He held a giant bow and picked up Jin's mask, went up to Jin and said, "Malos sent me. Time to make an exit. Ready?" He carried him with Jin's arm wrapped around his shoulders; no time to waste. He, too, had limited time.

"Ugh..." Jin's head was throbbing too much to reply.

Zeke wasn't happy with the situation. You'd just killed one of my people and now you're running? He stood forward, shouted, "Who says we're going to let you go?"

Akhos: "Hah! You really don't understand, do you? You really think this is over?"

"What the-" The ground started shaking and the Ardainian defense mechanism came back alive. "HOW?!! WE CUT THE BLOODY CABLE!!!"

Akhos agreed, explained, "Certainly. But- some energy still remains, deep in its core. Don't you see? It's like a Blade weapon!" The Titan even came back to life, ready to make its finale. He backed up with Jin, one step at a time, attracting their attention with his words, "Well, you seem busy. I'll leave you to it. Bye!" And he jumped away.

Rex called out, "Wait!" But the defense mechanism stuck its leg in front of them, preventing them from catching up with them.

"UGH!!" They had a final battle to fight. Worse, without Jin with them, how are they going to convince Uraya it's not them? But that's some headache for later.

"I don't get it..." Rex still wasn't recovered from Fan's death. He looked over her corpse. The rest looked down on the floor, or looked away, not brave enough to face him and her. Even Gramps turned a blind eye, meditating in his helmet. He dropped on his knees, hugged her within, "I'm... I'm meant to be a Driver now... I have a Blade of my own... But... I couldn't do anything... Fan... Nothing's changed... I'm just as weak- as I've ALWAAAAYYYYS BEEENNN!"

Mythra don't know how to console him. After what she, through Pyra, heard at the village; this had came true once again. Vandham, his parents, and now Fan. Everyone around her were in grave danger.{{footnote: And perhaps she was thinking, does she, if releasing her full power, can change history? Perhaps, but no. To a limited sense, she can change history with her powers, but she can't control it -- not even the general 'for better or for the worse', what says saving specific people?}}

Rex: "Jin... what happened, to make you like this?"

The sad atmosphere dissolved when Nia noticed a swarm of 'insects' incoming from the Urayan side of the battlefield. She trodded closer, squinted her eyes hard to make shape of it. "What... is that?"

Poppi dashed beside her and readjusted the zoom in her eyes. "That... Urayan army! So many of them!"

Cold shivers ran down Pandoria's skin, "What?!!!"

"NO!!!" The worst she hoped to prevent had happened. She looked around, and saw her nation's battleship occupying the airspace, accompanied by Titan tanks marching toward their current location. "SHIT!!! WHO GAVE THAT DAMN ORDER?!!"

Brighid predicted, "At this rate, I don't think there's any stopping them."

Nia don't understand, "How so?" Can't they just issued a decree to call for a retreat?

Gramps explained, "They- think- Mor Ardain- attacked them- illegally. With no declaration of war."

Zeke peered over his shoulder at Mòrag, "This is bad. If someone doesn't explain what's REAAAALLLLYYY going on..."

She looked into his eyes, "But, there's no time for that!"

Nia: "So what? We just- give up?!" Whistles in her ears; she flung around and saw ether energy sucked into a ball on the Urayan battleships.

Brighid explained, "Heavy cannons! That's Uraya's main weapon." Mòrag tightened her grip; at this rate, it'll be an all-out scale. Is it too late?

Poppi: "Here too! Mor Ardain- also readying artillery!"

Rex temporarily sunk the sadness in his heart, slowly and softly lowered Fan to the ground. They had came to stop the war, and she had died for their cause. He cannot let what she sacrificed for go to waste. "I don't care if we're not going to make it in time! We need to get to Uraya!"

Zeke agreed, "Right!"

Mythra was about to act when she sensed something incoming. Something... big... cutting the waves... "Wait!"

They too felt it, tried to pin it down, looking all over the skies. A roar from behind attracted their attention, as they watched the Indol Titans rose over from behind the mountains, looming in between the two forces, stretching its wings, bellowing for their attention.

Amalthus stood at the top of the Praetorium, gripped tight on the windowsill; just in time to stop the war.

Footnotes:

Jin and Lora, Rulers' Congress, Fan's Funeral, Aegis's Servant

He'd just woken up from an unknowingly long sleep. Immediately he saw the girl, barely 10, with short hair up till her neck and covering her forehead, looking at him with fear. His glance seemed to scare her away, as she backed away one step. So this is his new Driver? Looked so young and timid and fearful. Naturally, he stood up.

There was a guy to his left, looked thin and whimsy, from the constant work, insufficient nourishment, and prolonged intake of alcohol, a lame{{footnote: not 'boring', but 'not able to walk correctly because of physical injury to or weakness in the legs or feet', as defined here.}} himself, started scolding the little girl, "Y-you little scamp! Do you know, how much, THE CORE YOU TOOK WAS WORTH?!!! I stole it from the castle! Three- years- it took me to get it... AND NOW!!!" He watched him went up to her and started beating her up.

Another young woman in the house, sitting on her bed, did not dare rebel. She watched in fear as the guy went across the room towards the knife on the table, grabbed it in his hand, and was about to return. She mustered the courage, jumped on her feet, and grabbed his right hand, pleaded, "PLEASE! SHE'S BARELY TEN YEARS OLD!!!"

"SILENCE!!! STAY OUT OF IT!!!"

"Yargh!" He flung her hard as her head knocked against the metal cabinet, immediately went unconscious. He continued towards the little girl, oblivious of the newly awakened Blade,

"If you die, it'll be as good as new. You brought this on yourself...! YAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!" The little girl cuddled on the floor, prepared for whatever to come; but she heard a stab in the meat and an anguished shout in intense pain, and the sound of a body collapsing on the floor.

"From now on, I'll protect you." He told the girl. She slowly removed her hands covering her eyes; he squatted in front of her, as he promised, "I'll keep you safe, always..." He softly caressed her head; she saw hope. "My name is Jin. What's yours?"

He held out his hand, and her tiny hand grabbed his finger, full of trust. Childishly, she said, "Lora..."

Jin was put in a cryo pod with concentrated healing green ether particles. Malos was looking over him, found him awake, started speaking to him, "It seems like sending Akhos was the right choice..." The cryo opened up and he sat up. "You all right?"

"I've been through worse. I can handle it."

Malos took a few seconds to muster his words, "Jin... I swear I'll make your dream come true. So stop... putting yourself at risk."

"There's... still... time."

Malos knew who he's referring to, the one frozen within ice at his 5 o'clock. He asked, "Is that... part of your dream, too?" He didn't reply. Malos wondered, "What are we, in the end? This hunger I feel, this thirst... Is it really my own? Or is it someone else's?" He looked at his palm, wondered is it his, or is it his Driver's? "Huff. Sometimes I can't tell... Tell me, Jin. Are you really... 'here'? I don't know... where I really am."

"You're starting to sound like a human."

"Oh yeah?"

"Perhaps... we're not so different after all... Humans... and Blades..."

The port of Indol today had been reserved for their VIPs. The Urayan ship cruised slowly into one of the ports. The Queen, accompanied by some sidekicks and soldiers, unboard and walked towards the Praetorium members that awaited for her. As they lead their way, the Queen heard another ship much more giant than hers, but much more metallic and rusty, coming into the adjacent port. She stopped and looked for a moment, walked away before it's parked.

The steam powered ship stopped and whenever Niall and Aegaeon walked past, soldiers on both rows will stood straight and stiff. More Praetorium members awaited for his arrival, lead him to where they will go.

All battleship in Temperantia halt mid-air, as if a game had been paused. Soldiers of Uraya, having nothing to do, gathered in small circles discussing what concerned them the most. The armor of Uraya army shaped like a salvager's, with a huge metallic head seemingly built for pressure, with only a thick glass for them to see their way. One soldier asked, "What's the deal with this ceasefire?"

Another shared, "A tribunal, it looks like. Praetor Amalthus is here in person. And who's gonna argue with the Praetor?"

"Does he have any clue how many men we lost?! If those Ardainians get away with this... Architect damn it!"

The third replied, "Quit yer grumblin', mate. All this is way beyond our pay grade."

The 2nd agreed with him, said, "You got that right. We're all just faceless cannon fodder to the bigwigs. CO{{footnote: Commanding Officer, one guess.}} says jump, we jump."

In a darkly lit room. The translucent sun-orange glass implanted on the doors and room-high windows let some sunlight in, barely enough to lit the medieval-looking table. The table stretched from one end of the room to the other, with chairs on one end and to both sides of it; they were used for feasting in the past, repurposed for this meeting. Some pillars with perhaps ether flowing in it glowed behind where Amalthus sat, on one end of that table. While to his left, the Queen and her sidekicks; to his right, Niall, Aegaeon, and Mòrag.

"My deepest thanks to you- for agreeing- to this ceasefire, Queen Raqura, Emperor Niall."

The Queen, full of condensed anger, focused herself as she put her elbow on the table and loomed closer to the others, interrupted, "As I recall from the Osirian Treaty of 350 years ago, the Praetorium was to refrain from intervention in times of war. And yet here you are, intervening. But- I trust you have a suitable justification, Your Eminence?" She laid her back once more on the seat.

He understood her anger, let her finished before answering boldly, "Naturally! But first, to ensure- impartiality- in these negotiations, may I present Niranira, Acting Chairman of the Argentum Trade Guild." He was already seated on the side of Uraya, after her sidekicks. The door opened and in walked Zeke, with the Praetor introducing, "Furthermore, representing the Tantalese... His Highness the Crown Prince Ozychlyrus Brounev Tantal... will also be attending."

"The Crown Prince?! The prodigal prince of Tantal..." One of the Queen's bodyguard was surprised.

"Hahah!" Mòrag laughed. He must've hated that name.

Atop the building overlooking where Urayan and Mor Ardain battleship parked, the soldiers, moving up and down, careful not to get near to their enemy's vicinity, did not look above them, on the roof. Who would have? They were too busy with their jobs, speaking or buying supplies or whatnots. Plus, Mikhail and Patroka were just a tiny dot on the horizon; they could've easily be mistaken as large birds resting after a long flight in the Cloud Sea.

Mikhail exclaimed, "What a spectacle... Seems the Praetor- has as much clout around here as ever."

Patroka wondered, "Could we not just take them out here and now?"

"Good point. All the principal nations' heads gathered here, it'd make things easy later."

"The way to the World Tree must first be opened." Akhos walked up from behind, reminded them of their goals. "Wiping out mankind is the easy part. We could manage that ourselves."

Patroka: "Even so..."

Akhos convinced them to be patient, "That isn't our only goal, remember? We must wait- for the stage to be set."

"Is Jin serious about this?"

Mikhail looked up in the sky, as if he saw Jin there, philosophically spoke, "Yeah, I've been wondering that myself..."

Akhos strongly believed in him, "Heheheheh. Oh, he's serious. He always is. He will annihilate mankind, and then... he will kill... the Architect."

Now that everyone got themselves seated, Amalthus went straight to the point, "Now, it seems... Mor Ardain has been accused of a unilateral breach of treaty in this matter. Emperor Niall, I open the floor to you. Is there anything you wish to say?"

"While we are still conducting investigations into the cause, it cannot be denied... that weaponry belonging to our forces, was discharged against Uraya. Regardless of any- possible- reason- and circumstance, we are prepared to offer recompense- for this grave offence."

The Queen listened and concluded immaturely, "So you want to settle this with money...?"

"We will provide any compensation deemed necessary."

She shook her head, bent forward with her elbow once more on the table, replied seriously, "Perhaps I am misunderstanding. To my ears, it sounds almost as if you mean to imply that the blame for these offences... does not lie with Your Majesty, at all!"

"We are investigating. I ask that we not draw any hasty conclusions."

Amalthus wholly rejected with "What need is there for investigation? I believe a cause has already been established. There are witnesses."

"And that would be..." the Queen pressed.

The Praetor looked to Zeke. He started the story.

The Queen shunned the story in disbelieve, "What a preposterous notion! The people you speak of are merely a terrorist group! How could they possibly command that measure of-?"

Zeke forcefully cut her off, "It's the truth! I, Ozychlyrus, swear this in the name of King Eulogimenos Tantal."

Niranira added, "Can confirm- Ex-Chairman Bana- give these people some kind of supplies. Military supplies, me thinks. And in great number, yes."

The Queen's heart slightly touched, with more than a single source of witness. Yet, she don't understand, "But why would...?"

Amalthus added, "What if, I were to tell you that the Aegis Malos, who razed the world five centuries ago, was involved?"

"RIDICULOUS!!! EVERYONE knows he DISAPPEARED in a blaze of flame!"

"He's very much alive, believe me." Zeke added, cannot retain his anger, "That arsehole -- I mean, the Aegis -- has confronted us in person. And if my word is not enough for you..." He looked to the Praetorium worker standing by the door. The worker got his signal, and he went for the door; the rest of them waited for whoever he's to bring back with.

The Queen observed Mythra's in her entirety. "A Blade?! But-but that Core Crystal HUH!!!"

Zeke introduced her, "This is another Aegis, named Mythra. Your Highness has heard of her, surely?"

"So the rumors that reached us were true... Who is its Driver?"

"If you knew that, I daresay your surprise would be even greater. BUT- that is not the matter we are here to discuss, Your Highness. THIS is a DIRE situation..."

From the time she went in hours ago, he'd been looking out the window in his room that directly faced the hall. Yet, no sign of the door opening. "Six o'clock already... Mythra's been in there... for a loooong- time now..."

Nia wished him patience, "We've just gotta trust 'em. They're dealing with the leaders of whole nations. It's not like there's anything you or me can do to help..." The rest whom didn't attend gathered in the room, all seated uneasily.

"Huh..." He looked out of the window, felt so weak and powerless. If only...

There was no seat prepared for Mythra. She stood by the other end of the table, directly facing Amalthus, shared, "I've noticed something about Malos. He's an Aegis... But you wouldn't know it from how he's fighting. I think... I'm pretty sure he's damaged in some way."

The Queen's sidekick that wore glasses clarified, "You mean he can't use the full extent of his powers?"

"The wounds I dealt in our battle long ago may- not- be completely healed. His end-goal- is Elysium. He wants to go back to the place he was born. There he can heal until his powers have recovered. If Malos is allowed to restore himself..."

The Queen can already pictured, "The horrors of five centuries past will return..."

"Or worse still. Malos's goal is simple. He means to... destroy humanity- in its entirety."

Niall couldn't understand, "Why would anyone desire that?"

"Perhaps he doesn't even need a reason. It seems to be a deep-seated drive. An instinct. As natural as breathing."

The group took time as they digested the heart-heavy information. Where will their future lies? Amalthus brought their attention back to him, as he spoke with guilt, sincerely or pretended, "All of this- is my responsibility."

"Praetor Amalthus? What do you mean?" asked Niall.

"It was none other than I... who awakened Malos... and unleashed him... upon the world."

Queen Raqura seat up, "So, Your Eminence... the rumor that you were once Malos's Driver is..."

"I never intended to obscure the truth. It is writ plain... for all to see in history books. I was a fool. It was to prevent such foolishness... that alllll passage to the World Tree- was forbidden- after the Aegis War. However, it has become apparent- that the laws of men do not apply to Malos..." He waited for a while to think, before announcing boldly, "Huh... The time may have come... to lift- that restriction..."

Everyone else had already left the room. By the door, Mythra stayed back with Amalthus. "I appreciate this."

Mythra snapped, "Don't think you've earned my trust. But since Rex is going to Elysium, their paths are bound to cross... That's all."

The Praetor nodded, commented, "I'm surprised- you seem so devoted to the boy."

She looked away, "It's for both our sakes." Then look back at him, "But you, Amalthus... Who is it that you're living for?"

"Huh..."

The sun had just came out not long ago. Perhaps it was around 8 in the morning, when the inhabitants of the Indoline Praetorium gathered by the plaza, paying the tribute to Fan, putting flowers beside her coffin. Behind, some soldiers stood in a semicircle and near Amalthus, on the stage. Rex stood at the far edge of the Plaza, did not went forward to pay his tribute. Gramps cared not to disturb him in this moment. Mythra, Nia, and Dromarch accompanied him here, but they stay far, squatting or standing near the wall.

Nia commented, "I guess they did call her a Goddess... The state funeral makes sense." Then asked Mythra, "Shouldn't you be with him?"

"He's a boy. Best not to bother them at times like this."

"Heh! I expected you'd be more clingy. You really are different from her."

"Actually, letting him be was more her idea than mine."

"Really? Pyra's? Get out!" She don't believe it, but something clicked, "So wait, you're saying you WANT to go be clingy, or what?"

She looked at her feeling annoyed, threatened, "I'll burn you."

Nia jumped up, "I kid, I kid! Sheesh!"

The inhabitants closed their eyes, holding onto the flowers on their hand, or just clenched them together and held close to their heart, while Amalthus bowed before Fan.

Nia asked quietly, "It's weird though..."

"What is?"

"I mean, don't you think it's odd? Normally, if a Blade or its Driver dies, it'll just go back to being a Core Crystal. So why is Fan just dead?"

"I did wonder the same thing. There's only one way I know for a dead Blade to keep its physical form. Remember Minoth? I mean Cole. He was a Flesh Eater."

"Yeah."

"But... Fan wasn't a Flesh Eater. I can say that for sure." Then she made a diamond shape with her fingers.

"What's that?"

"That's the shape of Fan's Core Crystal. Well, how it used to be."

"But... now, it's a triangle!"

"Rex and I are quite a unique case, but this is different still."

"How's it different?"

"If a Blade shares its core with another, its shape changes in a uniform fashion. In our case, the center part went to Rex, and the outer part to us. I don't know why that is, but it seems to be a rule."

"But... Fan's isn't like that..."

"Exactly." The coffin lid was closing as they prepared for her burial. Mythra eyed Amalthus afar, her mind went to one unbelievable yet the most likely possibility, "It looks more like... someone stole her core, doesn't it?" And that someone had final speeches with his fellow inhabitants.

They walked into the room with the Praetorium Sigil carved out on the wall. Amalthus stood before the crystals, where bubbles washed over them. The Core Crystals floated into a shape like DNA, rotating around the central axis of the helix. After Amalthus finished, he turned to the group, "My apologies. Did I keep you waiting?"

"N-no, not- really. What... were you doing?"

"I was cleansing the Core Crystals. It markedly increases- their resonance success rate. Bonding with a Crystal carries certain risks, you understand..."

"I know."

"When I became the Driver of an Aegis, this power- was awakened in me."

"So... I-I might be able to do it too?"

"Who knows? Different people are cut out for different things..."

"Right, yeah."

"Now then. My work is done for the day. Come with me."

The meeting room, still dark as ever. They gathered around a small table located behind where Amalthus sat earlier during the meeting. He explained what he wanted the group to do, and Rex was surprised, "A special envoy... to Tantal? Me?"

"Correct. Behold." On the table, a map of Alrest and the titans were laid out before them, "As a salvager, I imagine you are already aware. But this- is Alrest, the world we currently inhabit. We make our home on Titans, moving in circles- around the World Tree. And here- lies the Great Void." A great distance from the edge of the waterfall that surrounded the World Tree from its bark.{{footnote: Can we not fly through? Any flies would be whipped down by Ophion.}} "This Void, came into being 500 years ago. It did not exist prior to that."

"So I've heard. It's in our way, anyway. I-It stopped us reaching the World Tree."

"The Great Void, is carved from the Cloud Sea by a monstrous beast- known as Ophion."

Rex recalled, "Wait, you mean... that thing?"

"To be precise, it is an Artifice, a servant of the Aegis."

"Of Mythra?" He looked to her. She didn't deny.

Nia wondered, "So if that thingy is Mythra's, then what did it attack us for?! Doesn't make sense!"

Mythra explained, "Ophion was felled in the ancient battle with Malos, sinking below the clouds..."

Electric sparkled in its head, it losing vitality, and crashed into the clouds below.

Mythra continued, "This means... someone must have revived it."

Amalthus agreed, "Correct."

"And you're saying that someone was Zeke's home country, Tantal?" Mythra asked.

"Yes. They gave Ophion one directive. To ensure that none approach- the World Tree. They sought to prevent a repeat of the horrors of the Aegis War. So... an obstacle was created -- the Great Void."

"How did they manage a feat like that?"

"As I've said, mankind- is regressing." Zeke said nothing, had his head dropped all the time. Amalthus continued, "Only one artifact remains- that can rescind Ophion's orders, and it lies in Tantal."

Zeke opened his mouth finally, "It's called the Omega Fetter, and it's guarded by the royal family. I'll take you to it."

"I've prepared your envoy documents already. Your quest- is to set foot in Elysium, correct? Malos and his ilk... will surely seek the Omega Fetter for themselves. I would ask you... to reach Elysium before they do, and inform me of what you find there. Do it as a favor... for a once-foolish old man. And so that people may have a future... in this dying world..."

Footnotes:

Ancestors of Tantal, Bana's Plot, Emperor Niall's Selflessness

The group gathered in one of their room, Zeke briefing them, "We can reach Tantal by ship, but once there we'll need to do a spot of walking."

Nia was impressed, "So we're traveling with Shellhead here? Neeeever thought I'd see the day..."

"I think you'll find I make a fantastic ally."

Tora don't think so, "Mmmm Luck of Zeke not so great. Bet we shipwrecked by tomorrow."

"AHAHAHAHAH!!! Cheeky furball!!"

Nia agreed, commented lamely, "We're all- gonna die."

Rex got a question, "Hey, Zeke... You said before that- Torna- concerned you too... What did you mean by that?"

"Whuh? Oh, yeah, that. I don't know about those clowns, but Torna, the country that fell 500 years ago; they were the ancestors of us Tantalese. The people of Tantal- are descended from Addam, the hero of Torna- who escaped its destruction."

"So... After Pyra fell asleep, Addam escaped to Tantal?"

"That's right!" He concluded without a second thought.

Dromarch commented, "That is the first I've heard of it. I have studied much history, but this story never featured. Most- peculiar."

"We're humble. Don't really like to brag about it." He brought out something that looked like a brush for Chinese Calligraphy, explained, "The only real trace left is in this here -- sigil of the royal family..."

Mythra's eyes squeezed as she saw that once again, so similar, but there's something weird about it. It... only looks similar, but not the same as she recalled. Is it because they're descendants, so they make amendments to it? Or is it... Her thoughts flew back to earlier in the day, after the meeting, when she was with Amalthus alone,

So, why did you awaken Haze?"

"Because her power was of great use to me. Indol has found itself... under attack from Torna a number of times. She was necessary... in driving them back."

"Really? Then why don't you seem to have any others? Blades, that is."

"Heh... Driver though I may be, I am no fighter. Besides, I find the warrior monks here so reliable. They get the job done."

"Hmph! If you say so... I wonder, do you know why Torna are using the name of a dead country?"

"Jin... was a Blade of Torna, once. Loyalty or nostalgia, who can say? Perhaps both."

"Is that really all there is to it?" All sounded like common sense, but common sense usually being common nonsense, she can't believe the story is as simple as it is. Too good to be true, and it usually is.

"You don't think so?"

"I don't know much about what happened... while I slept. There are no written records- either. All we have is... stories- passed down."

"And you think that is insufficient? History... is a murky thing. Only those present... can truly know what took place."

"But weren't you one of those present?"

"And that is why... I offer you my cooperation."

Mythra don't believe what the liar said, expected that "I guess we'll find out, if we go- to Tantal..."

Without Mòrag and Brighid, the group stood at the center of the square where the ship parked just up ahead. Bazaars and stalls sell goods to people, but mostly, the visiting soldiers flooded the market with demands.

Nia felt, "Hmm... Tensions seem high."

Dromarch shared, "From what I gather, it seems an official summit is to be held- between Mor Ardain and Uraya."

"A summit? You mean, about the recent punch-up? But I thought..."

Rex don't understand too, "Didn't Praetor Amalthus- get them to stop- and sort it all out?"

"Perhaps there are some discussions they would prefer Indol not to be privy to."

Zeke added, "Besides, Uraya doesn't like to associate too closely with Indol. They'd hate to be seen as acquiescing to the Praetor's will. Gotta keep up appearances, you know?"

Nia wondered what that word means, "Ac...quiescing? You what?"

He explained, "Like, letting him tell 'em what's what."

She teased, "Hah! For such a spanner you sure use some big words. How come?"

"Stop calling me that! BUZZ OFF, kitty-no-mates! Anyway, this summit would explain why Mòrag isn't around..."

Dromarch: "Indeed. She has much to attend to."

Her brother had much to discuss with her. "Shared sovereignty over- Gormott?"

"Yes. I don't think anything less will be sufficient to placate them."

"The Senate would never approve it..."

"I can overrule them by decree. Of course, I would need to secure Senator Roderich's cooperation."

"Imperial decree? If it's come to that... Well then, I cannot dissent. I cannot help but admire your courage, Your Majesty." She bowed to him.

His eyes widened, "That means a lot, coming from you."

Just then, someone was knocking on the metallic door. The door opened and "Acting Chairman Niranira" ran in.

He immediately went directly to the point. "Sorry for intrude. Is emergency, so Niranira take liberty of drop by- unannounced..."

Niall excused him of the trouble, saw that "You certainly look troubled, Chairman. So, what is this emergency you speak of?"

"Well..."

The group hadn't moved an inch from where they stood at the square. Zeke supposed, "So, we can make our way to Tantal from here. I assume the Praetor- has a ship waiting for us."

"Hey, Shellhead!"

"What?"

"Are we really gonna just leave Mòrag behind?"

"WHO'S LEAVIN' ANYONE? She's got her own priorities, y'know."

"Y-yeah, but still..."

Gramps concluded, "Anyway, her schedule is filled with official duties right now."

Rex understood that "For sure. It's just a bit of a shame, is all. You know, since we came all this way together."

Zeke: "I guess I know how you feel, chum." Then, something caught the edge of his eyes, he turned to it in a surprise, "Uh? Speak of the devil..." Mòrag and Brighid were coming towards them from aboard the ship.

After she relayed info she heard from Niranira, Rex exclaimed, "Bana's going for the summit?"

Gramps was shocked too, "On top of everything, an assassination attempt?"

Brighid asserted, "If blood gets spilled at the summit, it'll mean war."

Zeke: "War's good for business, after all. I guess he wants to use that- to get himself back in- with the Guild..."

Rex felt betrayed, "Why, that little... I was wondering where he'd slunk off to! What a sneaky git..."

Mòrag: "It seems Acting Chairman Niranira... wishes to take care of this incident covertly, to avoid it reflecting badly upon the Guild."

"So you came to us?"

"If we mobilize the army, the whole thing will become public."

Nia wasn't very happy hearing that, "Ohhhhh I get it. So we're a more- convenient solution."

"I'm not forcing you. If you refuse, Brighid and I will do what we can- alone."

Zeke can't stand her, "AH, COME OFF IT, LADY! You wouldn't even think of dragging us into this, if you thought you could handle it on your own."

"I suppose not... You know Bana as well as I. There's no telling what he might be plotting."

Brighid added, "According to Acting Chairman Niranira, several giant weapons were being built at the factory where we last saw him. And one of them... is currently unaccounted for."

Tora: "Giant... weapons..." The only giant weapon they last saw and fought is Rosa, he recalled.

Rex blandly spoke, "Got it. Besides, you know, we've got our own score to settle with him."

Mòrag expressed, "Thank you. It will be easier to focus on my duties knowing you are on the case. Good luck."

"Leave it to us."

The group entered the Mor Ardain ship, which the summit was expected to be held. In a hanger just past the entrance, they passed by without noticing a giant crate perhaps 3 meters tall. In fact, not even the soldiers that patrolled the place felt it unusual. The box started rattling without attracting attention.

The diner, Tirkin chefs laid the foods they prepared on the table. Plates after plates, they'd a lot of people to serve later. Rex recalled what the Tirkins have business with Bana at the factory, immediately came to conclusion and called for a halt, "Stop everything! Hold it!"

The tirkins gathered around, and one representative asked, "Craa!!! Wh-wh-wh-wh-what? Wh-wh-wh-wh-who's you?"

"Don't. Play. Dumb!" He looked to the foods, immediately accused them, "POISON! THAT FOOD IS POISONED!"

"P-p-p-p-poison? You kids krazy in brains!"

Zeke: "We're past talking! QUICK, GRAB 'EM!!!"

"YAAHHHH!!!" And the fighting started.

All the tirkins fell to the floor. Someone called out, "Pleaaaaaase wait."

Rex recognized, "Pupunin?! What are you doing here?"

"What silly question! It Pupunin who hire world-famous band of gourmet chefs, Fire Dragons!"

"World... Famous?" Rex scratched his head. If they're so famous, why hadn't he heard of them?

Neither did Nia, "...gourmet chefs?"

Pupunin explained, "Mor Ardain veeeeeery insistent, want only veeeeery best food for important summit! Pupunin work wings to bone finding chefs... and now what this?!"

Rex: "Uh... So you mean..."

Pyra: "...these guys are..."

Nia finished, "...just a bunch of cooks?"

Dromarch recalled, "I did think- they were not putting up much of a fight."

Pandora: "Then this food is actually..."

Zeke went forward to taste one of the gorgeous looking plates. Cucumber and spring rolls lined the brightly colored cake, layers upon layers, with cherry toppings. HIs eyebrows raised as he stuffed one into his mouth, closed his eyes to enhance his taste buds. Electricity struck his brain, and he felt he'd been raised to heaven, "D-D-D-DEEEEEEE-LICIOUS!!! I COULD EAT THIS STUFF FOREVER!!!"

Pupunin wanted to know, with fluttering wings, "What friend doing?! Very expensive food now go to waste!"

Rex apologized with most guilt, "SORRY!!! We really did think they were here to murder someone..."

"Murder? What this nonsense friends talk?! I demand compensation. Friends have no idea how much time and money Pupunin spent on this..."

An explosion pulled their attention away from him. They braced for impact while assessing their situation, "An explostion?!"

Zeke had forgotten his culinary delicacy heaven almost immediately, "Huh? From where?!"

Soldiers were mobilized; they stopped one of them and asked, "Hey! What's going on?"

The soldier shouted to them, "Explosion in the hangar! Right when everyone was busy with Queen Raqura's arrival!!! It's really bad!!!" He immediately dashed off to the location.

Rex: "The Queen is here? This is it!"

Pyra urged, "Rex, we need to hurry!"

"Yeah!"

They had forgotten about the poor Pupunin, "Hey! Heyheyhey, wait!" But there was no one to deal with him right now. "Heyyyy!!! No running away!!! COM-PEN-SA-TIOOOOOOONNNNN!!!"

The group found Giga Rosa at the hanger. The two sidekicks of the Queen were protecting her. The Queen asked Giga Rosa, "Who are you, villain?! Is this some underhanded Ardainian trick?!"

Bana was yet again docked on the head of Giga Rosa, relayed via his speaker, "WRONG! But also right! Truth is complicated! ANYHOW, HERE- is where Queen die. IF IT LOOK LIKE QUEEN KILLED BY MOR ARDAIN, ME IN THE MONEY AGAIN!!!"

The Queen recognized "That voice... Bana, from the Argentum Guild."

"CORRRRRECT!!! TOP MARKS for the Queen!"

"But you were unseated as Chairman."

"Is not so eaaaaasy to get riiiiid of Bana! TRADE GUILD of Argentum BELONG to Bana! Down to last SCREEEEEW, last drop of OIIIIIILLLL!!!"

"Grrr...."

"Hold it, Bana!" Rex arrived just in time.

"YOU!!! REEEEEEEX!!! Meeeeeh! BANA not let Rex interfere with plans! AGAIN AND AGAIN! BANA NOT STAND FOR THIS!!!!"

"Masterpon! That Artificial Blade!"

"It Rosa?! Meh-meh-meh... Tora feel much greater power than before..." In front of the docking port was a large golden G. "Especially from mark on forehead!"

"What's going on?" Niall, Aegaeon, Mòrag, and Brighid just arrived. Niall panicked, "Wh-what's that?!"

Bana: "Oho-ho-ho!!! EVEN EMPEROR come straight to Bana! CONVENIENT little moth to flame!"

Nia urged, "Come on, Bana. Cut the bad guy talk and accept you've lost. You know you won't get away with it, what with all these wit-nesses here!"

"IF Bana simply kill everyone, then nobody BLAB!!! Victory of Bana is ASSURED!!!"

Rex and the others took out their weapons, he replied, "You know- we can't let you do that!"

"Huhuhuhuhuhuhuhuh! You think you handle the pooooooower of upgraaaaaaded Giga Rosa?! Things go veeeeeeery diffeeeeeerent this time!"

The surface of Giga Rosa sparkled with electricity. The docking port once again detached from its head. Bana, in full disbelief, climbed out of the controller's room, "How... Even Giga Rosa defeated by these nasty meddling kids..."

Mòrag walked forward, announced that "This ends here, Bana. You are under arrest. The Praetorium will handle the judgment. Assassination is a serious matter. Your sentence will be harsh."

The Queen decided to observe who wanted to kill her closer up, "So the mercantile genius Bana... meets an inglorious end before my very eyes. Pitiful."

How could he, Bana, lose like this? No, no way will this be his end. "Grrr... Bana is..."

"Hm?" What had this wretched rat had to say, wondered Mòrag.

"Bana, is not kind of man to go down like this!" He revealed a remote control with only a big red button, imprinted with a G on it.

"Ah!" The group braced for impact.

"If I go down, I take YOU- with me!" He brought it up high, ready to press the button.

"Watch out!" Blood rushed into Niall's brain; he subconsciously dashed past Mòrag and the Queen, reaching for Bana. "Aegaeon!"

"As you wish! Huuuuuhhh!!" With full might, a shield raised to defend everyone. Niall was within but not Bana. Niall exited the shield in the raising eyebrows of Mòrag, to reach for Bana; but it was too late. Had he been one step closer, he would have snatched the control before Bana pressed it. The ether furnace of Giga Rosa self-detonated. Bright light blinds the eyes of all, restricted any further actions for a second. The light dimmed with the loss of the shield.

The Queen was awestruck, partly from a close call to death's door, partly from his actions. "(pant pant pant) Niall Ardanach... You... You sought to... protect us?"

He turned around with a thin smile, "I'm... glad..." they were all right. Darkness engulfed him, and he dropped unconscious.

The world dimmed as he occupied her whole vision. She brought him up, wrapped him in her arms, screamed, "Majesty! MAJESTYYYY!!!" She scanned his body; dark blood dripped through burned clothes. Severe burn injured large part of his torso and limbs. It was well beyond saving, she thought, of the imperial capital's medical technology. "Your Majesty! Please, no!"

Aegaeon sighed, "Your Majesty... I have... failed you..." And he returned to his core. Only a Driver's death can a Blade return to its core{{footnote: The other way round, the Blade returning to its core but the driver don't, in the case of Torna Drivers, isn't possible here because Aegaeon don't stand in front of Niall, hence damaging his core but not his Driver.}}, Mòrag was sure about it.

All hope had lost. "I... it can't be... To protect us, you... Please, wake up! Niall!" The others don't know how to react nor consoled her who'd just lost her brother, "NIALLLLL!!!"

"Mòrag..."

Nia's heart raced once more. The last time she could've fight and Vandham could be save, but she didn't. Had not Mythra been awakened, they'd been roasted now. And now, again, she shall fail her teammates, because of a deep underlying fear? No, she's not going to let that happen again. Not with the escalating guilt that'll live within her forever if she can do something but don't. "Dromarch."

"Yes?"

"Distract the others..."

"Distract? I'm not sure I..." Then, it struck him what she wanted to do, "N-no! My Lady, you cannot-!"

"There's still time... Hurry!"

Not that he could deny the will of his Driver. "Yes, my lady!" He went by the door and shouted, "There are more of them!"

Mòrag was doused with desolation when, like a match thrown into a gallon of oil, her desolation ignited, to destroy every last one of 'em, "Where?"

Zeke was so confused, "What'd you say?!"

Without further adieu, he lead, "This way! The rest of you should get to safety!"

"CHUM!!"

Rex agreed, "I'm on it!" These bunch are gonna pay for what they'd done to Niall. The Queen was still recovering from the selfless actions coming from her enemy state. Would he not have benefited if she dies here? But he'd chosen otherwise, to risked himself for them. She left the room, with her bodyguards, without a word. But his actions speaks more than any advantage to negotiate if the summit had been held.

Mòrag struggled to leave her brother alone; his blood felt cold, his body gradually losing warmth. Logic and emotions raced, to stay by his side, or kill every wretched rats that caused his brother's harm. Her logic finally overtook her emotions, as she softly put him down, dashed past Nia as if she didn't see her, and went after Dromarch and the others.

Nobody else except them, she could put down her resistance, went up and took him by her hands. Green healing ether released from her hands; she changed her clothing and makeups and whatnots, casting it at full strength. Life overflowed his body yet again, awakening his consciousness. He effetely turned to look at her, wondered, "You- are..."

"Shhh... You're gonna be fine..."

Zeke was especially not happy with Dromarch leading them up and down empty alleyways, accused him, "What d'you mean, imagined it?! You got us alllll in a proper tizzy!"

He stopped just behind the door entering the hanger, "My apologies... I thought I spied silhouettes... I did not mean to cause trouble." Mòrag was too deeply occupied, now that the enemies were all eradicated, by the loss of whom she'd grew up with, whom she cared and loved most. She fell into a silent depression.

It was Nia's shout that temporarily distracted her, "Heeeeeyyyyy!!!"

"Huh?"

She waved incessantly at them. "Heeeeeyyyy!!! You guys! His Majesty the Emperor is awake!" Niall still felt his heart hurt, his injuries were mostly healed, but there still was some small ones to patch up. He tried to stand up, supported by Nia.

"What?!" Mòrag eyes immediately fixated on the figure. Yes, he's moving, he really is moving!

"Can it be...?!" Brighid don't know what happened. Quickly, they dashed to his side; Mòrag took no questions, brought him within her arms, and squeezed tight. Yes, it's him all right. The warmth returned to him, oh dear, oh my God.

"Majesty?!"

"I apologize... for making you worry..."

"Majesty... It's... It's a miracle..."

Brighid shared, "When Aegaeon returned to his core, I was certain we had lost you..."

Nia mocked, "Honestly... you call yourselves soldiers?! First aid? Anyone heard of it?"

Mòrag rebutted, "But... his wounds..."

"Hmph! Just scratches!" Nia replied, as if it was something easy. "Pfft. Nothing me... and Dromarch- can't handle."

"You save..."

"Hmhmm!" The pride, yes, the pride!

"Thank you, Nia. I truly don't know how to... I will never be able to repay you, for what you..." Relieved. Gratitude. Grateful.

"Oh, don't sweat it. Let's just say you owe me one. That'll do fine, right?"

"Nia..."

Mòrag found him standing alone in his palace, so lonely. Aegaeon used to be by his side, accompanying him; but now, there was nobody left. The room was big, but it felt so empty. "You shouldn't be up. It's only been one day... Please don't strain yourself."

His lips went up a little; nice to have someone sincerely caring for him. He urged at the table, tried to laugh off all the hard work in life, "Half a day off, and look at all this- paperwork! I sweeear, it's like they don't want me to sleep at all!"

"Majesty..." But your health is more important...

He suddenly spoke seriously, "Special Inquisitor. I hereby issue you new orders. It is my wish- that you travel with the Aegis- as an emissary of the Empire. Guard her- and defend her against her enemies until she reaches Tantal."

"Guard... the Aegis?"

"I've already discussed it with His Eminence."

"Forgive me. Your Majesty, I cannot accept." Not while you need someone by your side. Not after Aegaeon had returned to his core. "Just think about what happened yesterday! It would be sheer foolishness for me to leave your side!"

"Is that so?" He questioned her assumptions.

"Huh?"

"I can see it in your eyes. It's clear that the Aegis... or rather, that boy, has made a great impression on you."

She tried to deny, or rather, she permit herself not, "That's not... I am your... Special Inquisitor. Ensuring Your Majesty's safety is my only concern. To abandon that duty and go traveling..."

He looked away at the table. Sensing his lost of attention, she followed glance, and only then did she saw the unlit crystal put beside the paperwork. "Is this... Aegaeon's?"

"A Driver who cannot even protect himself is no Driver at all. Yesterday's events... have made me... keenly aware- that I have no aptitude for it. It'll be of more use in your hands." He made up his mind.

"Majesty..." Then who's gonna protect you?

"The world- is changing, Mòrag. I trust you more than anyone- to lend that boy the wisdom and strength he will need."

"Urgh hurrrh..." She can't deny that.

"I miss it, you know. Lake Yewtle, in Gormott." He closed his eyes, as if traveled back into the past. The cool weather, the slightly cold water, the breezes that rustled the leaves, the scent of the flora, cool and refreshing.

She was taken aback, "What?"

"Remember when the two of us would shake off the servants... and go swimming there?"

"Ahhh... Yes. Of course." How long was that ago?

"Kids from the nearby village would come too. Good times." Oh, how they won't treat him as a higher up but just as equals, friends, playmates. He missed it. Yet before he's even grown up, he had been seated on the throne. Not what he wanted but...

"Majesty..." She felt relief. He was all right; he didn't delve into depression; he is still he, the young boy a few years ago. Her clutch on him loosen.

"If Mor Ardain... No, the whole of Alrest, could be like that again... Wouldn't it be beautiful?"

"Is that my newwww... duty, then?"

He looked at the emperor's seat, said, "In truth, it should have been you sitting in this chair right now..."

She denied, "The imperial line- has always passed from father to son. On the day Your Majesty was born, that's exactly what happened. I knew that day would come. It came as no surprise."

"You were raised... by my father to take the throne of the Empire. As befits the daughter of my Lord Uncle Eandraig."

"And I am grateful for it. If not for him, I would never have met Brighid. Never have met them. I'd have missed out on soooo much."

He struck out straight for it. "There! Those are your true feelings."

Oops! "Urgh!"

"A magnificent power- resides in you. Mòrag, power like yours exists to be used."

"Niall..."

"You've been tied down long enough." He shouted straight into her heart, "Follow your heart, Mòrag Ladair."

She'd been convinced, "I have no words. Thank you, Your Majesty." She closed her eyes for a moment to make up her mind, "Very well, then. I hereby- accept- the task you have assigned to me."

"That's the Mòrag I know and love. Make me proud."

Footnotes:

Tantal

Indol. Docking port. The Uraya and Mor Ardain ship had already left. Mòrag returned yet again from Mor Ardain and found that the ships taking the group to Tantal hadn't yet been readied. She explained why she returned and concluded, "So that's how it is. It seems our paths continue to entwine."

Rex was impressed, "That's awesome news! To be honest, I was really hoping there was some way you could... stick around. I was just thinking of asking you myself."

"Saved you the trouble, did I?"

"That you did! Thanks a bunch, Mòrag!" He held out his hand for her to shake. And she took it.

The Urayan ship was still on its way cruising home. Her 3 bodyguards gathered behind her at the front dock. The Queen was still puzzled, "I can't help but feel that in all the confusion surrounding Bana, our concerns... have been neatly swept aside."

One of her muscular bodyguards with glasses, green hair, and moustache all around his chin that stretches up to his ears commented, "The Praetorium maintains absolute control over Blade distribution. It is quite vexing..."

Another of her male bodyguard without glasses, wearing mermaid-like suits, added known info, "Awakening rates from natural cores are very low, which limits the pool of compatible Drivers."

The Queen summed up, "So, to create large numbers of Drivers, the cleansing Indol provides is a necessity. That much I am willing to accept. The real problem, is the fact that the Aegis has awakened. This is no time to be squabbling over territory. If we misread the situation eeeeven a little, Uraya itself could be sunk to the Cloud Sea's bed. Emperor Niall must surely be thinking the same thing! That's why he sent his precious Mòrag- to shepherd them along."

The first bodyguard added, "And now, we find ourselves in their debt..."

"Who could have predicted such an act of selflessness? Was it just the passion of youth, or was it...?" There could be a lot of things political, including fake acts of sincerity; but she can't read his mind. She can't conclude.

"M-my liege?"

"In any case, for now, we should keep our troops mobilized while we monitor the situation. I hardly expect Tantal will comply with the Praetor's plans so easily, either..."

The ship that're bringing them to their destination was powered by a small dragon Titan. He was busy daydreaming, looking out at the plain white on the side deck himself, when Zeke arrived and shot a question at him, "Say, chum. Which one d'you fancy, Pyra or Mythra?"

"Uhhhhh, Zeke! You can't just ask someone... Anyway, they're the same person! I've never really thought of them separately..."

"Are you serious? But they're like... totally different characters. Like, Mythra is- jolly intense. And Pyra is just totally mellow, or, I dunno... What's the opposite of- 'pushy'?"

"On the outside, maybe. But... Pyra's got a lot of backbone too. She can be pretty stubborn!"

Zeke was impressed that "You seem to understand them pretty deeply. Well, I suppose you ARE their Driver."

No topic went into their mind for the moment as they enjoyed the gentle sea breeze. It wasn't long before Rex came up with something to ask, "Hey!"

"Yeah?"

"You're a- prince- from Tantal, aren't you, Zeke? Why were you in the Praetorium?"

"I mean, you can't just ask someone..."

Pandoria couldn't keep quiet anymore when her Driver tried to reply the same as what Rex did to him earlier. She ripped his final loincloth off, revealing his secrets nakedly, "Oh, his old man kicked him out!"

He turned around hastily and shouted, "OI, no! Bad Blade, bad! How long have you been standing there?"

"From about... 'which one d'you fancy'..."{{footnote: And they didn't even heard her footsteps, nor see her from the side of their eyes? Wonderful!}}

"'Which one d'you fa...' That's the whole conversation!"

She disregarded that, turned to Rex and continued his story, "As I was saying, my Prince got disowned by his father. He spent all his time traveling the world for fun, instead of attending to his studies. Then BYEEEEE!!!"

Zeke rebutted, "It wasn't for fun! I was learning all about, uh, society and international relations!"

She laughed at that, "'IIIInternational relations,' that whatcha call it?"

"OI, CAN IT, YOU! What are you doing anyway, dissing your own Driver?!"

"HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! You guys crack me up!"

Pandoria turned a little serious, "I love him, really."

"Awwwww! Anyway, he sounds tough. Zeke's dad, I mean."

"Tantal is an isolationist society. Crossing its borders without leave is strictly forbidden. It's been that way for ages now."

"Ohhhhh, hmm..."

"But, you've seen how my Prince here is. Couldn't stop himself leaving a few times, so he got chewed out and disowned. Back when he was... fifteen or something?"

Zeke agreed, "YEAHHHHH, something like that."

"Then the Praetor himself found him half-dead on the ground one day, and took him in. He made up that 'special envoy' stuff." She loudly whispered to Rex.

Rex: "And that's... how you ended up in Indol. It all makes sense now! Oh but wait... Is it safe for you to go back to Tantal, then?"

Zeke guessed, "This time- we've got official business from the Praetorium! It'll be fine. Probably. Besides..."

"Yeah?"

"Tantal is too ignorant of the outside world. It needs a wake-up call."

Just then, a Praetorium worker approached them, specifically Zeke, announced, "Sire! We have reached the designated coordinates. Please."

"RIGHT! READY?"

Pandoria: "You betcha!"

Rex was confused, "Huh?"

"Shut up and sit down, chum. THIS'LL BE GREAT!"

The group gathered at the front deck, and Pandoria at the edge of the hull. Her core crystal pointed below the cloud sea, shone a beam that strike deep down. A tornado started forming, slowly but surely. Something was surfacing.

Tantal. Inside the Palace's central hall where visitors shall meet the king. The central hall looked old, with various buildings dating perhaps millennium. Flames within cage provided minimum warmth in the Castle. Ether flowed through the pillars, strengthening them, or for other reasons. As the floor shook, someone approached the king, whom was seated on his stone chair, "My lord. Genbu has begun surfacing."

He replied weakly, "I am aware. It's Pandoria."

"Then the Prince..."

"Yes."

"We have received reports... that he made contact with the Aegis in Indol."

"So after 500 years, he makes his move... Praetor Amalthus."

"My Lord?"

"We must act. To protect our days of peace. Even if they are a dream- that cannot last..."

Genbu jumped out of the water; an awestruck moment. Their ship was a mere dot compared to it. Nia was overwhelmed, exclaimed, "Whoa... It's just like a bigger version of Turters..."

Zeke was playing with Turters on his palm while explaining, "It's called- Genbu{{footnote: 玄武 is both the Chinese character and the Japanese kanji for it.}}. It's the same, like, Titan-type of Uraya. Normally, it's submerged in the Cloud Sea."

Pandoria added, "Even in early fall, it can get pretty cold inside Tantal. Mind you don't freeze!"

Nia could already imagined how uncomfortable her journey would be, "Brrrr.... I really can't stand the cold..."

Brighid lit a blue flame in her palm, offered, "I can provide my own warmth. You can stay close to me if you like."

"Me as well." And Pyra replaced Mythra, lighting her flames.

Nia was impressed, "You guys are pretty handy to have around."

"Well it is our trademark, right?" she eyed Brighid.

Brighid agreed, "Essentially."

Nia turned to look at Zeke. Still wearing his thin shirt that show his bare naked chest, wondered, "Aren't you gonna be cold like that, Shellhead?"

"I'm used to it! I'll be dandy."

Pandoria revealed, "He's naturally dense. It's good insulation."

Rex and Nia checked out his giant chest and 6 packs, agreed in unison{{footnote: Actually, a little bit out of unison but let's not dwell on that.}}, "Oh, makes sense!"

Zeke fired back, "Stop encouraging her, gang of bullies!" Meanwhile, the ship slowly cruised towards Genbu as it awaited its Prince's return.

Everlasting snow piled thick on the mountainous interior of Genbu. Blizzard would appear the next day if it don't today. Only trees capable of retaining liquid water in their trunks survived the freeze. Ice acted as a layer of protection to the cliff walls. An old-looking building, powered by ether along its veins, stay preserved from freezing erosion. Only the blood of its royal family can open the insignia that sealed the door to its relatively empty interior. This, is the Kingdom of Tantal.

The travel would be eventless if not for Nia hugging Pyra's whole arms like a bolster as she dragged her along. Pyra was growing more and more uncomfortable until she mustered the courage to politely asked, "H-hey, Nia... Do you, um, mind...?"

She already knew why, "Heheh, c'moooon, it's not so bad. You're just so warm, I can't help it!" She rubbed against her arms a little, just a little, to produce more warmth. But she dropped it thereafter, getting enough warmth (and satisfaction) she needed.

Gramps explained the physics, "It's a function of what's known as 'infrared radiation'."

"Gramps knows everything."

Pyra innocently exclaimed, "I'm... not your personal heater, you know..."

"M-my lady... If you desire warmth, why not take some from me? Miss Pyra seems to be in some distress..." offered Dromarch.

Nia didn't even consider it a viable alternative, rejected it immediately, "No way! Your fur is all stiff and spiky with the cold, it'd be murder on my sensitive skin."

"But, my lady..." Oh, how awful...

Just when she looked around, something else on the wall attracted her attention, and she changed the topic, "Hey, is it just me, or are the ether lines really dim?"

Poppi's curiosity shot up immediately, asked, "What is meaning of- 'ether lines'?"

"Y'know, those things, the glowing threads that run inside a Titan."

Dromarch explained, "That is the glow... of pure ether coursing through the Titan's body. You can compare it to the bloodstream- of a human."

Zeke praised, "You've got good eyes! Genbu has- pretty- bad- circulation, compared to other Titans. They say, it's why we have a cold climate, and awful crops."

Rex concluded, "So it's... cold-blooded?"

"Heh! Call it what you like."

They stood before the bridge that led to the entrance of Theosoir, the city of Tantal. 2 soldiers stood on each side of the entrance to the bridge, despite they didn't expect visitors. Perhaps there were, even if the country's closed to outsiders? Or perhaps the monsters do visit them?

Mòrag was impressed, "Oh, my... This- is the very picture of the ancient civilizations I've read about!"

Zeke expanded on it, "It's a pretty classic look. You know the old land of Torna? They had a proud and noble civilization, rivaled only by Judicium at the time. But, whereas Judicium- were the masters of- biological- arts, Tornans knew all there was to know about engineering. The proud blood of Torna- runs in the veins of us Tantalese."

Dromarch added, "As there are people to pass it on to, civilization will endure. Knowledge is inherited, much like life itself."

His driver was impressed, "Nice quote! You should write that down."

"Thank you."

Zeke: "It's not that simple, though."

Rex wondered, "Huh?"

He's not explaining, "You'll see..."

Immediately entering the city, a square at the center with bazaar and shops. Giant bowl supply fuel for the flames that lit the dark world, and provide barely enough heat from afar. Commerce seemed similar to ancient Arab market civilization, decorating their entity with beautiful rugs where they welcomed their customers, their produce piled in sacks within the three-legged tent. Pillars around the square with ether gathered at their tip, arranged like Stonehenge around the circumference, directed towards a center obelisk. Along the top of the central obelisk, ether drained from the bottom shot a beam high up into the air.

Nia's first impression of the market, "Whoaaaa, that's a pretty lively market."

Zeke quietly introduced, "It's the black market."

"Black- market?"{{footnote: Why, does the black market can be put up in the open? We'll see later.}}

"Tantal is so cold, there's precious little in the way of local produce to sell. Just look. All the regular shops are shuttered." He ushered to the proper stone buildings rented out; but they were uninhabited. The doors and shopping windows were closed down with wooden planks nailed in.

"You're right, they're mostly empty." Rex agreed.

"Instead, folks pay ungodly prices... for produce that's been smuggled in from other nations. And since it's the only thing keeping people from actually starving, the bigwigs just turn a blind eye."

Brighid questioned, "So, most of the agricultural production is wasted just surviving, and the country grows weak..."

"Exactly."

Mòrag concluded, "So even the wisdom of a proud ancient civilization... cannot solve all problems..."

"Ancient civilization sounds- good and all... But basically, this place is a giant museum, with no tourists. That's not gonna feed anyone." He led on their journey.

Up the stairs just behind the square, the path led towards Theoscaldia palace. The servant of the royal family that earlier spoke to the king was waiting for them. "We have been expecting you, Your Highness."

"Yeah, yeah. Good to see ya. Is the old man inside?"

"Indeed. He has been eagerly awaiting your return."

"HAH! Now I know you're lying. Armus will fly before that man welcomes me home. No need to coddle me, mate."

"Apologies."

"Any case, seems he knows we're coming, that'll save time." The servant therefore turned around and led the way.

Mòrag looked around as she walked, noticed one of the pillars with ether at their tip. The ether that gathered within was so intense, locked inside the cogwheels. Reading a lot, she thought she saw it somewhere, though the shape were slightly different, "Could it be..."

Brighid wondered why she's immobilized. "Are you all right?"

"Yes." She need to do something about it, just in case. By herself, that's not enough, she thought; so when Tora and Poppi caught up with them, Mòrag turned and quietly called out, "Tora..." She bent down and discussed whatever they were speaking; only those 4 knew whatever.

After she finished, Tora don't understand, "Uh... but why? It true Poppi able to produce own reserves of ether energy, but..."

"I'll explain later. For now, just do as I ask."

"All right then. Leave it to Tora!"

The door opened and they walked into the room. Mòrag and Brighid took the lead, their eyes fixated straight and nowhere else. Unlike them, Rex, Pyra, and Nia were flabbergasted as they scanned the design of the ancient halls and ceilings. To both sides of the walkways, soldiers held up their spear with one end on the ground as they stood without a smile. Zeke and Pandoria were leaning on one of the short decorating pillars filled with ether fluid; he don't need to have an audience with the king. The servant returned and stood beside the king.

When she reached the front, she took off her hat and bowed before the king, knelt on one leg. The king listened as the servant quietly explained their identity, one by one. Where all the rest bowed, Pyra was slow to followed; and Rex was still looking at what all the others were doing before he followed. Forget about the potato (Tora): his legs are too short to bow unless he's willing to kiss the floor all the way down.

The servant came down and Rex took out the official scripts from Amalthus and handed it to him with both hands. The servant snatched it with one hand; Rex curiously raised his head as he tried to look at the king.

The king took it in his hand, but he didn't yet read it, first focused on Pyra, "The Aegis... I presume." He had his target. He heartlessly laid eyes on the manuscript, scanning 10 lines at a time. When he finished, as he'd expected, or rather, he'd already know what he wanted to do before reading it, he had no need for such instructions, and he tore it away, shredded it into pieces.

"Uh?" The group don't understand why did he do that. Zeke was feeling very angry at his old man's action, "HUH!!!" The soldiers received their call and surrounded the group.

"Guards?! MY LADY!" The group stood up in a circle, back to back, prepared for whatever to come.

Tora felt scared, "Meh meeeehhh??"

Nia: "Wh-what the hell is going on? Shellhead?!"

One of the guard hugged him and Pandoria. He was struggling to free himself from his grip. "N-no idea! Stop this at once! DAD!!!" He shoved the soldier aside and shouted at his old man.

The old man raised his hand. A fork on the ceiling gathered electricity and strike right at Pyra, "AAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!"

"GRRRRRAAAAAHHHHHH!!!" Rex felt the pain she felt.

Nia: "Rex!"

Then, a prison dropped from above and imprisoned her, tied her hands to the side and her legs together. With her losing consciousness, the prison floated up, floated behind the king, and went out of their sight.

"Pyra!" Rex stumbled as he tried to reach for her. The guards blocked his way, rounded their spears and pinned his neck to the ground. All the time his eyes was fixated on Pyra. "Le-Let her go! Pyra! PYYYYYRAAAAAA!!!"

Zeke went in front of Rex and shouted at the king, "STOP THIS MADNESS!!! WHAT'S GOING ON?!!!! REX and his lot HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING!!!"

The king had now an obligation to explain to his son, stood up from his seat and said, "We cannot afford to wait until they doooooo, Zeke. The world must not be allowed to burn. The Aegis must be destroyed!"

Nia: "Oh, no, you don't. Dromarch, let's get Rex outta there!"

"Roger!" They dashed towards the soldiers; swinging her rings, ether on the surface were sucked away, and the final touch, the guard easily blocked it.

Nia was surprised, "The ether energy! ARRRRGGGHHH!!!" The soldier took the chance and lanced at her, felling her.

"My lady! AURGHHH!!!" The pillar of lightning strike once more and disabled Dromarch.

The king instructed, "Please, do not resist. My goal is only... to destroy the Aegis. I have no wish to take your lives also."

Mòrag was calm despite all calamity, put back her cap and said seriously, "King Eulogimenos. I stand before you, as a special envoy of Mor Ardain. The Emperor sent me here himself. Do you realize what you are doing?"

"I am quite aware. And prepared to face the consequences."

"Prepared...?" So this had all been planned. She got what she needed.

The soldiers had already pressed them to their cells. The soldiers left the room, leaving the space for the king, the servant, Zeke, and Pandoria. Zeke couldn't help them yet, but he wanted to know "WHY? WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BUMP PYRA OFF?"

"I see you speak like a commoner."

"WHAT'S THAT GOT TO DO WITH ANYTHING? DON'T CHANGE THE SUBJECT!"

"What if I told you I act for justice?"

His eyes squinted, "What are you trying to say?"

"You could say... I'm doing this for Alrest."

"Say WHAT NOW?"

"Follow me."

Zeke found himself inside a room carpeted with those Arab rugs the merchants used earlier. Piles and piles of crates and barrels, and some vases and jars and paintings and scrolls and jewelries, piled on top of one another. All had the imprints of the Royal family sigil on them. But, there's something wrong with the sigils... They looked... different. Well at least, not all of them looked the same.

The king stood beside him, waiting for Zeke to take in the shocking info, "Th-this is..."

"This is... the legacy of our royal line."

"You can't be serious..." His rage flood his chest. The more he tried to suppress, the more he felt inflamed. "WHY??? FATHER, WHY?!!!"

His old man dropped his head in slight guilt. What dad would have disappoint their son? What dad acts as anti-role-model for their son?

Footnotes:

Escaping

The few-inches-thick metallic high-tech prison door was lined with many blue squares. Ether flowed in tanks surrounding the prison, drawn from elsewhere, and transferred their energy to the door. However hard Rex tried swinging his sword at it, it just wouldn't budge. A membrane on its surface prevented the sword from even touching the door, deflecting him with every yield. Yet he wouldn't stop trying, not until he rescued Pyra. Nia folded her arms and watched; was there any use?

"UKH!!!"

Each time he knocked, the observing Dromarch got more information, and the puzzle fits together as he explained, "It appears the flow of ether energy is being blocked off."

"DAMMIT!!!" He sheathed his sword, seeing his action caused no avail, worriedly voiced, "While we're doing this, Pyra is...! We have to do something!"

Gramps consoled, "There is no point, Rex. You're just wasting your strength."

Dromarch continued his observations, "Both the walls and floor are built to withstand great force. We- cannot make a dent in them."

Nia urged, "Let's calm down a bit, Rex. If we think calmly, we'll come up with something! Grr!" She turned to the other 4, gathered around the corner, as if they weren't the ones being captured, shouted at them, "Hey, you lot! Can you try to help us out here?!"

Mòrag: "Your efforts are pointless. The way they built this place... It's essentially- one- giant- stasis- web."

That reminded her, "Stasis web? Like those nets you used in Torigoth?"

She nodded. "To lock Drivers up together with their Blades, and even leave us our weapons, they must have the utmost confidence. Perhaps... we could break through, given enough time... But by then it will be too late, and the Aegis will be disposed of."

"'Disposed of'...?" She jumped on her feet, "That's all the more reason you should give us a bloody hand!"

She shook her head, "I said it's pointless."

"Pfft!"

"We won't get anywhere... with brute force, that is."

Her eyes widened. "Huh?" She watched the grin growing on Mòrag's face.

Zeke and Pandoria was at the top of the castle, overlooking the square alone. From what his dad revealed earlier, the more he thought about it, how darkness casted the nation's fate, ruled by such dark royal family. The whole nation felt like a liar, a cheat. And the poor people out there don't even know a thing, yet they suffered this fate for the last 500 years while they feasted away their produce! But no, he's not ready to give up. There should be a way...

"So what now, my Prince?"

"This pisses me right off..."

"Um, say what?"

"I said, I'm pissed off! Doing it for the world, my arse. How self-serving can you get...?"

"How d'you mean?"

"This country's strangling itself to death with ITS OWN WEB OF LIES AND EXCUSES!!! But just maybe... our chum could break it free..."

"Rex could?"

"No faith, eh?"

"Hey, whatever. If you believe in him, my Prince, I'm with you all the way."

"That kid's heart is pure. Too pure for his own good, sometimes. But isn't it our duty as adults to give him a little help with that?"

"Pro-bably... You know, this is what I like about you."

He appreciated the help, but "This won't be easy..."

"Oh, quit it with your drama! When is anything ever easy for you?"

"HAH! Heh. Let's go!" And they headed back into the castle.

Back in the cell, Tora and Mòrag were meddling with Poppi while the others watched. Mòrag made the call, "OK, that should do it."

Tora: "Preparations complete!"

Rex wondered, "What's going on? Tora?"

Time to show off. He started slow, "Ohoho! Both Drivers and Blades, use- ether energy to deploy Arts, yes?"

Nia urged impatiently, "You can skip the lecture, Tora. Everyone knows that."

"But right now, friends cannot, yes?" He wasn't keen on skipping and fast-forwarding -- the punch line must be best.

Rex agreed, "Yeah, there's something about this room..."

"Ohohoho! But Rex-Rex and friends forgetting one- very important thing!"

Nia lost her patience, "Hurry up, would you? Just spit it out, furball!"

"Could be- friends forgetting, Poppi is artificial Blade?"

Rex don't understand, "Why would we forget that? She's been with us all this time... Wait! I get it! Her ether furnace!"

Poppi nodded, "Rex correct. Thanks to friend Mòrag, Poppi now able to generate own supply of ether energy. Nothing barrier can do anything about."

He finally blurted out, "Tora transfer crystal from sword of Mòrag- to Biter- of- Poppi. That crystal have enough energy stored for one use of Arts. And Biter of Poppi use Earth element. So, through synergy with Fire element of Mòrag, power of Arts is amplified!"

Mòrag added, "If we hit it straight on, I doubt the door can withstand that."

Nia was confused, "Wait a minute, you stored energy in that crystal? How is that possible with a barrier?"

The wise Dromarch already got his eureka moments, "AHA!!! Lady Mòrag has not used a single Art since we arrived in this place!"

"Whuh?"

"I had my suspicions- ever since we entered the palace. So- I secretly asked Tora to refrain from using any Arts either."

Tora now felt so clever, "OHOHOHOH!!!"

Gramps: "I see now. If our enemies knew Poppi retains her power inside the barrier, they would keep us on a tighter leash."

Mòrag: "Exactly. Here goes. Step back."

Poppi walked forward to prepare herself when Rex shouted at them, "HOLD UP! If you transfer the crystal from the sword, what will you fight with?"

She looked at him like looking at an idiot, "I can generate a new one from Brighid's core! Pfft! Don't tell me... you didn't know about that."

His eyes widened with curiosity, "What..."

Nia was impressed, "Seriously? You don't even know how Blade weapons work? Give me a break."

"How... would I know something like that?! I've never... lost or broken my weapon!"{{footnote: No he did, when Jin slashed it; but alas, he was dead before the sword was broken, and he was revived after the sword recovered, so he didn't know.}}

Brighid: "Then I suppose I cannot blame you."

Mòrag: "Moving along, then... Tora, Poppi, please?"

"With pleasure!"

"Poppi power!" His biter activated as the hatch opened up. "Jet Biter!" The bomb stored within launched itself straight at the door. Flame and smoke engulfed the door, and the door slammed against the outside wall. Everyone's smile tightened as they saw hope returning to their side.

Tora: "We- did it!"

Poppi: "We the best!"

Gramps warned, "You made quite some noise, too. It won't be long before the guards arrive!"

Rex: "Good point!"

Dromarch suggested their next step, "Lady Pyra was taken below. Mayhap... somewhere beneath the palace?"

"Got it!"

On their way to where they think Pyra was, encounters with guards were inevitable. At one such hall, both sides were about to start battling when the Ultimate Lightning Fury Slash fell the soldiers. Rex eyes widened, and his lips jutted up, as he saw the two. "Zeke! Pandoria!"

They were surprised, "Oh, what? We came all this way to bust you out! How inconsiderate!" that you got out yourself before we save you!

"You kept us waiting! Won't you... get in trouble- for helping us?"

"Ahhhh, I'm the prodigal son anyhow. It can't get any worse."

"Where's Pyra?"

Pandoria already mapped it out, "This way. Follow us."

On a hallway that bridged between two buildings, no guards were coming after them yet, nor blocking their way. Torches along the pillars lit their way. Rex suddenly dropped to the floor as he puffed softly, "Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow"

"You all right?" asked Zeke.

"I'm fine. It's just a scratch." He stood back up, to not kept them worried.

"Honestly, though, chum, are you ever NOT getting scratched up?"

"Ever since Pyra gave me half her life force, and we swore to reach Elysium, things have been rough. But..."

He recalled how, after escaping Torigoth, they bandaged up with the same wounds. Her scratches. Her eyes. Her emotions.

"I'm actually glad! They feel like a sign of... our bond, I guess? Something special we share, as Driver and Blade."

Zeke's irises tightened. Can't deny that, but... both of you feel hurt at the same time, though. To go through the pain together, when a Driver sought to protect his/her Blade? Perhaps it worked both ways.

"Urr... nghhhh..." She woke up from the devastating attack earlier. She looked around, wondered, "Where...?"

Mythra already observed earlier, answered her, "Strung up in some kind of restraint. Look ahead..."

"Uh!" She immediately noticed the ancient-built cannon, with its barrel split into half, and balls seeming uncharged facing each other within the walls of the barrel. "An ether accelerator. I've seen one like it before, in old Torna. it certainly seems like they want us gone for good... So... if we cranked up the output and really focused it, we could probably manage one strike."

"If the people here... really are the descendants of the Tornans, then I... have a message for them that I must pass on." Even if she's gonna die after that.

"In that case, I'll leave it to you."

"Thank you, Mythra."

"He's here." The king, accompanied by some soldiers, walked along the foot of the cannon. The disk it was supported on was surrounded by a moat of ether.

The king started with fake guilt, ended unwavering, "I apologize for this, noble Aegis. I have no personal grievance with you. However, for the sake of this world, you must be destroyed where you stand."

"Is that truly your desire, Your Majesty?" Pyra cried out.

"I believe you desired the same thing yourself, once. Is that not why you disappeared from history, along with Addam the hero?"

"'Ugh..." She can't deny.

The king ordered, "Begin." The soldiers nodded and went to the control panel. Energy was drawn in from its reserves; the mere heat released by the mechanism shone the room bright red. The balls within the barrel gathered flames that joined with the other side. Pyra watched it gathered energy in silence.

"PYRAAAAAAA!!!" Her eyes lit up when Rex's voiced echoed in the distance.

She had already prepared to die, but now she felt content. Even if he was late, at least, at least let me see him one more time. "Rex!"

Zeke introduced, "The ether accelerator."

Nia don't understand, "The what now?"

"It's a weapon from long ago... designed to use Genbu's ether energy for destruction. I never DREAMED they'd fully restore it... My old man... He's gonna use it to kill Pyra!" The king did noticed them; he stood back as the soldiers came for the group. "No matter how strong she is, there'd be no coming back from that!"

Rex: "In that case, we can't let him use it!" And they prepared for battle.

The time was nigh. The charging up was almost completed as the flames within the barrel grew brighter and brighter. Pyra looked depressed, abandoned all hope. Rex and the group were faced with waves and waves of soldiers, many against one. "Argh! There's too many of them!"

Zeke ushered, "Hurry, or Pyra's toast!"

"I know that! It's just..."

The king wept an insincere tear, "Forgive me." He raised his hand, and the soldier pulled down the handle.

"Dammit! Pyra!"

"I won't let you..!" He deftly evaded the soldiers, jumped in the air and aimed for the cannon, stuck his sword into the left barrel with his Ultimate Lightning Fury Slash. Alas, the electricity he released "IT'S NOT ENOUGH!!!"

Tora ordered, "Poppi! ACTIVATE QT MODE!!! LIFT UP FROM BELOW!!!"

"UNDERSTOOD, MASTERPON!!!" She flew in the air where the soldiers couldn't reach, swooshed along the circumference of the disk, and got below the end tip of the box below the barrel{{footnote: Look carefully, there's a box below the splitted-barrel. Unfortunately, because one don't know what's that for, one had no specifics to explain.}}. With full blast from the rocket blasters below her feet, she pushed and pushed and pushed.

"DO IT, POPPIIIIII!!!!!"

"HEEEEEEAAAAAAVVVVVEEEEEE!!!! HOOOOOOO!!!!" The angle of the cannon changed as it aimed for the ceiling, away from Pyra. The king could do nothing to stop it, while the soldiers by his side backed a few steps in case it toppled. Zeke pulled his sword away and jumped, while Pyra closed her eyes, just before the ether beam zwyrred through a convex lens on the ceiling to outside the castle. Where it shot, there was an even larger convex lens along the way, built on top of the mountains some distance outside the town, amplifying the beam. From an even outer view, on Genbu's head, it closed its eyes as the blindingly bright light shot through to the sky, like a beaming beacon that revealed its location to everyone else living in Alrest.

When the energy finished releasing, Poppi released her push and the cannon smashed back down on the disk, shaking it. The soldiers stopped fighting them, couldn't took their eyes off the nervous, or rather, excited, moments. Nia exclaimed, "It missed? They did it, Rex! They stopped it!" Only the king's gloomy outlook could explain how disappointed he felt.

Rex exclaimed, "Yeah!"

Zeke launched once more Ultimate Lightning Fury Slash and sliced through the chains that held Pyra. "HYAHHHHH!!!" The hero of the day, he was too handsomely showing off he couldn't catch Pyra dropping to the ground.

Rex went for his partner instead, took her in his arms, "PYRAAAAAA!!!" The rest gathered around to check her status. She opened her eyes and smiled at him, and he felt relief.

But they'd forgotten someone. "Five hundred years... For five hundred years, we Tantalese have concealed- the Omega Fetter... Do you know why?"

"Ummm..."

"Our old homeland, Torna, was destroyed, in the Aegis War. Our hero, Addam, also- failed- to return... You must understand, old Torna as a country was united around the Hero. But our ancestors, less so..."

Inside the room with the various possessions, Zeke questioned his dad, "What're you saying? That we're not Addam's bloodline?"

"Precisely. In Torna, our family were just a cadet branch. We only gained our current position in the confusion of the war's aftermath."

"But then, we're just a bunch of USERPERS!!!"

The king tightened his eyebrows, explained himself and his ancestors off, "They were desperate times. We had no choice! The nation must continue at all costs!"

"Even if it meant claiming Addam's name?"

"With its guiding force gone, much blood was spilled in Torna. We did what had to be done to reunite it under the new banner of Tantal..."

The story took so long that evening turned night. Mòrag commented, "Legends of the hero who saved the world, are deeply ingrained in people's hearts. And you used them for your own political agenda?"

"Even so, all was done in the name of saving the world from burning once more."

Zeke felt like vomiting hearing such excuses, spit out, "Don't you dare try and sugercoat it. Short story is, they saw an opportunity to gain influence, and they took it! Grrrrr!!!"

"That is the way of the world."

Brighid suspected that "Mor Ardain could easily take a similar path."

Mòrag agreed, "Yes. We are in no position to condemn them outright."

Nia wondered, "So did this Addam guy reaaaally never return?"

"Indeed. The records indicate- he went missing immediately- after sealing away the Aegis. It is likely he simply perished- during the journey home."

"He didn't just go missing." Pyra spoke out.

"What did you say, Aegis?"

"Addam... He had foreseen... everything. He knew what would happen to the people- after the kingdom fell. But... he chose not to return."

The king was surprised, "Addam left us of his own will? But why?"

Pyra removed her left earring and took it in her hands. Addam had left a holograph within it, a recorded message. "Hear me, my scions. I- am Addam- Origo. This day I seal the Aegis- away from the world. But this seal- is not for eternity. In anticipation- of the day that humanity becomes worthy of the Aegis's power, I entrust her to posterity. She is our hope. When mankind has matured, and learned to live better lives, she will answer your call, and return to you. Trusting that day will come, I leave my final wish to you..." At the end of the recording; she put it back on.

She continued, "Addam foresaw- much confusion and hardship in the world ahead. And when I seemed unsure, he told me something. 'This, is a Trial.'"

"Is me sleeping a part of the trial?" She felt so scared going in herself, into the dark nights, awake in her dreams that shall last for 500 years, alone.

"That's right. It's a trial for us humans. One we must overcome ourselves. If we cannot do that, we don't deserve to live alongside you."

The king got it, "Live alongside..."

"To be honest, I-I still don't fully understand what he meant by that. Whether he simply meant the coexistence of humans and Blades, or something more... But I think he made a- difficult choice. For the sake of everyone's survival."

While they were busy speaking, the ether flowing through the Castle got disturbed for a moment, and started turning red as they stopped flowing. The ground started shaking, attracting their attention. "Whoa!" Rex wondered what happened.

Looking out the window, large amount of ether started being drawn away from Genbu. The blizzard got worse. A soldier have reports, spoke quickly, "Your Majesty!"

"What is this?"

"It's Genbu! It's broken free of our control... and started to dive into the clouds!"

"What? Are you certain?!"

"Ungh!" Pandoria suddenly felt a jolt in her heart as she went to the floor.

"PANDY!!" He tried to assess her situation.

"Oh... oh, no..."

Dromarch wondered, "What exactly is happening?"

Zeke hypothesized, "Could it be... that blast?" Then he stood up.

Nia noted, "What is he..."

Zeke explained, "Tantal keeps Genbu under control using the Omega Fetter. But firing the ether accelerator... it could've created a counter-flow in Genbu's ether conduits, causing a critical overload."

Rex summed it up, "So Genbu's broken?"

Pandora shared as she panicked, "Oh no. My words can't reach him anymore. Genbu is just going to dive deeper and deeper... then..."

Zeke: "DUMB OLD- GIT!!! That's what happened when you use ANTIQUATED PARTS!!!" Just then, the Titan started shaking.

Rex remembered, "The Cloud Sea... has a similar density to water. As we dive, the pressure will keep building. By 500 peds, a human would be crushed completely..."

Dromarch added, "And all that force will weigh down on Genbu?"

Zeke was thinking for possible solution, asked the soldiers, "What's our depth now?"

Without the need to check, he sensed it, "Twenty-two hundred peds, Sir! We are diving at a rate of 120 peds per minute!"

"And Genbu's depth limit?"

"25,000, give or take..."

"That'd give us... just over 3 hours."

Nia was impressed, "Whoa, Shellhead. Good at maths!"

"Bite me." The floor continued shaking, telling them their time is nigh if they don't move now. Glass started to shatter as atmospheric pressure built up in compressed air. Ears starting to felt hurt. "This ain't good... Hey, chum. There's a pressure-resistant pod, in the palace's southern tower. You guys, at least, should get in and escape."

"What about you and everyone else?"

"Don't- worry about us."

"How can I possibly not worry about you?! Isn't there any other way? Some way to save everyone?!"

"Only Pandoria can tell Genbu what to do. If it won't budge for her, it's no use." She was on the floor, trying hard to communicate to no avail. "Apart from that, all we can do is try to evacuate as many people as we can... But with just three hours..."

Pyra recalled, "I think you mentioned before, you control Genbu using the Omega Fetter, right?"

"Uh, yeah, but-"

"Where is it?"

"Inside Genbu's head. It's straight south from the palace, through Genbu's spinal column."

"I will go." Rex watched as her stubbornness returned, replaced her constant desolation and constant lost of hope. In times of crisis, she is reliable.

"You'll go? Pyra, what are you-"

"The Omega Fetter- is originally Ophion's control core. And Ophion... is my Artifice. I can't be 100% sure, but I think I might be able to fix it."

Rex: "Pyra..."

"Pyra- being serious? They- try to kill Pyra one minute ago!" Tora can't understand why.

"That's a- totally- separate issue. Isn't that what you'd say, Rex?"

He supported his de facto partner, "Wha-? Oh, yeah. I guess it is."

"And that's why."

"Friend Pyra..." In that case, "Tora get it. Then Tora and Poppi ALSO LEND HELP!!!"

Nia don't see otherwise. "Looks like we're in too. Dromarch?"

"I would have it no other way."

"That's settled then. Stay out of our way, old man! Got it?"