While we were traveling through Fendel, Pascal got a letter from Poisson. Apparently she had asked if Fourier could fly our shuttle for us but she declined. She couldn't be bothered and wouldn't leave her lab. I noticed Pascal seemed worried. She hadn't looked as happy as her usual self since meeting back up with her sister and arguing. I decided it would be alright if I spoke with her, after all, I sort of knew what she was feeling.
"Pascal," I started "There is something ive been meaning to tell you."
"Yeah?" She tilted her head and replied. I looked around to see if others were nearby. I didn't want our conversation overheard in case of misunderstandings.
"Just because Fourier is angry, doesn't necessarily mean that you did anything wrong."
"Wait..." She hesitated "Are you consoling me?"
"Do not misunderstand my intentions, I simply wanted to point it out." I explained.
She looked down and shifted her feet, smiling slightly "Thanks for trying to console me!"
"I am not consoling you!"
"You totally are consoling me!" She laughed.
"Fine!" I yelled angry "Then I am done talking." I walked away towards the others. I wasn't trying to console her! I just wanted to point out a possible fact! Sure in a way I wanted her to feel better but it wasn't my initial intention!... I think. It isn't her fault that the outcomes of some of her experiments were better than her sisters.
I had become frustrated. Why did I even bother talking to her? What did i hope would come from it? Oh well. I had said my piece.
Once we got back to the seaside cavern, surprisingly Poisson was waiting for us. The Amarcian Overseer had requested she come down to offer her assistance. Quite convenient, if I do say so. Pascal happily told her that she could fly the shuttle for us. Now we didn't have to worry about going to Fodra without Pascal. Good thing too because I don't think we would fare well on another planet without her.
Asbel and I stood and watched for a while as Pascal showed Poisson how to fly the shuttle. Maybe it wasn't hard after all... or maybe only Amarcians could fly it? It had me wondering. Suddenly Asbel looked around and realized that Cheria disappeared and decided to go look for her. It wasn't very bright of Cheria to wonder off. What if Richards monsters attacked her while she was alone? Did she even think of this at all?! I shook my head and sighed to myself. Maybe I was the only logical person here. With that, I continued to watch Pascal work.
Soon Asbel and Cheria arrived back at the shuttle to join us. About time too, I was half thinking of going to look for them if they took much longer. Pascal was finished showing Poisson the mechanics of the shuttle and was ready for us to leave.
"Okay kids! Hop on!" Pascal shouted "Lets go! No pushing now, plenty of room for everyone!"
How absurd. Did she really think we were childish enough to start shoving others around just to get in the shuttle first? Although I admit, I did want to see the shuttle on the inside but not enough to start physically handling people.
Then we started to hear a commotion outside. It sounded like Richards monsters had found us. However, the launch procedure was already well underway and no way of stopping it. We needed to get rid of these monsters fast. We ran outside and found a swarm waiting for us. We fought many of them but more just kept coming. Just as I started to think that there was no end, Bailey and the other Lhant soldiers arrived to help us. They assured us that they would take care of the situation and we thanked them and rushed into the shuttle. Before I had any time to look around, Poisson started to count down the last minute. I had no time. I sat in the closest seat too me and waited for lift off. I was feeling anxious. What if the shuttle didn't work? What if even when we reached Fodra, we weren't able to save Sophie? I know we could trust Pascal and her judgement but I couldn't help but worry.
As soon as Poisson reached zero, I felt the shuttle start to violently shake and bolt forward. In front of us, I could see more monsters swarming but before I could even begin to worry, I could see Fourier and her chimera had it under control. I looked over towards Pascal. She was smiling "She came all this way, just to help us". I think this finally put her heart at ease. No matter what comes between siblings, they will always care. Its something I've learned on this journey.
The shuttle flew into the air. I could see the lights from the heat ray cannons making a whole in the aquasphere. It was amazing. Did this technology always exist? The moment we passed through the aquasphere, i could feel us being dragged towards Fodra. The gravitational pull was amazing! The landing was much less so. The pull was too much for our ship and we crash landed, throwing us from our seats. We all got up and went outside to see the much awaited Fodra... but all there was, was a barren wasteland. Very disappointing. How did anyone ever even live on this planet? Malik pointed out that it looked like a great battle had been fought here. Maybe everyone was dead? I certainly don't see how anyone could live here. There wasn't even any plants! I was starting to lose hope. Then a more immediate fear came to. Our ship had crashed. How would we even get back to our home?! Pascal wasn't too worried though. "We can just add fixing the shuttle to our to-do list!" she motioned. I wish I could be that care free but there wasn't much we could do currently. I sighed and we briefly looked around. Not much to see.
"Look over there!" I heard Malik shout. I ran over, as did the rest of them. It seems there was some sort of floating city nearby. Hopefully it would have people or at least machines for Pascal to tinker with and find an answer to curing Sophie.
After a few minutes of walking, we reached what looked to be a warp pad just like at the Amarcian Enclave. We warped through and found ourselves in the city. It looked quiet similar to the Amarcian Enclave as well. Pascal had mentioned earlier that through her research she thought maybe the Amarcian's originally came from Fodra. From what I could see here, her theory wasn't too far off. As we looked around, we found someone laying on the floor. The resemblance to Sophie was uncanny. Maybe Sophie really did come from here. Then something I had never seen happened. Pascal went to touch the girl and see if she was alive... and the girl dissipated! How can people just evaporate into thin air?! I knew Sophie was special and probably not human herself but this was defying all I ever knew. I could hear something behind us and turned around. Another child ran away. Clearly someone was living here. We needed to find them fast and start asking questions. This place was giving me a discomforting feeling.
Heading in the direction they ran, we found an elevator and took it up. This looked a bit more residential than the earlier level. We then saw the child running into a house and made chase. Upon entering the house we saw many more machines and something startling. Inside one of the machines looked to be a... woman!
Cheria ran up and examined the woman "She's not breathing and she has no pulse... but I don't think she's dead..."
No sooner had she said that, the machine started rumbling and the woman awoke. She got up and walked towards the child "Did you bring these people here, Psi?" she asked him. The boy nodded. Somehow I don't think these people are human either. The boy looked like he had metal attached to his head and how could this woman be alive if she had no pulse or need breathing? "And who might you all be?" She asked looking towards us.
After introducing ourselves, we explained that we flew here on Pascals shuttle.
"From a different world? Does that mean you are all from Ephinea?" That was apparently their name for our home world. "My name is Emeraude. Sorry for not making introductions sooner." She then explained that she lived here on Fodra and had been asleep for over a thousand years to wait out the war that had been going on. Indeed she couldn't possibly be human. We then showed her to Sophie. She verified what Richard had said earlier that she was called Protos Heist. Sophie was an artificial humanoid soldier created by scientists from this world. Amazing. This explained everything now. Her dying but coming back. Her not aging. Her powers. Emeraude explained that Sophie was malfunctioning and could possibly be repaired if we brought her to their research center but it was going to be dangerous. If we decided to go, she would come with us so that she could operate the machine needed to heal Sophie. Of course the danger didn't matter. We were already risking our lives coming here so going to this research center was something we had to do. The woman agreed and sent her friend, Psi, to repair our ship. They must also be humanoids.
However, before going to this research center we decided it was a good idea to rest up. I didn't like the idea of sleeping in this disquieting place however I didn't have much of a choice. My body did need to sleep if I was going to function correctly. Asbel and I found what looked to be an abandoned house and made it our Inn for the night. After a couple hours of tossing and turning I figured maybe a walk might help me calm down a bit. It might sound a childish but this place just gave me the creeps. The lack of humans or even animals wasn't right. I decided to go to the machine Pascal and I had found earlier. The sound of it clicking reminded me of a clock. Maybe it was once used as one or even a calendar of sorts? It really could be just decoration for all I know. I laughed inside. What was I doing? Then I heard moaning and turned around. Pascal was asleep on a table. Out of all the places to sleep, she decided to sleep HERE? I give up on this girl.
"Get up Pascal, You're going to catch a cold if you sleep here" I called to her. However it didn't seem to wake her. She was dreaming. "Pascal?!"
"Big... Sis..." She continued to moan in her sleep. Upon looking closer i could see her cheeks were wet. The dream she was having couldn't have been pleasant. She'd been crying. I felt my heart sink a little. I thought I already spoke to her about her sister? None of this was her fault. Fourier was just jealous of her younger sisters talent. Maybe my talk with her wasn't enough to quell the sadness in her heart. Pascal never mentioned parents so Fourier was probably the only family she had left.
Suddenly Pascal awoke sneezing. She sprayed it everywhere. It was disgusting!
"Ugh, if your going to sneeze everywhere at least cover your mouth!" I scolded.
She sat up and shifted herself towards me "Huh? Oh hey Little Bro" she said a little disoriented then sneezed again "Ah man, I think I have a cold."
Well of course you have a cold! Your sleeping outside on a table! As genius as you are when it comes to machines, how can you be so dense?! It's almost astounding.
She then gave me a confused smile "I just had this crazy dream where my sister threw me in a stewpot with a bunch of vegetables or whatever... It was really chilly when I got out of the pot and on to a plate." She started sniffling. "Maybe that's why I'm sick?"
"...Is that why you were crying?" I asked. I wasn't sure if I should be prying but I had witnessed it. Maybe this time i should try to console her...
"Huh? I was crying?" She put her right hand to her cheek and touched "Oh, Hey. I have been crying, huh?" Pascal began rubbing her eyes "Ha ha! How silly.."
"Pascal..." I hesitated. She was clearly avoiding telling me something. Maybe I shouldn't pry after all..
She then stood up and jumped off the table. "My sisters amazing, you know? She kept up with her studies even though she took care of me when I was little. That was the only reason I was able to dive into my research like i did..." She began. "And nothings changed. We wouldn't have made it here if it wasn't for her. I'll always be in her debt." I was surprise Pascal decided to open up to me. I suppose we were friends now... in a way, so it was normal to confide in me.
"Maybe you should tell her that when we return." I suggested.
"I'spose" It seemed she was starting to cheer up "Yeah, alright. We're gonna make it outta here and get back to my sister!" She started to jump up and down playfully "Come on Little Bro! Time's wasting!"
I put my hand to my forehead and watched her run off. Honestly, why did she have to call me that? I had told her many times that my name was Hubert. Was it so hard to call me by my name?! Its bad enough that I was compared to my brother growing up, I don't need her doing it as well. What does it matter if im his younger brother? Yes, I suppose she knew him before me but I don't find that a good enough reason to call me 'Little Bro'! I'm a grown man, for goodness sake! Sigh... Well... at least she's feeling better. It's about time I go back to sleep as well.
I walked back to the room where my brother was still asleep. Sometimes it seemed like maybe our roles should have been reversed. I was much more responsible than him and probably worried ten times more. I always seemed like the older one and here I am... watching him sleep while I console his friends. It made me laugh a little. I don't think I ever cheered someone up before... or even tried to since I was younger. Maybe I was reverting a little back to my old self again.
The next morning we all headed out with Emeraude to the research center. While walking there she explained to us the difference in humanoid models and that Sophie was the only one of her kind. The Humanoid research center was much bigger then I had imagined. There were many levels and many rooms and unfortunately all was infested with vicious monsters, just like Emeraude had warned us. Even more unfortunate was some of the elevators and doors had stopped working and we needed to find parts inside the center to replace them. Such a bothersome task. We split up in search for these parts. I was stuck with Pascal as my search partner. Although... saying stuck would seem like it was a bad thing. Honestly, it was actually fortunate that I was paired with her as she might actually know what we were looking for. We entered a room with a bunch of machines. I found it fascinating that after all these years some of them were still functioning perfectly without anyone to operate or maintain them. On a side note, maybe I should also use this time to open myself up a little to Pascal to return the favor.
"This unit looks like it's still functional" I inquired as i picked up a little machine. I knew this would catch her attention.
"Ooohh lemme see!" She shouted as she ran towards me. Pascal is quite simple. "Yep, it's still ticking! You know a lot about these things, Little Bro?"
I explained to her that I had studied extensively in military school and that I aimed to be number one in my class. As was expected of me.
"Is that 'cause you had to represent for the glasses wearing crowd?" ...What? How would she come to that conclusion or was she just joking?
"Are you seriously making jokes about my eye wear?... No it's because I considered being anything other than number one utterly meaningless. Although... when I think about it now, its kind of funny."
"What is?" She asked, scratching her leg with her foot. Something I noticed she did quite often when thinking.
"At first I worked hard to please my adoptive father, later it was to get back at Lhant." I explained.
"Because they sent you off to be adopted?"
"Exactly. I struggled to accept the truth of my adoption at first, but once I did I was furious at Lhant... and my father. They were all I could think about."
Pascal laughed "It's like they say, mother in the necessity of invention!"
Again I wasn't sure if she was following what I was trying to get at. Here I am, trying to open up to her and all she can do is crack jokes and make silly comments... What an insufferable woman... "Um...yes, but I'm not quite sure that applies here" I responded "Although I'll admit to being quite shocked when I came back to Lhant.
"How come?"
"Once I came into power I saw just how difficult my fathers job really was. Lhant's political position has always been quite precarious, after all."
"So why didn't you quit?"
Maybe she was paying attention after all... "Honestly, I don't know. I guess I wanted to prove to the world that I could do the job."
"So you could have revenge and stuff?"
I shook my head "No, I don't think that was it... And I don't think it was because Lhant was my hometown or that it was an important strategic point for Strahta." I sighed halfheartedly "I think I was just testing my own heart."
"Hmm... maybe it was something even more basic than that!" Pascal suggested.
"Like what?" I asked. What could she be getting at?
"Pfft! I can tell you! That would totally ruin it!" She scoffed.
"Why's that?!" I was taken back.
Pascal laughed "You'll understand in time, don't worry about it!"
"If you say so..." was all I could respond. I'm fully aware of our age difference but I don't feel it was quite broad enough for her to act all high and mighty. I guess this is what I get for trying to open up to her about my past and feelings. I'm not sure what I thought sharing this would get me, either. "Lets just get back to the group..."
"Y'okay!" She said excitedly.
Why did I even feel the need to tell her this? I never felt the need to open up to someone before. Not even my own brother, Asbel, knew these feelings... I suppose the excuse I'll use is just to pay her back for her sharing her feels about her sister to me but somehow I'm starting to think its more than just that...
We headed back to the group who ironically found more than we did. We did waste our time talking, though. I guess I can't complain.
After a few hours of us activating machines and going through rooms and floors we happened upon an interesting room that was apparently similar to a machine Asbel and the others found back in our world. Emeraude explained that this device was used to preserve virtual recordings of their research targets. We decided now would be a good time to inquire Emeraude about what, or who Lambda was.
Lambda was a life form they discovered by accident while researching their Lastalia. It has an ability to hatch monsters from its body. These were the monsters wrecking havoc in our world and, in the past, lead Fodra to its destruction. I would hate to think that our world might eventually become a deserted wasteland like this one. And it will if we don't take care of this Lambda soon. The situation in Fodras past is currently our present. Emeraude continued to explain that Sophie was created specifically to defeat Lambda which is why she came to our world. Sophie was our only hope in defeating this creature who had managed to inhabit Richard and was destroying our world... just as it had done once before here. Did we even stand a chance? Now wasn't the time to debate this. We needed to find the machine to fix Sophie so we could leave here and finish our mission in saving our world!
Many more hours passed until we finally found the room we needed. We brought Sophie over to the examination table and laid her down. There, Emeraude started activate the machine. I ended up witnessing something horrible. Sophie moaned in pain and jerked around. Why did she have to suffer like this? Emeraude kept insisting that she was in no such pain but the look on her face was clear. No one, not even a humanoid could imitate such a face so perfectly without feeling it. Then something miraculous happened. Memory particles left Sophie's body and formed into... us. She was showing us her memories and what she thought of us. The particles played us past instances in which Sophie held dear, including when she met me again after 7 years. I had no idea I made such an impact in her life. It made me happy.
The last memory Sophie showed us was of Lambda's true form. An unsightly hideous creature that was... strangely familiar. It was the monster that attacked us 7 years ago! Sophie showed us through this play of her particles that her one true goal was to defeat this creature. Once the play was done, she awoke from the treatment and was no longer in pain. The only issue that remained was she still wasn't too sure of her past. Emeraude insisted we go back to the records room we were in previously so that way Sophie could regain her memory.
The walk back to the records room was a little easier now that we had defeated a lot of the creatures that plagued the area. Emeraude brought Sophie to the recording platform and activated the machine. This helped Sophie remembered everything she needed to. Unfortunately... it changed her personality as well. She became hell-bent on completing her task to destroy Lambda, even if it meant taking her own life. Why did she think she had to fight it alone? We are all here for her. We all care for her and if she was to die again... I don't think I could handle it. Even if Sophie isn't human, she life is her own and must not be thrown away so carelessly. Another unfortunate thing was Sophie herself wasn't able to break the cocoon Lambda had made around our Lastalia. In order to break through we needed to go to a place called Bathius Citadel, a military facility, and make parts to reinforce our shuttle. One thing looked up though, the Citadel wasn't far away and we could stop there before returning to the city.
Upon arriving in Bathius Citadel, it was clear that we had a long and dangerous path ahead of us. This place was even more swarming with monsters then at the research center! These monsters were more powerful as well. This was a challenging day indeed. After fighting our way through the monsters we eventually got to where we needed to be and Pascal used ore that was native to Fodra to make an attachment for our shuttle. It was quite amusing to watch Pascal make this attachment. She poked and prodded the machine and danced while watching it work. Why did watching her be so happy make me... happy as well? Could this just be the power of friendship? Anyway, now that we had the item we needed, we left back to the city.
(A/N: I'm just gonna throw this in here, I HATED BC and don't even wanna speak of it for even this fanfics sake. Horrible confusing place!)
It was dark by the time we finally got back to Telos Astue. It was about time we slept for the night and took care of the shuttle in the morning. I supposed Asbel and I sleep in the same house we did the night before and hopefully Pascal would actually sleep indoors as well. I especially didn't want her sneezing on me again.
The next morning I awoke to an interesting conversation. Apparently Pascal did decide to sleep indoors and slept in the same room as Cheria and Sophie where she talked in her sleep all night. I had first hand experience with Pascal and her sleep talking and I even heard from Sophie before that Pascal talked in her sleep... or rather, performed artes in her sleep... which also damaged the rooms... and kept everyone awake... but I digress. Cheria said that Pascal was talking about someone she liked in her dream. It was obviously Sophie she was referring too. All Pascal ever wanted to do was touch her... which was odd, to say the least. But I suppose knowing now that Sophie was actually a unit created by none other then Pascal ancestors I can't blame her for wanting to touch her. Sophie is amazing.
"I wouldn't be so sure" Cheria responded, "Young girls like Pascal can be surprisingly attracted to the bossy and overbearing type." I knew what she was getting at. "I'm surprised you didn't know that, Hubert."
What she was implying frustrated me. "This speculation is such a waste of time!"
"Well then why not just ask Pascal directly?" Cheria chuckled. Honestly, why did she have to go poking her nose into other people business anyway?
"W-why me?!"
"Please Hubert," Asbel interjected, "I've been wondering about this myself. Do it as a favor for me!" Why did he even care who Pascal fancied?! This was all such nonsense.
"Well... all right." I had given in. "If it's THAT important to you, I'll go ask her. But i cant guarantee anything!"
I eventually found Pascal in the shuttle bay, helping Psi attach her "Derris bit" to the ship. Now wasn't the time to ask her such foolishness. Not too long after I arrived, so did the rest of them. I watched patiently as Pascal, Psi and Emeraude worked on the shuttle. While waiting, Captain Malik approached me. He said he wanted to ask me something in private so we separated ourselves from the group. This was probably going to take a while as it was.
"What was it you wanted to speak with me about, Captain Malik?" I asked, crossing my arms. It must be important. He rarely asks to speak to me in private.
"I have noticed something lately." He started.
"Yes? What is it?"
"Has Pascal been eating lately? Shes been looking paler then normal. Or maybe she hasn't been sleeping?" He sounded worried.
I sighed in relief. That was all it was. "No. She has been eating and sleeping just fine. She has just been worrying a lot about her sister lately." Suddenly Malik started laughing. "What?!"
"Out of everyone, i knew that you would have an answer" He replied, still laughing.
"I don't understand..."
He waved his hand "Its nothing, nothing at all..." and continued laughing as he walked away. The nerve of that man! Pulling me aside with such a serious face only to react like that and walk away?! Was there a joke I missed? Why is it lately him and Cheria both have been behaving differently around me? This frustrated me. I don't like secrets especially when I'm involved with them. I'll have to speak to them later about this!
It seemed that the preparations were complete and the shuttle was ready to leave. We thanked Emeraude for all her help and she requested to go with us. She said that as a Fodran, she felt that she needed to help eliminate Lambda once and for all. Asbel gladly accepted her terms and we headed off. Time to go back home to Ephinea.
(Authors Note: Hey thanks for reading chapter 2! I feel like I haven't been creative enough with the story and have been just following it n such so I'm starting to add my own jazz to it! I feel like once the main arc is done and I graduate to the future arc I'll have more to add... Bare with me :D And happy reading!)