Incarose and Kohaku's Spiria Nexus
The groups finally made it to the shrine as there was a stone plate with words inscribed on it.
"This is Seaville Shrine. The Soma's behind that stone plate, but it's sealed with a Will arte and probably won't budge." Kor said.
"Don't worry. The woman in my Spiria has everything under control." Kohaku said as she approached the shrine and the tablet opened up to show an anklet with a red gem float out of it.
"An anklet, eh? Must be a woman's Soma!" Hisui said.
"Yeah. It's the only thing of my mother's that I have to remember her by." Kor said.
"I'm sorry you lost your mother. I take it she was a Somatic as well? We also lost our Somatic mother too soon. However, we have no idea where her Soma went." Kohaku said.
"Really? But hey, I'm not lonely! I've always got Gramps lecturing me non-stop! I bet it's the same for you, huh?" Kor said.
"Hee hee! Well, something like that. I have the world's most annoying brother lurking over my shoulder." Kohaku said as she laughed.
"I'm gonna assume that's a compliment. Now come on! We got the Soma, so let's blow this place." Hisui said.
"We haven't GOT anything, Hisui. We've only borrowed it." Kohaku scolded.
"So, uh, hey. If you don't mind, why are you two chasing Somas? Someone come down with despir?" Kor asked.
"The truth is-" Kohaku tried to say before everyone saw something appear in a flash of light.
It appeared to be a woman in an armored cloak with a hood over her face, red eyes, and silver hair.
"Who the heck is this?" Ace asked.
"This reading… Whatever she is, she's not human." Fulgore said.
"Found you. This time there will be no escape." The woman said.
"Incarose?!" Hisui exclaimed in shock as three dark orbs appeared and took the form of weird looking bugs, they were all black but had glowing red eyes.
"What the hell?" Saki asked before the creatures turned into a dark orb as the woman known as Incarose fired it at Kohaku dead center.
"Aaaaaah!" Kohaku screamed as she collapsed.
"Kohaku!" Sectonia called as she checked on her.
"Your dead, woman!" Fefnir said firing a few shots at Incarose.
"Sectonia, is she ok?" Ace asked looking at her as he checked her pulse. "She's still breathing but there's something wrong."
"Belay your fears. Your friend will not perish. Not until the awakening." Incarose said.
"Why you…" David said as he charged with his Ice Reaper Claw and she dodged his attack before dodging a punch from Kor.
"You won't get away!" Leviathan said dashing in and did a couple of thrusts before pulling back.
"The bracer on your left hand is a Soma; one that I have come across before. You must be Sydan's descendant." Incarose said looking at Kor.
"What's it to you?" Kor asked.
"It merely means I have one more little moth to crush. Perhaps two, if Sydan lives still." Incarose said holding her arm up to fire but unexpectedly Sydan rushed in and protect Kor from the attack.
"Oh my god!" Ace screamed in horror.
"Sydan!" David called out.
"Yrngh! R-Run, everyone! Run for your lives!" Sydan struggled to say as the lightning exploded as everyone saw Sydan collapse to the ground.
"Mr. Meteor!" Ace called out.
"My, you have aged Sydan. But rejoice, for soon you shall age no more." Incarose said stomping her foot on Sydan's back.
"Why, you rotten-! What have you done to Gramps?!" Kor demanded. "You won't get away with this!" He yelled as a red aura appeared around him and dashed toward Incarose knocking her down.
"I have felt this power before." Incarose muttered to herself.
"Kor, no! You musn't!" Sydan said as the aura disappeared from Kor.
"Gramps! Don't leave me!" Kor pleaded.
"I think we'd all better be leaving. On your feet soldier!" Orchid said.
"Hisui, Sectonia, you two got Kohaku ok?" Ace asked.
"Yes. We got her." Sectonia said.
"Don't worry kid, I've got your Grandfather." Fefnir said hefting Sydan over his shoulder.
"Let's get out of here!" Ace said as everyone ran back to the village.
Skit: Who the hell was that? (Ace, Leviathan, Fulgore, Phantom, Sectonia)
Ace: Whoever that woman was, she wasn't normal.
Leviathan: She definitely wasn't a reploid either, but she was definitely a machine of some kind. Just who the hell was that?
Fulgore: Scans couldn't indicate much, but she definitely wasn't any average machine.
Phantom: The best thing we can do right now is get Kohaku and Sydan medical attention. We'll worry about the mysterious woman later.
Sectonia: Right. We don't have a moment to waste!
Skit end
The groups finally made it to the house as Sydan and Kohaku were laid down onto the two beds.
"Gramps! Gramps!" Kor called out to his wounded grandfather.
"Outta the way, kid!" Hisui said moving past Kor and casted a healing arte on Sydan.
"You can use healing artes?" Ace asked.
"Yeah, but not all that well. I can't do anything for wounds this bad." Hisui said.
"We'll try to help, Kirumi, Stoj. Please lend me a hand." Linde said holding out a mend staff.
"As you wish." Kirumi said.
"Got it." Stoj said.
"Angh. Ah!" Kohaku groaned in pain as Ace held her head in comfort as he and Azura tried to sing a healing melody but to no avail. "Nothing's working, her Spiria was damaged by that witch when she fired that orb, what should we do? Any suggestions?"
"Nothing. No amount of healing can counter a spell on someone's Spiria." Hisui said.
"Dammit! We could use Kor's Soma but it would be too risky." Ace said.
"Why do you say that?" Kor asked.
"Because you'll have to fight the source of whatever is making Kohaku in pain. If you lose, you could die." Kirumi said.
"And our healing magic isn't helping Sydan. I don't think he'll make it...I'm sorry." Linde said starting to cry.
"I'll enter Kohaku's Spiria and undo the curse." Kor said as everyone gave him a shocked look.
"Whoa! Slow down there, zippy. Can ya even pull that off?" Hisui asked.
"Yeah, are you crazy, what if something happens? Like Kirumi said. If you lose, you'll die." Ace said grabbing Kor's shoulders.
"I have to! It's my duty as a Somatic!" Kor said.
"If you're going, you have to at least take some of us with you." Ace said. "David, Sectonia, Spade, If we channel our magic together we might be able to do a Spiria Link."
"If you're certain." David said.
"Of course. You can count on me." Sectonia said.
"Just leave it to big bro." Spade said.
"Alright, then let's join hands and channel our magic." Ace said as the selected people joined hands as Ace quietly chanted a spell. "Here goes!" Ace said as he and the three turned into orbs of light as they went into Kohaku's Spiria Nexus with Kor.
Kohaku's Spiria Nexus.
The orbs turned back to normal as Ace and the others looked around.
"It actually worked! We're inside the Spiria Nexus!" Ace said. "Is everyone ok?"
"Yep. I'm all good here." David said.
"Same here." Sectonia said looking around. "So this is what it's like inside someone's heart."
"Yeah, it's incredible." Spade said looking around as well.
"I'm amazed the spell worked, I didn't think it would help us get inside someone's Spiria." Ace said before he spotted one of those creatures that Incarose summoned fighting Kor. "Kor's in trouble, let's give him a hand."
(Tales of Hearts R-Mysterious Arms Soma)
"Here goes. Fire!" Ace chanted firing a small flame at one of the creatures destroying it. "Alright!"
"Flametongue!" Spade shouted executing a Fire imbued sword attack with the Exalted Falchion.
"Here goes… Ice Needles!" David shouted as icicles fly from overhead towards the monsters.
"Lightning!" Sectonia shouted as a lightning bolt struck one of the monsters.
"I got an idea! Azure Edge!" Ace shouted firing an energy ball from Yato finishing off the last of the monsters.
(Music end)
"What kinda creatures were those?" Ace asked sheathing Yato. "They weren't like any monsters I've seen back on Al's world."
"I have no idea. They certainly weren't like any of the monsters we've encountered." Sectonia said.
"Whatever they are, they're definitely the cause of Kohaku's current condition." Spade said.
"They're just like the dream-eating xeroms in the story of Sleeping Beauty!" Kor said in surprise.
"How can these xeroms exist if they're from a story?" Ace asked. "Maybe there's more than meets the eye here."
"I don't think I remember a Sleeping Beauty that had xeroms in them." David said.
"Maybe they exist only on this world most likely, as far as I can tell." Spade said before looking at his monster encyclopedia. "According to the page just added to the book, those things we fought were called spores, and are the first form of a xerom." He said looking at the page.
"I see, but for now I think we should follow Kor and keep going." Ace suggested. "We might be able to gather more information."
The five fought their way through the Spiria Nexus and when they got to the next room they spotted a girl looking at them before she disappeared.
"Did you guys see that?" Ace asked.
"I sure did." Sectonia said.
"A girl? In Kohaku's Spiria? H-Hey! Wait up!" Kor said running on ahead.
"Kor, wait!" Ace called out as the four chased after him.
As Kor ran ahead he was stopped by some kind of invisible barrier. Oh, what now? An invisible wall? Well, that's not going to stop me! I'll take it out with my Soma! Don't worry, Kohaku! I'm going to save you!" He yelled breaking through the barrier with his sword.
"What is that idiot doing?" Ace asked. "That barrier was probably put up for a reason." He said giving chase. "Come on."
The group then stopped and looked to see a flower made of crystals in front of them.
"It's beautiful, you think it's the core of Kohaku's Spiria?" Spade asked.
"Most likely." Sectonia said. "This form… Even though it brings bad memories, it's...very nostalgic."
"Yes. It is her Spiria Core. The source of a human's every emotion. You parted my barrier with a single strike. Commendable strength indeed, grandson of Sydan." A mysterious female voice said as the Spiria Core bloomed to show the same girl from before. She had long emerald green hair, a white dress, and emerald eyes.
"Wow." Spade said in amazement.
"I am Lithia. And I am a friend to your grandfather, Sydan." The girl known as Lithia said to Kor before looking at Ace and the others. "And it is an honor to officially meet you David Ishihara, Ace Neptune, Sectonia, and Spade Neptune." She said as the four mentioned widened their eyes in shock.
"Wait, you know about us?" David asked.
"Yes, I saw you all through Kohaku's eyes, that is how I knew of you." Lithia said.
"Her streaming hair is emerald green…" This is just like the princess who slept for over a thousand years!" Kor said. "First there's dream-chomping xerom, and now Sleeping Beauty herself? I must be the one dreaming here."
"Trust me Kor, this is no dream." Ace said. "So Lithia is Sleeping Beauty huh? Didn't expect that."
"The tale seemed a little different in this world, for sure." David said.
"You're right about that, I was surprised as well." Spade said.
"Could Lithia be the "Spiria woman" Kohaku was talking about?" Kor asked the others.
"Definitely." Sectonia said.
Lithia then teleported off the Spiria Core and in front of the five.
"Your surprise is not unexpected. However, we must make haste now that Incarose has discovered me." Lithia said.
"You mean that witch who hurt Gramps?" Kor asked.
"The very same. A fearsome sorceress she is, one who conspires to resurrect the xeroms. I must flee her clutches, and you five must aid me." Lithia pleaded.
"I'm not fleeing anywhere, lady! That witch is gonna pay for what she did to Gramps!" Kor said walking up to her.
"Kor, please stop! Lashing out at her isn't going to get us anywhere!" Sectonia said.
"Lady Sectonia is right, such plans are madness. Not even Sydan could stand against Incarose's sorcery." Lithia said.
"Yeah, but if Gramps had his Soma, he could've given that hooded maniac what-for! But instead, she cut him down even though he was unarmed. And now he might not- He might not-" Kor tried to say before that red aura appeared around him and his demeanor completely changed.
"I tell you, that witch is in for a world of hurt!" Kor said in a sadistic tone.
"Kor, stop!" David said trying to stop Kor.
"And you! How do I even know if you're on Kohaku's side?" Kor asked walking even closer up to Lithia. "Maybe YOU'RE the one wrecking her Spiria!"
"Kor, enough!" Ace said trying to stop Kor as well.
"Y-You are wrong. Kohaku and I have been together since birth." Lithia said backing away as a xerom appeared behind Kor.
"Beat it!" Kor said wiping the xerom out in one blow.
"There's something wrong with him, it's like he's being controlled." Spade said.
"This power! It is exactly like- No. Such a thing should not be. It cannot be!" Lithia said in fear. "Everyone you must flee, I have no choice but to scatter Kohaku's Spiria."
"But if you do that, Kohaku will be…" Sectonia started.
"Don't worry. If you manage to find and give her back her Spiria shards she'll regain her emotions little by little, now go!" Lithia pleaded. "Don't worry, we will meet again in the future."
"Alright. Everyone join hands." Ace said as everyone joined hands once more as he chanted a spell and they managed to escape back into the real world.
The real world: Kor's house.
Four orbs of light flew out of Kohaku's body as it was revealed to be Ace and the others.
"Phew! We managed to make it back." Ace said relieved. "You guys alright?"
"Yeah. We're fine. But Kor and Kohaku…" Sectonia said
Just then Kohaku opened her eyes and began to float as a white orb flung out of her revealed to be Kor. Then a multi-colored crystal floated above Kohaku's body before it soared into the sky in a green and red color as Ace and the others ran outside to see it scatter across the world.
"Oh no…" Ace muttered with a troubled look. "This is bad."
"Hisui is gonna kill us for sure when he finds out about this." David said.
A loud yell was heard.
"I think he already did." Sectonia said.
The four ran inside to see Kor kneeling in front of Hisui, who had an angered expression on his face.
"Spill it, kid! What'd you do? If Kohaku ain't better, it's your funeral!" Hisui demanded before he looked at Ace and the others and had a calm expression. "What happened?"
"I'm...I'm fine." Kohaku said emotionlessly as she sat up showing her dead eyes.
"Oh no." Ace muttered putting a hand over his face. "Her emotions are…"
"Kohaku! You're awake! Aw, what a relief! I was so worried, I was about to send the kid here to the great beyond!" Hisui said.
"W-Worried? What...for…?" Kohaku asked emotionlessly.
"Because that crazy witch dropped you like a sandbag, that's why! C'mon, sis, I'm not really in the joking mood." Hisui said.
"Jo...king…? Why…?" Kohaku asked.
"Her emotions are completely gone." Ace said.
"I was afraid of this." Sectonia said.
"Kohaku, what's going on with you? It's almost like-Oh no." Hisui said as realization hit him. "You! What'd you do to my sister?! Tell me now, or I'm gonna send my fist straight up your-" He said to Kor while still looking at Kohaku.
"I'm sorry, okay! I'm really sorry! But I think I might've shattered her Spiria Core." Kor said.
"Her what?" Hisui asked turning to Kor.
"It's the center of a person's Spiria. Where their emotions and stuff come from." Kor explained as Hisui walked up to him.
"Trouble." Spade said.
"Wait a second. You're telling me that everyone's Spiria has a source, and you went into Kohaku's and BROKE IT?! So she's some kinda vegetable now?! She won't laugh, or get mad, or cry?! Is that what you're saying?!" Hisui demanded before slapping Kor across the room.
"Hisui!" Ace called out to him as he walked over to Kor and held him by the collar.
"Come on, master Somatic! Tell me!" Hisui demanded.
"Enough!" Ace yelled pounding the floor causing the ground to shake a bit.
"Hisui, Ace, stop." Kohaku said.
"Kohaku!" Hisui said turning to her before grabbing Kor's collar again. "See that, kid? A girl without emotions is stopping me from rearranging your face!" He said.
"I said that's enough!" Ace said grabbing Hisui's shirt. "Lashing out at Kor isn't gonna make things better, so you need to calm down and set yourself straight, got it?!" He asked before letting go and walking back to David and the others. "Sorry about that."
"It's alright. If not you, it probably would've been me." Sectonia said.
"Yeah." Ace said before he saw a green orb float in front of Kohaku. "Is that…"
"A Spiria shard. One is still here!" Sectonia said.
"Well, it may be shattered, but it looks like the shard containing her kindness stayed behind." Kor said.
"Indeed. There is yet hope for this young girl's Spiria." Sydan said weakly. "If you recover all the missing shards, you should be able to piece the core back together."
"Then there's still hope right?" Roy asked the others.
"Yeah. If we can gather those shards, Kohaku should return to normal." Elize said as she continued healing Sydan.
Sydan gently grabbed her hand as he opened his eyes. "Don't waste your energy, my dear. My wounds are fatal. I don't have much time left."
"Gramps!" Kor yelled running to Sydan's side. "I'm so sorry. It's all my fault."
"You have nothing to be sorry about, my boy." Sydan said.
"Of course I do! You could've stomped that witch flat if you had your Soma, but instead, you gave it to me." Kor said.
"Listen to me, Kor. Do not feel shame or regret. The Soma is my gift to you. Use it as you please. You must only heed this warning." Sydan said.
"Yes?" Kor asked.
"Do not hate. Do not succumb to anger in the heat of battle. Nurture a Spiria of true strength. And finally, protect the girl with no Spiria to call her own. Resist anger. Nurture a strong Spiria. Protect the girl. Do you understand?" Sydan asked.
"Y-Yes, sir." Kor said.
"You are the grandson of Sydan Meteor and the son of Kardia Meteor. Never forget this." Sydan said. "When asked your name, stand tall and call out that you are Kor Meteor!"
"Yes!" Kor said.
"No one can ever take that from you!" Sydan said.
"Yes!" Kor repeated.
"I enjoyed our final bout in the woods, Kor. You got me good. Ace, David, Sectonia, Spade, please watch over my grandson." Sydan said before he closed his eyes and passed on.
"G-Gramps? Graaamps!" Kor cried out as he was pulled into a hug by Linde.
"You can count on us sir." Ace whispered before turning to the others. "Let's make sure that we fulfill Sydan's wish and help Kor." He said as the four put their hands on top of each other.
"Yeah." David said. "I'll go give Sydan a proper burial." He said as he carried Sydan's body outside with Titan's Biometal merged with him.
A few minutes later
Everyone was in front of Sydan's grave as Kor kneeled down to it not saying a word before he stood up.
"Um, David? Thanks for helping bury my grandfather." Kor said.
"Don't mention it, Kor. I'm used to that sort of thing by now." David said.
"And we're gonna come with you to help find the remaining shards, so you can count on us." Ace said. "And the Soma will be a big help to finding them."
"Soma?" Kohaku asked as her Soma glowed causing a beam of light to shoot out into the distance.
"That light… It's like a beacon, pointing to a shard of Kohaku's Spiria Core!" Sectonia said.
"So all we have to do is follow the light." Ace said before turning to everyone. "Are you guys ready for the journey of a lifetime?"
"Yes!" The Brave Adventurers declared.
"Then let's rock!" Ace yelled as the two groups alongside Kor, Hisui, and Kohaku began the journey for the missing shards.
Skit: Concerns (Ace, David, Sectonia, Spade)
Ace: Hey David, are the biometals treating you ok?
David: It's taking some time to get used to, but nothing hazardous so far.
Ace: That's good, this is the best thing I could come up with for you since the Tapu Guardians headed back to Alola for a bit.
David: I'm more worried about Sectonia, though… Though not to Kor's extent, she's taking the Incarose thing pretty hard.
Ace: Yeah, the best thing we can do now is support her. Linde took it hard as well probably because she lost her family back on her world.
David: Yeah… Anyone would take it hard after something like that.
Ace: Yeah. So let's raise our spirits and continue supporting each other as we find those shards! You with me? (Holds a hand out to fist bump)
David: Definitely. (Fist Bumps)
On the other side…
Sectonia:...
Spade: Are you alright milady?
Sectonia: Yes. It's just...the way Incarose killed Sydan reminded me of how I used to be. I never thought that I would meet someone that can have that effect. Maybe I still have my mind on the way Symonne was about Dezel's death.
Spade: I know the feeling. When our parents died, I was completely wracked with grief. Ace didn't know at the time since he was young. So I continued to raise him on my own till he was ready to learn the truth.
Sectonia: You care very deeply for him. I don't think the old me would be capable of comprehending that.
Spade: But you are capable of caring for the people you love now. And now that I'm reunited with Ace, we're to going make new memories with everyone as travel through the worlds alongside you and the others.
Sectonia: Right. (That Incarose… I don't know why, but...something about her just irks me. Maybe defeating her would make good practice for when I fight my dark half. But...I'm not sure if I can do that on my own.) Spade...do you think that...you can teach me that style of yours?
Spade: Of course milady. Like I said to you before, if you ever have to face your dark side, just know that David and everyone else will be there to support you until the very end. The first attack I'll teach you as we journey is known as Flametongue.
Sectonia: Flametongue… That's a Fire-Elemental attack. It will come in handy.
Spade: And I will teach you the other ones as well. Shall we move along milady?
Sectonia: Yes. Let's go!
Skit end