Episode 02

~ Memories ~

"So, this is Grancel…Liberl Kingdom's capital city…" the former wishful author stared in awe, meanwhile his companion Gundam Meisters Setsuna F Seiei and Lockon Stratos, as well as TSAB's enforcers Teana Lanster and Fate T Harlaown was just remain silent meanwhile the later two giggled as they saw Ave who stared the majestic capital city in awe like a little child. "The situation is definitely cheerful and busy at the moment since it's already close to the celebration of Queen Alicia's 61st birthday…" Teana explained as she smiled toward Ave, as the said former wishful author was just scratched his head and laughed sheepishly.

"We're here for a mission already decided from Sumeragi Lee Noriega's mission plan, I hope you're not letting your guard down…" Setsuna made his remark as he walked away from the group. "Ooops…sorry…" the former author replied back, as he apologized. "Nah, don't worry about him…he just concerned about your wellbeing, since this is your first experience in actual real mission outside Ptolemaios 2 and TSAB's Wolfram's simulation…" Lockon quickly made his remark as he explained on how the Exia's Gundam Meister never meant to make any offensive remark in actuality.

"Well, I still need to learn more…especially in this new Tertiary World…I couldn't blame Setsuna for worrying about the mission might turn wrong because of my lack of experience, although I definitely confident that I could overcome any obstacles in front of me no matter how hard they are…" Ave replied back, as he smiled with confident toward Lockon, Fate and Teana, as the three of them nodded back in agreement while smiling back at the said former wishful author as well. "By the way, how's the new equipment installed for Gespenst Haken? Are they working properly fine?" Fate Testarossa Harlaown for all the sudden asked the younger former author as her expression showing a genuine concern.

"I haven't test them personally in actual combat situation, but I believe those two Type-74 PB Blades should be working fine, as those hard points on Gespenst Haken's back are definitely very similar in nature to those Mount Pylon sub-arm attachment used by Type-77 Tactical Surface Fighter…" Ave replied back, as he referring over a pair of Type-74 PB Blades mainly used by United States of Japan's Tactical Surface Fighters such as Type-77 Gekishin or Type-94 Shiranui, along with their current compatibility with his Gespenst Haken.

"By the way, I wonder why Cassius choose to meet with us at the main plaza instead of Grancel's Bracer Guild…" Teana made her remark, as Setsuna was the one that responded over Teana's remark. "According to the mission plan…Cassius Bright's request for assistance supposedly to be disclosed even from Bracer Guild…even with his position as number one Bracer in Liberl Kingdom, there is no guarantee there isn't someone that would pose as traitor within the said organization itself…" Setsuna replied back, as he turned his face and stared at the young TSAB enforcer with his usual cold and serious expression.

"I see…I think I understand why…" Teana replied back as she nodded her head in understanding. "Well, I think we better stop this serious talk here…since I think we already arrive…" Lockon made his remark as he grinned toward Setsuna and the others as usual. It was when the said former wishful author finally met with the legendary Bracer himself, although the most intriguing part surely came into realization when Cassius Bright later on asked both TSAB's Special Duty Section 6 and Celestial Being to assist Bracer Guild, especially his daughter as well as former adoptive son; Estelle Bright and Joshua "Astray" Bright.

Back to present time, at Sakhalin Base hangar area…

"Ave-kun! Did you listening to my lecture? Geeez…I even busy to explain things for you…" the former wishful author was startled in surprise as he saw Carisa's displeased expression somehow really close to his own face. "Uhm, I'm sorry Ms. Carisa…I'm just spacing out…" Ave apologized as he laughed sheepishly. "Mou…I'm sure you must be thinking…remembering about many things happened in the past before you meet us don't you? I could be so sure, especially the way you're spacing out like that!" Carisa replied back as she pouted toward the former wishful author.

"I'm sorry…really! Sorry!" Ave quickly apologized one more time as he clasped both of his hands to perform apologetic Buddha gesture toward Carisa. "Carisa, I think you should stop from teasing him…since I admit I couldn't follow your explanation as well, as my mind also wandering through to those past memories…" Imca made her remark as she leaning her Var on her right shoulder before glanced at The Nameless' female tank operator with sharp stare from her eyes.

"Alright…alright…alright…I won't be doing it anymore, however both of you should just told me if my way on explaining something is hard to follow or even if you were uninterested with the subject to begin with…" Carisa replied back at Imca's remark as she took a deep breath and sighed. "In return however…" Carisa paused her sentence as she staring at Ave with serious expression on her face. The said former author could only gulped.

"It's your turn to tell me story about what happened prior to our encounter that make you stick like glue to The Nameless as well as Gallia Militia's Squad 7…well, in order to fulfil your promise to your sweet Isara…" Carisa made her demand as she grinned at the former author in front of her. "Well, Ms. Carisa…I don't believe it myself since one year and three months already passed and you still think I have special bond or romantic relationship with corporal Isara Gunther…now you start to sound like Excellen…" Ave could only replied back as he sighed after taking a long deep breath.

"She's like a younger sister to me…more importantly dependable and trustworthy comrade in arm and friend…"

Imca somehow couldn't help herself from feeling amused over the former wishful author's remark, meanwhile Carisa, which still standing in front both Ave and Imca only nodded when she heard the said former author's answer. "Anyway…I still interested to know more about many other things happened in the past when you're not yet involved with us…" Carisa still demanded, meanwhile Ave could only scratch his hair before replied back and smiled sheepishly. "Ms. Carisa…I don't think those experiences would be interesting for you to hear…" the former author replied back, hoping Carisa would change her mind and didn't pursue these stories further.

"If I remember correctly…you always having this unique mutual relationship with Time-Space Administration Bureau's special ops unit known as Special Duty Section 6 as well as paramilitary organization Celestial Being's Ptolemaios team…and then you even getting yourself involved into various mission in this Tertiary World as well as other Tertiary Worlds connected via Crossgate…I'm interested as well to hear more about those Bracers especially Estelle and Joshua Bright…and of course the legendary hero Adol Christin that you met…" Imca paused her sentence as she stared at the former author who sat beside her.

"Uhm, Ms. Imca?"

"I met him once and I thought this redhead is just some ordinary swordsman you could see loitering in the middle of busy street…especially after Break The World incident happened…but, from those records as well as how he fought in par against Empire's Valkyria armed only by his steel sword and shield…I dare to say, he's not an ordinary person…" Imca replied back. Ave on the other hand decided to at least told both Imca and Carisa about his experience before he found his place together with The Nameless, even though those people in question such as Adol "The Red" Christin, Estelle and Joshua Bright as well as others (from Nihon Falcom universe) weren't too strange for both Imca and Carisa themselves in the first place.

It was when the former wishful author began his story, as both Imca and Carisa would for the first time heard some more other details about those individuals (from Nihon Falcom universe) based from Ave's personal experience and past knowledge.

Meanwhile on the east of Gallia's border with Calvard Republic, between industrial city of Zeiss and real world Warsaw…

"Crap! I miss that one!" Estelle Bright cursed in frustration as her target leaped over her in order to avoid her battle-staff sweeping strike. "Don't worry Estelle, let me handle him!" Joshua Bright replied from behind as he leaped as well and strike the incoming enemy with his twin blades only to have the said enemy parrying his attack with his kunai dagger.

"He's tough…but we don't know about his intention yet…someone from World Liberation Front perhaps…" Estelle made her remark as she turned her body and readying her fighting stance to face her enemy. "It's very unlikely…ever since the new administration started to perform active crackdown over World Liberation Front, their activities greatly reduced…unless…" Joshua stopped his sentence as his opponent threw three kunai daggers in the same time, although ever since his past memories as Ouroboros' enforcer number 13 code-named "Pitch-Black Fang" returned, his fighting abilities somehow increased drastically as he easily deflecting the incoming three kunai daggers by using his twin blades.

The mysterious enemy leaped back as he put his right hand inside his pocket before producing a single card in his right hand. "Joshua! That card…that card! Don't let him!" Estelle shouted frantically, meanwhile without replied back to his supposedly adoptive eldest sister "as well as his love-interest", Joshua charged toward his assailant. It was too late however, as the mysterious assailant quickly put the mysterious card in front of his forehead while in the same time evoking certain word in order to made a pact with the demon from another realm.

"ADVENI…"

Instantly, a single huge pillar of flame engulfed the mysterious attacker as he transformed into an enormous towering armed humanoid monster known as Gigas during the siege against Yshrenia Empire as well as terrible conflict happened ten thousand years ago "Dogma War". "Tsk! This situation could be problematic…" Joshua muttered as he leaped back and readying his fighting stance, meanwhile Estelle quickly approached him. "I don't mind fighting bigger opponent…but you're right Joshua…this one could be proven problematic!" Estelle remarked back at Joshua's comment, as she also readying her fighting stance while activated her Tactical Orbment as well.

As soon as both Estelle and Joshua charged toward the incoming Gigas, for all the sudden multiple micro-missiles accurately locked at the said Gigas before their explosion halted both Estelle and Joshua from performing their ultimate "S-Crafts" attack skills. "Estelle-Oneechan! Joshua-Oniichan! Are you alright?" it was a very familiar cute and innocent voice that could be heard by both Estelle and Joshua, as the two recently famous senior Bracers quickly turned their heads.

Both Estelle and Joshua quickly saw their incoming rescuer who innocently and cheerfully waved her right hand toward them from inside her bipedal humanoid combat machine's cockpit. "Tita! What are you doing here? What was that you're riding on? That's not Mobile Suit or Personal Trooper or Koubu or anything I ever saw previously! It's dangerous here!" Estelle quickly shouted back at the incoming Tita as she bombarded the younger girl with warning and questions, meanwhile Joshua in the same time could only took a single long deep breath and sighed.

"Uweeee! I'm just trying to help Estelle-Oneechan while testing this first prototype of Orbal Gear …" Tita timidly replied back, as her voice quickly boomed on the surrounding area, thanks to the speaker device installed on her Orbal Gear. "I see! Thanks for rescuing us Tita! However, this place is still too dangerous…even with your new Orbment Gear!" Estelle replied back as she was shouting as well. Afterwards, Joshua quickly put his right hand on Estelle's right shoulder from behind.

"Estelle…you don't need to shout from your lung since I believe Tita could hear you very well…even from inside her Orbal Gear…" Joshua reminded his adoptive sister to not embarrassed herself by shouting and screaming while unnecessary. "Oh, you hush!" Estelle quickly replied back as she glared slightly toward Joshua, meanwhile the young Bracer with raven black hair and amber eyes only giggled when he heard his adoptive eldest sister's reply "Well, I think I let it slide for this time, since we still need to finish off that Gigas!" Estelle replied back one more time, as she readying her stance. In the meantime, the said Gigas previously bombarded by Tita's Orbal Gear started to stood back again and roared fiercely.

"Eeeek! I thought I put him on sleep already…" Tita's voice could be heard trembling, as both Estelle and Joshua fully understood over the little girl's fear, even though she was riding an Orbal Gear mecha unit at the moment. "Don't worry Tita-sweetie…let us handle this and you just…" before Estelle could finish her sentence, the enemy Gigas leaped as he was somehow ready to crush Tita's Orbal Gear by using his massive battle-axe.

Tita closed her eyes as she shrieked in fear; meanwhile both Estelle and Joshua tried their best to chase over the Gigas without much success. As everything seemed to be hopeless, a single white sleek humanoid figure leaped out of nowhere and landed its flying kick toward the Gigas' groin. "Tita! Are you alright?" it was a familiar voice that came from the white humanoid figure, as Tita, Estelle and Joshua quickly found out the identity of their saviour.

"Ah! Mr. Gainer!" Tita was the first one who greeted her saviour as the white humanoid weapon known as Overman King Gainer landed beside her Orbal Gear. "Haven't see you quite a while Tita-chan…how's everything on your side?" Gainer Sanga replied back from inside his King Gainer's cockpit, as he was returning Tita Russel's greeting. "We're doing fine…grandpa and everyone as well tee hee…" Tita replied back as she smiled cutely toward King Gainer, meanwhile both Estelle and Joshua also nodded in agreement. "That's good to hear! I would love to have a relaxing chat with you guys…however, we better dealing with this persistent enemy first!" Gainer replied back at Tita, Estelle and Joshua as he readying his Overman King Gainer to perform "Over Skill" inherent skill toward the already weakening Gigas.

However, before Gainer could execute his ultimate Over Skill, a single arrow of light flashed out of nowhere and struck directly on the Gigas' chest. The unholy creature howled unearthly before it fell to the ground motionless. "What the…" Gainer almost cursed as he turned his King Gainer's head in order to saw the individual who delivered finishing blow to the Gigas before he could do the same.

"Reinforced warrior…Optimus…I think I know who is it…" Gainer muttered as his King Gainer lowered his stance. In the meantime, both Estelle and Joshua also lowered their stances as well, as the former waved her right hand toward the female Optimus reinforced warrior not far from their location. "Arietta! Yooohooo! Arietta!" Estelle shouted in cheerfulness enthusiasm meanwhile Joshua was just sighed before smiled at his adoptive eldest sister that happened to be his love interest as well.

Arietta deactivated her Optimus/ Ren Force armour generated by her Optimite crystal before approached Estelle, Joshua, as well as Gainer inside King Gainer and Tita inside her Orbal Gear. "Ah, Arietta-Oneechan! Thank you very much for helping us…" Tita politely thanked Arietta as she bowed her head repeatedly, meanwhile the silver-haired young girl from the ancient age of Dogma War could only smiling back at Tita while blushed slightly. "Uhm, you're welcome Tita-chan…Estelle-san, Joshua-san and Gainer-san…it has been for a while…isn't it?" Arietta replied back at Tita while in the same time greeted the others as well.

"Three months was quite long Arie! I know you're very busy with your Bracers business in Calvard, as well as those assignments my Dad gave to you! However at least we definitely need to catch up, don't you agree? Of course you agree with me right!"

Estelle replied back cheerfully with enthusiasm as she gave Arietta hugs on her shoulders, meanwhile Joshua could only took a deep breath and remain silent when he witnessed Estelle's over enthusiastic behaviour. "I really must Estelle-san, and I apologized for not being able to do so recently…" Arietta replied back at Estelle's reply before she apologized in the same time as well.

"Ah, please don't be Arie-sweetie and…Joshua! Hush! I swear you rolled your eyes and smug away when you see my beautiful cute enthusiasm toward Arie!" Estelle replied back toward Arietta meanwhile afterwards glared at Joshua before yelled at him like always. "You're sharp like always Estelle and even when I haven't said anything, you already could quite accurately guessed what's inside my mind…" Joshua replied back as he smiled gently toward Estelle, as the young female Bracer in front of him could only took a deep breath and sighed.

"Sometimes I could just whack you off…as you could say something sarcastic like that with straight face…" Estelle replied back, as everyone else laughed meanwhile Joshua himself still smiled gently without even laughed. It was when everyone else decided to have a nice warm conversation while heading back to Zeiss in order to claim the bounty reward for completing the Bracers guild's quest. As they converse, Estelle somehow felt nostalgic as everything that started one year and three months ago somehow started to resurface within her memories. When Joshua asked about the said matter in her mind, Estelle only laughed sheepishly and replied back toward her adoptive youngest brother.

"I just remembered on how everything started one year and three months ago…as well as certain wishful author that somehow involved into this world's creation…I wonder what is he doing now…"

Meanwhile, back on Sakhalin Base…

"Heroes of Eternity?" Carisa asked in amusement, meanwhile the former wishful author was just nodded over Carisa's question before replying back afterward. "Sometimes they were referred as Heroes of Time as well…both you and Ms. Imca met them in the past as they fought side by side with you guys until the end…if Ms. Imca said my bonds with both Celestial Being and Special Duty Section 6 somehow unique and strong…I could say the same to my relationship as Time Diver with these Heroes of Eternity as well…" the former author replied back, meanwhile Carisa only nodded back as she tried to digest Ave's answer inside her mind.

"Cless Albane, Chester Burklight, Mint Adenade, Claus F. Lester, Arche Klein, and Suzu Fujibayashi…the six of them are Heroes of Eternity that being mentioned by Ave…I remembered clearly when we arrived in this new land called Aselia and get involved in Valhalla War against Demon King Dhaos…although…" Imca paused her sentence as she stared at the former wishful author and Carisa in the same time.

"I remembered…and I understand fully Imca…sometimes reality isn't as simple as black and white…the same with good and evil as well…" Carisa replied back as her voice tone somehow became more serious than her usual playful cute and cheerful voice. "Dhaos' true reason behind his actions…although somehow still wrong and perhaps evil in the end…I somehow could find solid justification from it…" Ave decided to made a remark based on his personal insight opinion regarding Valhalla War that later on made him together with those six Heroes of Eternity, The Nameless, Celestial Being's Ptolemaios 2 crews as well as Special Duty Section 6 traversing across time and space in order to defeat the Demon King Dhaos once and for all.

"Unlike those Bracers as well as Adol The Red…we got involved directly almost from the beginning to the end together with these six Heroes of Eternity…however, I would still somehow felt how in the end…even after we all manage to defeat Dhaos, it was somehow ended really tragic since the said Demon King himself only fought for the sake of his people…" Imca decided to voice her remark as she finished her previous unfinished sentence.

Ave on the other hand was just remain quiet, as he listened at Carisa and Imca's conversation regarding Valhalla War against Demon King Dhaos as well as their involvement on assisting the legendary Heroes of Eternity back then. Although the former wishful author somehow quite familiar over Dhaos' motive and reasoning for his action as Demon King during Valhalla War, he ended up assisting Cless and everyone else in order to defeat the said Demon King. In the end, as far as he as well as the others realized the fact that Dhaos merely wished to protect and save his own homeworld, Ave couldn't help himself thinking from time to time that what he done so far up until today might not really be too different from Dhaos' at all.

"If there are truly evil in this universe…surely would be deep down within every human's hearts…"

The former wishful author couldn't really remember of the exact wording from the sentence spoken to him by Dhaos, although he was fully understood the weight of the sentence's meaning somehow. Deep down inside his heart however, Ave also understood the weight of responsibility for him to fulfil his role as Time Diver together with Heroes of Eternity as well as his newfound friends and comrades to defeat Dhaos that would definitely becoming major threat over the new Tertiary World's alliance in which Aselia was a member as well. Although he couldn't help himself from having an irony feeling etched inside his heart, the former wishful author never regret his decision back then when he fought the Demon King Dhaos. The only regret he had, if there is any, was only the fact he never tried to ask for Dhaos' reasoning before he fought and defeat his Demon King persona.

It was when the communication feature installed on his S2U "Song to You" device flashed as the former author himself startled in a slight surprise. Imca and Carisa in the same time stopped their conversation as both of them stared at Ave before took a deep breath and sighed. "Ave-kun, didn't Oneesan always told you before to switch any communication device off when you're watching a movie in the cinema…" Carisa pouted as she scolded the younger former wishful author as if she scolds her own youngest brother.

"Ah, I'm sorry Carisa-Oneesan…" Ave paused his sentence as he glared at Carisa before continuing his reply. "Hey! Since when you become my eldest sister anyway, and we're not inside cinema theatre!" the former wishful author complained, meanwhile Carisa could only giggled in amusement. "That's what Carisa always refer as humour…" Imca made her remark as well, meanwhile Ave could only took a deep breath and sighed before glanced at his S2U device.

"It's commander Hayate Yagami from Special Duty Section 6…I wonder if there is something important happened out there and I certainly must know about it…" Ave muttered alone, as he stared at the incoming call on his S2U. "I think you better answer her, since you're still technically under her command anyway…" Imca suggested as the former wishful author stared at the young female Darcsen soldier in front of him, meanwhile in the same time Carisa also nodded in agreement over Imca's suggestion.

"I see…then if both you excuse me…Ms. Imca and Ms. Carisa…"

As the former wishful author walked away from the hangar area to his quarter for private conversation with Special Duty Section 6's commander Hayate Yagami, both Carisa and Imca took another deep breath before sighed and smiled each other. "When the first time I met Ave-kun, he seems struggling quite a lot to find his place in this new world and literally tons of conflicts and many other things happened…however, in the end he found the place where he belongs and now he could stood on his own feet even stronger and proudly…" Carisa made her remark, as she couldn't help herself from smiled even more, meanwhile Imca nodded in agreement over The Nameless' female tank operator beside her.

"Unlike us who tasted battlefield almost as part as our daily life…Ave came from the world where our experiences as well as others' came to his perspective from fictional works…he might be knowledgeable over many things, however in term of real experiences…Ave was struggling quite a while back then…moreover he couldn't literally using his prior knowledge to predict the entire events that might unveil as the existence of this new Tertiary World itself already threw his knowledge into disarray…" Imca replied back as she leaned her head on the metal hull behind her, meanwhile Carisa nodded in agreement over her reply.

"Well, he keep on moving forward and even though he couldn't predict future events based on his prior knowledge anymore…Ave-kun definitely performing his duty as Time Diver…the destiny he had chosen by himself…" Carisa replied back as she smiled toward Imca once again, as the said young female Darcsen soldier just nodded in agreement before smiled back as well.

As both Imca and Carisa kept on conversing about the former wishful author as well as many other past events, which they remembered very well deep down inside their hearts, both of them realized on how it wasn't solely Ave's fault that created the brave new Tertiary World in the first place.

Since the most important thing was to be able to accept such changes and keep on living their life to the fullest regardless to what kind of future might greet them later on, which both Imca, Carisa, as well as many others including the said former wishful author himself very well understood and definitely agree.

To Be Continued…