Disclaimer: It's obvious I don't have Tales of Xillia, because it was properties of Bandai Namco.
Editor's Note: Hey guys! I'm the editor for this lovely story right here :D and I'm here to apologize about extremely delaying the submission of this! I was in a horrible situation at the time, but here it is, Maxwell's Descendant's seventh chapter! Enjoy and leave a review for Rina Aria as well!
Author's Note: Hello from me too~ Everyone... I have something I need to tell you. Right now, I officially hate University Entrance Ceremony. I didn't even have time to type the continuation of any of my story! I couldn't bear it I might turn crazy! Anyway as my editor said, sorry for the lateness since even after I get this story I didn't have the time to publish it. Sorry anyway but I still hope for you to review me as well~
Stella POV
I don't know how much time had passed, but when I opened my eyes; I was in a room. A room that would often become my workplace; the infirmary. My mind was blurry as I realized where I am and I wondered why I was here at the first place. I just remembered that I was walking to the library right after I spoke with Aunt Elize. Did I black out? But why? I'm sure that I didn't stay up for the whole night this week so it wasn't just a simple fatigue, but the fact that I was in this state, proved to me that I did in fact blacked out.
"So I see you are already awake." A voice suddenly interrupted my train of thought.
I looked up and saw Mrs. Prinn, sitting on the nurse's desk as she gently smiled. Mrs. Prinn was my teacher during nursery, she often teaches me in private, and she is definitely a good nurse. She once told me that she used to be a spy for Auj Oule in one of our private lessons, but I didn't believe it. Mrs. Prinn is very kind after all.
"I'm sorry, I guess I made you worry again ma'am, but may I ask why I'm here?" I curiously asked her, while trying to remember what exactly happened to me in the first place.
"Well, I don't know how and why you blacked out to begin with. I was honestly surprised that it was Ian who carried you here. In case you want to know where you blacked out, it was at the hallway near Madame Lutus' office." Mrs. Prinn explained as she took a glass of water to my bed.
I ignored the specific area I fainted on, since there was something far more interesting than that. I drank the glass of water that she offered me and asked, "Ian did?"
"Yes, the boy did. He looked somewhat worried at the time and started badmouthing you for not taking care of your health. He said that Altair is making sure that Alicia stays in her room, so he reluctantly watched over you or so he said. He went back with Altair about half an hour ago. You better thank him the next time you two meet up."
"I understand and when could I go back to my dorm?" I replied, as my mind switched to thinking as to how odd it was for Ian to worry about me. I feel much more comfortable if it was Altair, he is after all my brother, but Ian is different case...
Mrs. Prinn then took a pack of medicine and handed it to me. I suspected it to be the one that cause me to feel sleepy. "Before your brother and Alicia came here to pick you up, but I told them to come after dinner. Thankfully you woke up a little bit earlier than I expected, so I guess you've convinced me that you can go back on your own. Besides I think you look healthy enough."
I took the pack of medicine and said, "Thanks ma'am. I guess I feel a lot better now after all that sleep I got. I'll be excusing myself now."
Mrs. Prinn only smiled as I slid down the clinic's bed and then showed her my thanks by bowing down to her and taking my leave. It was weird how I managed to black out; it's actually been five years since I fainted like that. I even forgot how it felt like to just fall off like that and I vaguely remembered that something happened before all that…
It seems like I was thinking too much; I didn't realize where I was going since I managed to bump into someone as I walked. It took me by surprise and not to mention that I was just starting to regain my consciousness, so my balance isn't really all that good yet. I felt my back being pulled by the force of gravitation and I yelled.
I was scared of slamming my back to the floor so I shut my eyes in fear, bracing for the impact, except that's what I waited for didn't happen at all. I reluctantly opened my eyes as I heard a surprised voice saying, "Wha- I'm sorry-… eh, Stella?!"
In front of me stood Ian who had his hands on my wrist and my shoulders. I was surprised as well that I instantly said, "Ah, Ian… what are you doing here? And if you don't mind… could you maybe let me go of me this instant?"
It seems that my question took him by surprise, but he quickly let go of me after he was sure that I was able to manage a firm composure. He looked away, sliding his hands in his pocket and said, "It's obvious that I was worried about you. I found you lying down on the floor looking so pained… by any chance did you have a serious illness or something?"
I laughed dryly on his attempt to understand why I blacked out. I placed both of my hands in front of my chest and slightly pushed him since he looked so curious and curious Ian is was as bad as a curious Altair. Well, they tend to take things too far resulting in the most absurd of deduction.
"Thank you for your help and don't worry too much. I'm okay, really and before you think of anything weird, I'm perfectly healthy and normal as you can see. I'm going to sleep more in the dorm so can you pass me a message to Al saying that 'I'm okay and you shouldn't try anything deadly just because you are worried about me,' to him okay?" I said as I walked past Ian after giving him my gratitude.
I could feel Ian's gaze on my back though he quickly averted his eyes, seemingly to understand that I wanted to rest, but before I could leave him for good, he said, "Hey Stella… when I found you, your necklace… it glowed. Do you know why?"
I was taken by surprise with his question. I put my index finger on the side of forehead, trying to remember, but found nothing of any importance. I withdrew my index finger saying, "Ian, I lost my consciousness at the time so I don't know and I don't understand how it would glow out of now where. The present came from Dad when I first entered Talim. I did remember he said that it was precious, but I'm sure that there is nothing too special about it."
Ian seems to take my explanation on face value, because he looked like he wasn't convinced at all. Well, in the matter of hiding emotion, Ian is way worse than I am, but he was saved by his narrow variety of expression. If I need to sum him up, he was a brilliant but easy-to-read young man.
I decided to shrug it off and walk to my room, just as I planned. On the way there, Ian's question bugs me quite much. I didn't think that the necklace had any other value except sentimental value but if it actually glowed… why Dad give Altair and me them? I don't want to get suspicious of my own dad, but somehow I had a feeling that something will happen in near future and I hate the fact that it might actually come true.
Normal POV
Summer Break had knocked on the door to the students of Talim Medical School. Those who had passed their tests and had more than enough credit got into a month of break. Those who didn't must take the supplementary lesson. Ian and Altair are those who passed the test with the highest score while Stella managed to get a satisfying result, it was an understatement though since Stella only managed to get a B+ on only one subject while the rest is an A. If there is anyone who was barely escaped supplementary then it is Alicia since she got quite the number of C in her report cards.
Ian had gone back to Kanbalar, his hometown, since the report cards were given and it was a week before the summer break. This year Alicia coincidentally didn't go home while Stella and Altair; who had heard the detail from Stella, needed to go to a mission. Stella already told Altair that they were supposed to bring Alicia along without giving the detail and two days before their departure, they (though to be more precise, Stella) told Alicia about this, leaving some details behind.
"Eh, to Nia Khera?" Alicia repeated in questioning manner as she tilted her head to the side.
Stella nodded enthusiastically before saying, "Yeah, just we three. Auntie gave us the permission to go on the trip. My Dad also gave his approval to it as well!"
Alicia contemplated for a moment as she looked upward to the ceiling of her dorm room. As she let out a long fuming sound she said, "Well… it's not like I can't and all… my mother won't mind it either since I didn't go home at the first place… Nia Khera is also the strong believer of Maxwell… it was a good condition for me but… is it okay for me to tag along? You know that my fighting ability is nonexistent, right?"
Stella looked away in discomfort since she perfectly knew that. In the self-defense class Alicia is the worst in her offensive performance wise. Alicia didn't suck that much in support but her defense and offense is so nonexistent that anyone could say that she won't last long if fighting alone. Stella knew that Alicia hide from monster so well though because that's the reason why she never got hurt whenever she got lost in the middle of wilderness. Only Origin knew how come she managed to get lost that far.
"You shouldn't say that… it was weird how I must do journey with Altair again. We are together for a very long time and… I just want you to come. Is that bad?" Stella said hesitantly at the last part. She took a glance at Alicia who looked like she was in thought.
Alicia took another time to think about it. The danger is great for her, but she was with Altair and Stella the twin that had their self-defense instructor cry in defeat so it wouldn't be a problem if she just hides. It would be bad if somehow, they decided to see another town but going to Nia Khera will solve some of her investigation so it was a win-win condition for her. Bearing those thought in her mind, Alicia finally said, "Okay… if you don't mind me…"
Stella smiles widen and she tackled Alicia to her bed while saying, "Yay, thank you Alice! You are the best friend ever!"
Alicia blushed unconsciously as she felt Stella snuggled on her body. She was embarrassed as to how Stella is so open at being friendly to her though it soothes her heart more than anything does. It was then Stella said, "Okay then, we will depart the day after tomorrow. We met up with Al in the Ship Boarding Area and board the ship there to Hamil. We go on foot from there on!"
"O-okay… anyway Stella… I guess it's quite late to ask but… why you wanted to get there?" Alicia stutteringly asked when Stella finally let go of her.
Stella was surprised for this question since it caught her off-guard. She looked to the side and then said, "Well… you see, we all agree that the green haired woman is a Spirit right?"
Alicia nodded hearing Stella's pre-question. Stella then looked at Alicia before saying, "If she is a spirit then to get more information… isn't it the best to go ask the expert of it? And Nia Khera is a place where they worship the Lord of Spirit Maxwell so I think they would know better of it. My Dad knows a lot about Spirit as well but I doubt he will tell us anything."
Alicia nodded repeatedly hearing, the sound argument, not noticing that Stella made up the reason halfway. Stella apologized in her heart as she hid the fact that she was supposed to meet someone from there and go to Kanbalar. Stella then excused herself from Alicia's room and walked back to her room.
Alicia looked at the closing door in silence as she took out a GHS from her pocket. With swift movement she pushed the button there and placed the GHS on her ears. A few beeps passed her ears until she heard that someone had picked the phone from the other side. She looked at the door once more and made sure that Stella won't suddenly appear from it and disturbed her. The last thing she wanted is for Stella or Altair to catch her red handed on calling someone that they won't want to know.
"I don't really understand their objective but I managed to get a chance to go inside Nia Khera… yes… it's the day after tomorrow… I understand Mother… I will do it for sure."
Jude sighed as he beat up another pursuer that tailed him in Maxbard. He already knew some reason why he got pursued by the remnant of Exodus, formerly a very big terrorist group that had decreased in amount, courtesy to Gaius and Muzét and the government of Elympios.
"I wonder why they still hate Milla… is it frustration? Or just plain revenge?" Jude thought as he took the Spyrix from the terrorist and crushed it using his fist. His fist ache a little bit but it was as expected since he is still half-Rieze Maxia, compared to the people from Elympios his Mana Lobe is considerably bigger.
From the depth of his mind he heard Milla's worried voice saying, "Jude, are you okay?"
Jude smiled slightly replying, "Yes, I'm perfectly fine. I don't know why Exodus is so persistent on pursuing you and me. They don't know that we are married right?"
"I don't know why but I don't think that they will simply pursue you because you are my husband Jude. Anyway Jude, could you tell me how the condition of Stella and Altair? I'm worried…" Milla replied as her tone turned into motherly when she mentioned the name of Stella and Altair.
Jude chuckled, taking out his GHS and sent a message to the local officer to take care of the pursuer. It would be nice if they could get information but as Jude saw it, the pursuer right now is a paid mercenary, so it would be hard to bail some information from it.
"They are fine… that person didn't make any move to them and I doubt that it would happen inside Fennmont except they asked for death. From what I see, that person is only a field worker, not a killer so it was relatively safe for them. I sensed your mana from Stella few weeks ago anyway, what did you do Milla?" Jude explained as his tone turned serious at the last part. If there is a time where Jude got angry to Milla, then it is one of those times.
"I just tried to contact her… but I failed because it is still not sufficient…" Milla explained bitterly as she tried to not anger Jude. She never saw Jude got very angry before and didn't want to test his patience.
Jude sighed before walking away from the alleyway and to the main road. He walked and started to talk in his head by saying, "So that's what you had done… Stella's Mana Lobe isn't matured yet and you shouldn't force yourself Milla… creating a link took more energy than simply using it."
"I know that… but I wanted to see them… by now they are 17 years old right? I'm their mother yet right now I was in this condition…" Milla reasoned with a low tone as if bottling her feeling inside.
Jude smiled slightly, knowing full well what she wanted to say. Jude then thought on how to cheer Milla up before saying, "Well, good news is Gaius found the special Spirit Fossil you created and those two are transporting it to Muzét the day after tomorrow. They also realized your existence right now though they mentioned you as 'Beautiful Golden-haired Woman' when they talk."
Milla laughed a little hearing it since it was indeed good news. She had created the Spirit Fossil for quite some time ago but sending it to Gaius proven to be another difficult task. When the delivery is done, they could go to the next step. Bearing that in her mind Milla said, "Thank you Jude… I hope they would reach Muzét soon…"
Jude chuckled before saying, "They had my name so I believe it that it won't be that easy. I was born under a weird star that made me deal with a lot of weird thing so I guess they will have an exciting journey as well considering we are their parents."
Milla laughed hearing Jude comment before saying, "I… get your point. So did you regret it then? Born under this weird star?"
Jude looked at the sea that connected the sea of Elympios and Rieze Maxia as he thought about how to reply Milla, just for the sake of messing with the Lord of Spirit. He then smiled before saying, "No… because thanks to this weird star… I get to meet you."
