Answering reviews:

RedBurningDragon: Hey, thanks for the compliment :)

For now he will fight alone using the gauntlets. The energy blades from the beginning will be used again but he only uses those to kill and because most of his enemies so far have been human he uses the gauntlets specifically to avoid killing. I do intend for him to fight much like DLC in the future though, you're going to have to wait to see it in action!

Early update but LordOfTee's review has made me want to get these "copy paste" chapters out of the way before I take more time to work on some original content. Also that other fic won't come out this week, sorry but since I'm going to be working on this for the majority of it as well as school. Now on with the show!

Akhos immediately dodged the bulky mercenary, his blade coming in and using Vandham's momentum against him, chucked him far away from the battle. Akhos himself used that to his advantage to send a pulse of energy out in an area, knocking back the entire team.

"Such an honor! Sharing a stage with the legendary Aegis!" Akhos exclaimed as he walked towards the Aegis, slashing his swords downward onto Pyra.

Pyra cried out in pain as she fell to her knees.

"Ugh!" Rex yelled out as identical wounds appeared across his chest.

"Huh?" Akhos said, puzzlement in his eyes, "why would the Driver…"

"It seems… that they're taking each other's damage, somehow," his blade realized.

"Ah!" Realization dawned in his eyes, "so that means that the Aegis… is a mere mortal right now…" he gave an almost sadistic grin, "in that case, a little more damage, and she'll be easy to deal with!" He stabbed his sword at Pyra who moved her head to dodge at the last second. He continued the assault, slashing his sword through solid rock as he tries to cut Pyra. He pulls his sword out and brought them down in a X shape.

Pyra screamed in pain.

"Pyra!" Rex shouted.

Akhos grunted as a sudden gust of wind pushed him away from Pyra.

"Kids these days, I swear!" Vandham joked, "can't leave you alone for a minute!"

"Could use a hand!" Rex exclaimed.

"Leave it to me. I'll take this dog down!"

Brandon suddenly rushed in from behind, sending a burst of electricity through the blade. Recoiling slightly, he set up a charge on his gauntlets, sending out a burst of energy in a shockwave, knocking Akhos and his blade back. Vandham assisted by throwing his scythes up to Roc who then flung a tornado at the pair.

"Gyah!" His blade exclaimed, "what's happening?!"

"What? The ether flow's disturbed!" Akhos said, "gah. How am I supposed to deflect now?!"

"You and your fancy moves. You lack grit," Vandham said.

"Urgh!" Akhos grunted as the tornado died down enough for him to see the entire group converging on him, "just too many of these bit-players… My interest has waned. Obrona! Perhaps it's time for another tale." Akhos said dismissively as he turned around and jumped away..

"Sure, sure…" his blade teased as she followed him out of Garfont.

"Tch," Brandon gritted his teeth, "arrogant then cowardly, exactly what I hate in these people."

"Pyra!" He turned around at Rex's call. Rex had run up to Pyra, supporting her unconcious figure. Brandon and Nia rushed over to help, Brandon taking out first aid supplies while Nia drew upon Dromarch's power. As the blood flow stabilized, the pair rushed Pyra to the infirmary and worked on treating the unconscious blade late into the night.

"How is she?" Vandham.

"She's not badly hurt. Dromarch thinks she just needs rest," Rex responded.

"That's good to hear," Vandham let out a breath.

"Maybe...I used too much power again…" Rex looked downcast.

"Hey, Rex…" Vandham said.

""Hmm?

"Know what the difference is between me and that Akhos fella?" Vandham asked.

"Well, he's a bad guy, trying to get Pyra...and you're...not?" Rex asked, unsure of the answer.

Vandham gave a laugh, "thanks for the vote of confidence, kid." Vandham paused, "but 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 got his."

"But what he's doing is-" Rex tried to say wrong.

"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," Vandham explained.

"I think I understand," Rex nodded slowly.

"We all got our own war, kid."

"My...war," Rex wandered back to the inn, lost in thought.

He fell into a turbulent sleep. The next morning, he shook Brandon awake, he had wandered in late at night after worrying over Pyra. The two made their way to the infirmary.

"Good morning!" Pyra exclaimed as Rex and Brandon walked into the infirmary.

"Pyra! Feeling better?" Rex asked.

"Yeah! I slept so much!" Pyra did a stretch."

"Good. Glad to hear."

"Also… Brandon, Nia's got something to talk to you about," Pyra added.

"She does now does she?" Brandon smiled at the Gormotti girl who looked exhausted after tending to Pyra for most of the night, "what's up?"

"Ah, erm…" She stuttered nervously.

"Go on," Pyra prompted.

"I... Brandon...I want you to come help me," Nia said quietly.

"For what?"

"To Vandham," she explained, "I need to tell him about my past with Akhos and all that lot."

"I mean sure," Brandon readily offered, "but I just want to say something before Vandham does. I've said it before and I'll said it again, you're part of our family now. I've personally got a feeling that Vandham's going to say much the same."

"...Thanks."

"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…" Nia stuttered out.

Brandon gave a small chuckled then offered a hand, "well then, what are we waiting for?"

"Oh, it's you guys?" Vandham said upon seeing the group approach him, "what got you out of bed so early?"

"Nia's got something to say," Brandon took a step back, leaving Nia at the front.

"I wanted to say… thanks for yesterday. That guy, Akhos, I mean... I wanted to tell you about him, you see… Thing is, we used to be…"

"Being a mercenary... You meet all kindsa different folks," Vandham interrupted.

"Huh?" Nia asked in puzzlement.

"Your country, family, money... People got plenty of reasons to fight," He gave Rex a pointed stare and grin, "like fightin' for a special girl. I see that a lot. Though not every girl has a strange crystal in her chest, eh?"

"Y-you mean Pyra?" Rex stuttered, "w-we're just…" Brandon let out a laugh.

"Nia, you're with these guys right now. That's what matters," Brandon gave Nia an elbow and a pointed 'I told you so' look.

"But...aren't you…"

"Anyway. Rex, weren't you saying you wanted to get to Elysium?"

"Yeah... But we hit a snag…" He said, "with a monster like that in the way," Brandon's face grew dark, "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?!" Rex asked excitedly.

"Yeah. I gotta go there anyhow. So I could introduce you," Vandham said.

"Vandham! Thank you!"

"Nah! It's destiny or something. Don't sweat it. Get your stuff together and meet me by the village entrance."

Vandham strode off while the group headed back to the inn to gather their belongings and headed to the village entrance.

"Time to head out. Yew! Zuo! Take care of this place, yeah?"

"No worries. Leave it to us, Boss!"

"Boss. You're in a good mood somehow!" One joked.

"Hehe, I guess so. Well, take care!"

Vandham started walking, the group following along behind him. As they headed through a tunnel, Brandon couldn't shake off a weird feeling.

"Ha ha ha!" A voice exclaimed the moment they stepped out. Two cloaked figures stepped in front of the group from their hiding spot, "looks like all the chat about the Aegis was true!"

"Who're you?" Rex asked.

"That's a heavy burden you have there. Sure you're up to it, pipsqueak?" He said while striking several poses, "see sense, step aside and let the big boys take charge. C'mon. Yield the merchandise!"

"Huh? What? Vandham, do you know this guy?" Rex asked in utter bewilderment.

"Never seen him in my life," Vandham crossed his arms.

"Bah!" The man exclaimed as he and his blade threw off their hoods.

Brandon raised an eyebrow.

"Wait...are you…" Rex lifted a finger, trying to think.

The man gave an arrogant smirk.

"Uh, never mind."

The man and his blade leaned back dramatically. "You really are a bunch of rinky-dink, bogus, two-bit, no-mark Drivers, aren't you? Behold the mighty...
Zeke!
Von!
Genbu!
Bringer of Chaos!
Mostly known as Zeke. And often addressed as...THE ZEKENATOR!

Behold my Blade! Pandoria! And this is my sword, the Purple Lightning Dreamsmasher! If you want a taste, come and get it!" The self proclaimed Bringer of Chaos exclaimed boisterously.

The entire group blinked at him. "We're good." Rex dismissed and walked right past him.

"Good?! No?!" Zeke looked astonished that no one took him up on his challenge, "w-wait… Wait! You barbarians!" Zeke put on a sudden burst of speed with his blade, charging to take position in front of the group again.

"This guy... I'm tired of him already," Nia sighed.

"Gah! You think you lowlifes can lick the three of us?" Zeke boasted.

"Three of you? I count two. Lost someone, or are you just that bad at counting?" Nia snarked.

"Huh?" Zeke looked confused for a second. "Oh, get a load of this… Our beloved mascot… Turters, reveal yourself!" He felt around in his jacket for a moment before coming up empty. "...Huh? Turters? Turters?! Turters, where are you, boy? Turterrrrs!" Zeke started scanning the area around him for his beloved pet.

"Oh!" Pyra exclaimed having seen a small turtle crawling up beneath her, "hello, little guy! How are you? What are you doing, out here all alone...?"

"Ah-ah-ah!" Zeke exclaimed seeing his turtle resting in the palm of the Aegis, "Turters!" He rushed forward, snatched his turtle from her hands, "handling a man's turtle!" he spat at her before rushing back to Pandoria.

"...He could have just grabbed Pyra there. Why'd he go for his turtle instead...?" Rex looked confused.

"Ugh. What an idiot," Nia groaned.

Zeke perked up at that comment "Gah...! Listen, whatever. She'll be mine soon enough! Got a problem with that? Then come at me! And don't hold back!" He drew his sword once more then struck a pose.

"What! Is this guy for real?" Nia pointed in disbelief. Brandon just face palmed.

Everyone rushed forward to engage Zeke at once. Zeke was quickly overwhelmed and knocked back to the edge of the cliff.

"G-good try. Not bad. B-b-but! Wipe yourselves down and get ready for my super-ultra-mega-move!" Zeke cried.

"We're waiting with bated breath. For your super-duper-whatever," Nia snarked.

"You asked for it!" He yelled, Hyaargh! Bringer of Chaos! Ultimate Lightning Fury Slash!

"Erm…" Pyra stuttered.

"Whoa!" Zeke cried as the ground underneath him started rumbling.

Zeke and Pandoria screamed as the cliff shattered underneath them and they tumbled down in the black below.

"Wh-what just happened? They just…" Rex was at a loss for words.

"Ugh. What an idiot," Nia said.

"Don't see that everyday," Vandham said in amazement.

"Come on. That's enough nonsense," Nia said.

"Yeah," Brandon agreed as they marched on.

"War with Mor Ardain is looking more and more likely by the day," Dromarch commented, noticing the abundance of warships hovering around the capitol.

"Looks like they've expanded the military program. That's a lot of warships," Vandham added.

"These ships look different to normal ships," Poppi said.

"Yeah, we don't muck about with our Titans much. No need for it. Urayans like things pretty natural," Vandham explained.

"I've seen Urayan ships before, back in Argentum. It's like the total opposite of how the Ardainians use them," Rex added.

"That could be one reason they're always at each other's throats," Dromarch said.

"They've been like cats and dogs for a long time," Gramps mused.

"Well, from where I stand, the Ardainians are worse. All that metal's just bad taste," Nia said in disgust.

"Ha!" Brandon exclaimed, "that's not the only reason they're worse. Personally if I had to take a side it would be Uraya. They're the ones fighting for the freedom of places like Gormott. I'd rather have freedom fighters than war mongering imperials any day," Brandon's voice took on a dark edge.

"Brandon…" Rex tried to say.

"Look, we can go over my history later, for now, let's meet this person Vandham's taking us to, yeah?" He said and started walking.

"What's that?" Rex pointed as they were walking through the center of the city.

"It's a distribution center," Vandham explained, "the government tries to ration out what little resources they have. In practice, it's just first come, first served."

"OK. That's the last one for today," they hear the stand runner call.

A child that was last in line looks up eagerly. Suddenly a soldier pushes her out of the way to take the rations offered.

"Ah!" Pyra yelled as she started running toward the stand.

"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 soldier said harshly to the girl, "Uh? Don't look at me like that! Respect your elders, you snot-nosed brat!"

"Are you OK?" Pyra kneeled down, comforting the girl, "what do you think you're doing?" She directed toward the soldier, "She's just a child!"

"What?!" The man exclaimed in rage.

"H-huh? Who the hell are you?" He demanded nervously as the rest of the group caught up and surrounded the soldier.

"Rex... This isn't our business. Leave it!" Nia hissed.

"Being an adult isn't just about barking orders. Sometimes you need to help someone weaker!" Rex ignored Nia to reprimand the soldier.

"Shut your face! You don't know what the hell you're talking about!" The soldier yelled back, drawing his twin rings.

Brandon shook his head in disgust. "You're the reason why I hate soldiers." Brandon gestured for the others to back down. He activated his gauntlets, the mere sound of metal clanging and hydraulics whining set the soldier on edge. Then the gauntlets start crackling with electrical energy. Brandon grins savagely as he charges the soldier, ducking under the clumsily swung rings and socking the soldier in the gut, his metal armour simply serving as an extra conductor.

"Wh-who are you?" The soldier pants as he slowly recovers from the electric shock. He looks over the group.

"Th-the color of that crystal! You're...! Waaaaah!" He cried as he ran off.

"Really?" Brandon said in disbelief, "I'm the one who beat him up then he runs off in fear of the Aegis?"

"Not good. He'll be bringing others before long," Gramps said.

"The rumors about Pyra must have traveled pretty far. Even grunts like him have heard 'em," Vandham said.

"Sorry... I guess I should have used the cloak…" Pyra apologized.

"But who spread rumors?" Poppi asked.

"From what I hear, it's some fancy-pants Nopon merchant," Vandham responded.

"A Nopon merchant...?" Rex mused to himself.

"Excuse me, Mister Vandham?" The girl from earlier runs up to the burly mercenary and tugged on his shirt.

"Uh? Oh! Well, if it isn't Iona! You grew a fair bit! How's Grandpa Cole doing?" He looked at her expression, "ah... Not too good, then."

"Who's this?" Rex asked.

"Uh? Ah, this is Iona. That old friend of mine takes care of her."

"Hi, Iona. Great to meet you!" Pyra squatted to greet the girl.

"C'mon. Let's beat it before those soldiers show up."

"Theater?" Brandon asked.

"Yup, it's a theater, all right," Vandham responded. The guy we're here for leads the troupe here."

"Ugh," Brandon muttered under his breath, "I guess some things stay the same.

"Ahh. Actors, eh," Rex said over Brandon's grumbling.

Vandham took a look at the information board outside, "...And right now ...they're in the middle of a show... Well? Wanna take a quick peek?"

"The Heroic Adventures of Addam. Might be interesting." Dromarch said.

"I've never been to the theater before," Rex said excitedly.

"Neither has Tora!" Tora exclaimed.

"Let's do it! Nice and quiet though. Looks like it's pretty packed today."

"OK!" They responded.

"And I saw at that time that the powers of darkness had engulfed almost everything!
People and Titans alike were drawn into the abyssal vortex!
The apocalypse was upon us! The end was nigh!
But then! Despite the wounds all over his body, the great Addam stood…"

"O Architect! Grant me power!
Power to banish the dark! Power to illuminate the world!
Lo! Loyal servant of the Architect! The Aegis!
O Aegis! Bless me with your power! Bring light upon the world!"

"Thus, they defeated the darkness.
But at a terrible price!
Three great continents sank beneath the sea of clouds forever."

"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!"

The audience erupted into applause as the play came to a close.

"Hey," Nia tapped Rex's shoulder, "kind of awkward, right?"

"What was awkward?" Rex asked obliviously, Brandon shaking his head at him as he walked by.

"I mean, that play...it was about Pyra. Must have been kinda bizarre for her, eh?"

"I dunno... I guess?"

"Maybe you should go and make it right."

"Make it right? How?"

"Idiot. Figure it out yourself!"

"Huh? What am I supposed to-?" Nia walked off.

"Hey," she walked up to Brandon, "your brother's not the most socially adept is he?"

"Not really," Brandon chuckled. "I have yet to see him hold a full conversation with a girl without making a fool of himself."

"Well, he'd better learn quick or I bet even Pyra's patience will wear thin," she said.

Brandon snorted, "I'll take you up on that, that girl's just as oblivious as Rex is, either that or too nice to say anything." Nia laughed along with Brandon as they catch up to Vandham.

"Comin' in, old fella!" Vandham declared as he barged into the room, the group following along behind him. "Crikey! Still collecting the junk, are ya?" He joked.

"Watch it, you bruiser! Don't make fun of a man's hobbies!" The old man shot back.

"Some greeting for your old comrade!"

"Comrade?" Nia asked.

"Yeah, I was a freelancer, before the firm got going," Vandham explained. "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!"

Vandham gave a laugh, "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 you cross over to the World Tree... Get to Elysium, I mean."

"Elysium? But why? Why would you want to go there?" Cole looked over to the rest of the group. "That Core Crystal! You... You're…" He exclaimed. "So, the Aegis is back amongst us... Who is your Driver?" He said, composing himself.

"I am," Rex stepped forward.

"You? But you're so young…"

"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?"

"Yeah... But we couldn't make it," Rex hung his head.

"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?"

"Yeah. I'll wager anything he's got an idea how to get there again. You should try asking him."

"Who was it?" Brandon said impatiently, annoyed at Cole's playing of the pronoun game.

Cole gave no response as his mind wandered.

"Please, tell us!" Rex begged, "I've got to get to Elysium, no matter the cost!"

"Well, I can tell you," Cole relented, "but first I'd like to have a word with her, if I may. With the Aegis, I mean."

"With Pyra?"

"Of course," Pyra readily agreed.

"Please, through here."

"Mister Cole, was it? You wrote that play, didn't you?"

"I hope it didn't stir up any painful memories…"

"No... Some of them are...good memories," Pyra lied.

Cole chuckled softly. "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," Pyra admitted.

"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…"

"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," Pyra said, a fire burning in her eyes.

"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…" He smiled.

Pyra chuckled softly.

"Okay then. I'll help you out."

"Thank you…" She hesitated, "Minoth!"

"Minoth... I'd almost forgotten that name…"

"Now then, where did it get to...?" Cole stooped over to rummage through his desk. A sudden coughing fit overtook him.

"Grandpa!" Iona exclaimed, bursting into the room.

"Old man! You OK?" Vandham asked worriedly.

"I'm fine... I'll be fine in a second…" Cole continued coughing, "seriously, don't mind me…"

"Nah, we'd better call it a day, old timer."

"I'm sorry, fella," Vandham looked down at Rex.

"Yeah, okay," Cole agreed. "But come back again tomorrow, will ya? "There's something I want to give you."

"Come on, Vandham gestured, "I know a place we can rest."

Hopefully that was a decent chapter. I hope to be able to make the chapters longer and longer as 4k words seem kind of short as I go back through and re-read but I can't seem to top that. Before anyone comments I'm assuming because Ether is some kind of energy in the air that blades draw upon I was like, a burst of electricity like an EMP should be able to effect the flow of Ether, especially if in game a tornado is enough to disrupt it. I also never really liked that Vandham was able to counter the Ether manipulation like that so easily before but is unable to do it later. Brandon keeps on hint dropping his past as well. He talked with the rest of the group. That's pretty much the chapter. I'll see If I can get the next one up tomorrow but we'll see.