Book II: The Fourth Driver
Chapter XII
"Brighid, make a circle of fire around Mythra and then push it outward, that should keep the Scorpoxes off of her," I commanded.
Brighid drew her whip swords and did so, the Scorpoxes were knocked back just enough so that Mythra could run for it. One Scorpox got right up on her as she ran, but I shot it through with my anchor shot. Instead of bringing it towards me, I spun it around and launched it into its fellow monsters. I pulled out the Aegis sword and used sword bash to launch myself into them at an insane speed, killing two of them. However the attack sent me into the thick of them.
"Brighid! A sword!" I shouted at her.
She threw her sword like a spear, driving it into the skull of the Scorpox next to me. I grabbed its handle and finished that Scorpox before flicking the whip out, I flung the whip in Mythra's direction, wrapping it around her waist.
"Mythra, pull!" I exclaimed.
She did so, pulling me out of the Scorpoxes. There were about ten left.
"We can do it!" Mythra cheered.
"Mythra, you may want to reevaluate that...," Brighid said.
About thirty more Scorpoxes emerged from the ground.
"Titan's foot!" I yelled out. "Brighid, block them off with a fire wall, we're making a tactical retreat. Mythra, hit them with Siren!"
"Got it!" she replied.
We booked it, the Scorpox couldn't keep up. As we finally began to slow down, the earth underneath us began to shake.
"What the hell is that?" Mythra questioned in surprise as the sand began to rise in front of us.
And then standing in front of us, stinger intact, was a fifty-foot long Scorpox.
"How did this creature grow to such an enormous size?!" Brighid exclaimed.
"We're never gonna get to Uraya at this rate!" Mythra complained.
I had long assessed the situation and knew what needed to be done.
"Hey Mythra, have you ever ridden a Scorpox before?" I asked.
Mythra seemed taken aback. "Is that really an important question right now?!"
I used the whip sword I had been holding onto and wrapped it around the base of the beast's tail, also while throwing the Aegis sword at Mythra.
"Use photon edge! We're taking the stinger off this thing!" I commanded.
Mythra decided to trust me and she went straight for the part my whip sword was wrapped around, as she did so I pulled the whip sword as tight as I could. Brighid used the second whip sword in the same manner I was using mine and together we pulled off its tail.
Mythra finally seemed to know where I was going and she used the sword to hack off the beast's claws as well.
"Good! Now follow my lead!" I shouted as I jumped into the beast and mounted it.
Brighid instinctively threw me her second sword and I surrounded the Scorpox in a wall of fire, forcing it to stop moving.
"Get on!"
Brighid and Mythra both jumped on the Scorpox and I used the walls of fire to make a path straight to Uraya, I then began closing off the back end of the wall, forcing the beast to run straight for Uraya.
I didn't realize how fast this beast was. We felt the warm breeze and sand fly into our hair and faces, the sunlight that had once been unbearably seemed to now be pleasantly warm. And in a matter of minutes, we were at Uraya's gates. I took Mythra's weapon and drove it through the beast's skull, finally putting it out of its misery.
Before we could even begin talking about what just happened, two Urayan guards came rushing.
"Oy! Did you lot just ride that there giant Desert Scorpox?!" one said in disbelief.
"Yeah, why?" I asked.
"Why?!" one shouted.
"Because that was the coolest thing I 'ave ever seen, mate! Just wait til I tell me mum an' the lass!" two continued as they both walked away laughing and talking amongst themselves.
"That reminds me," I said thoughtfully. "Brighid, you may not be safe with these people, they could very well have pent up aggression towards Mor Ardain. Seeing you might set them off."
Brighid thought for a moment. "Ah, I guess that is a fair point."
I handed her a cloak I had bought previously. "Here, this will keep you concealed. And Mythra, here's one too," I said, handing the second cloak to her.
"What?! Why me?!" Mythra asked defensively. "As far as you know they could think all of this is your fault, I'd rather be safe. We'll unveil you once we get to the palace guards."
"Fine," Mythra agreed, even though she didn't like it.
We wasted no time in getting to the palace, the guards were on high alert and guarding the door. They tensed as I and my two hooded figures approached.
"If you're lookin' for trouble. I suggest you keep moving," the Urayan guard said.
"Oh no, I mean no harm. I simply bring some critical news that will effect this entire kingdom and need to alert Queen Raqura immediately," I explained.
"If I had a nickel for every time I heard that I wouldn't be working as a palace guard. Make an appointment!" he said.
"Mythra, if you please," I motioned in a calm, serious voice.
She nodded before removing her cloak, revealing her emerald core crystal.
"Do I have your attention now?" I asked, turning back to the guard.
"That ain't the Aegis," the guard said.
"What on Alrest has possessed you? Of course this is the Aegis!" I said, still calm.
"The last time I saw the Aegis, she was red, short-haired, and with her driver. Who also happened to look about fifteen years old. That ain't you," he said. "Now, if you don't mind, who the hell are you?"
I smirked, drawing Mythra's sword and looking him in the eye. I clashed against his weapon and moved faster than what he could see. I, of course, did no damage nor attacked him in any way. But rather simply moved fast enough to scare him.
"My name is Waylon," I said as I put Mythra's sword away. The Fourth Driver of the Aegis. I have come here delivering extremely important news that, if not delivered, could mean the extinction of all life. Now, unless you'd like more proof that I am who I say I am, I would like to have council with Queen Raqura. Any problems?"
He got up quickly and opened the door. "Right this way! My apologies Driver of the Aegis!"
"Thank you, and please," I patted his shoulder as I walked by. "Just Waylon is fine."
"Y-Yes sir, Waylon!" he repeated nervously.
As we walked in Mythra playfully punched my shoulder blade. "Look at you! Growing a pair!"
I laughed. "Kinda have to when I'm traveling with the two of the strongest women in Alrest."
Brighid chuckled. "I see his point."
A guard motioned us to wait before entering. Through the doors we could hear Queen Raqura herself.
"What do you mean the Aegis is here?! Why didn't you let her in sooner?! ...Her driver as well? You bloody idiot! Next time you leave her waiting I'll have you on kitchen duty for a month! You understand?!"
Mythra and I couldn't help but laugh while Brighid rolled her eyes, but we stopped immediately as the doors opened and Queen Raqura presented herself very formally.
"Greetings Aegis and her driver, how can I assist you toda—" she cut herself off when she noticed me.
"My, my. You aren't Rex! Who might you be?"
"You can relax, my name is Waylon, I am currently Mythra's driver. But don't worry, Rex is alive and well and still with Pyra," I explained, rather simply I might add.
"Ah the Aegis never ceases to confuse me, and who is this... person in the cloak?" she asked.
"Oh, it's ok to come out now," I told Brighid.
She burned up the cloak instantly and revealed herself. "I am Brighid, Jewel of the Ardanian Empire and blade to the Special Inquisitor," she said as she bowed to the queen.
"The cloak was cheap, but you didn't have to burn it...," I mumbled to myself.
"So the Special Inquisitor is not here?" Raqura asked.
"I'm afraid she had other matters of equal importance to attend to. My apologies, your highness," Brighid said.
"No need! I assume Mor Ardain is just as chaotic as anywhere right now!" she said, motioning Brighid to rise.
"Your highness I wish not to waste too much of your time so I will allow Mythra to explain the Malos and Amalthus situation before explaining the current predicament," I said quickly.
Mythra explained how Amalthus was dead and Torna was defeated. I then took my turn to explain the Cereza situation.
Her face grew rather grim. "I see, and do you have some sort of solution to this?"
"We have no game-enders as of yet," I explained. "However we do have a long-term plan to make it difficult for her to divide the people of Alrest."
"I'm listening...," she said.
"I brought Brighid here as proof that we believe that we, as the separate nations of Alrest, can join together into separate factions of the same nation. Working together in harmony rather than plotting against each other in strife. You may be skeptical as of right now, but let me invite you to a conference between you, Emperor Niall, King Zeke, Rex, the Aegises, and myself to discuss this in detail."
She seemed like she didn't hear me say King Zeke, or maybe she wasn't surprised.
"Very well, I accept. Where will we be meeting? I trust you will have a suitably means to gather Alrest's leaders and keep them in a safe place."
"Azurda will arrive here in a matter of days, he will be collecting everyone and the meeting will be held in the sky," I said.
"Very good. Also Brighid, if I may. Will you kindly help with the townspeople? They are all in great distress and I think it would help persuade my people to accept Mor Ardain if they saw someone with your status helping the common folk," she recommended.
"I don't know if that would be in line with the Emperor's will...," she answered.
"May I speak to Brighid for a second?" I asked the queen politely.
"Very well," she answered as I pulled Brighid aside.
"I think you should do it," I told her.
"Yes, but my duty should be to the Ardanian people and His Majesty. I'm not even authorized to be here in the first place!" Brighid retorted.
"I may not truly understand all of the politics in Alrest and what not, but I understand Emperor Niall through his actions. He once risked his life for the rulers of other nations. I don't think he'd want to see these people hurt. His duty is to his people first, but I know that he would have no issue with you helping, especially when we're trying to unite Alrest as one. It's for the greater good!"
Brighid put her hand to her chin, as she always did when thinking deeply. After weighing the pros and cons for what seemed like a few minutes, she finally turned to the queen.
"I will help your people in any way that I can, Your Highness," she agreed.
"Splendid! I thank you and all of Mor Ardain for this. You, the Aegis, and her driver may stay in the spare rooms of the palace for as long as you need. I believe it will be safer here just in case anybody has any foul intent," the queen graciously offered.
"I offer my thanks, Your Highness," I said, trying not to sound too much like a simpleton. "The Aegis and I only plan to stay one night, as we must go and sort things out in Indol."
"Don't you two think that that could be a suicide mission? With the loyalists still running around you may not be welcomed without strife," she advised.
"That's a valid point," Mythra concurred.
"I always have a plan. I'm not going to pick any fights that we have no way of winning," I said, looking at Mythra.
"Well with the Aegis by your side, I'm sure you both will be fine," the queen agreed. "The guards will escort you to your room, please make yourself at home! Brighid, I have a separate place for you, just to ensure your absolute safety.."
After thanking her, Brighid left with the queen and we were escorted to our room.
"Uh...," I began to question.
The guard stopped me. "My apologies, but we cannot afford a separate room for the lass, but we do have separate beds with a curtain for privacy."
I looked at Mythra. "Is that alright with you?"
Mythra sighed. "As long as we stay in our own beds there shouldn't be a problem."
The guard acknowledged this and left, we set down our stuff before eating the last of our food before it spoiled.
"We'll go get some more food tomorrow," I promised. "We'll just have to make sure not to challenge each other this time."
She laughed a bit. "Oh we're definitely going to have to rematch one of these days!"
I laughed, before something started eating at me. "Hey, I'm sorry about yesterday... I shouldn't have said what I said. It wasn't right and I know you're trying to get used to me."
She looked down thoughtfully. "Yeah, I think I may have gotten a little irritated myself. I don't do well with loss...," she replied apologetically.
"Well we have a two-day journey ahead of us, and who knows what Cereza is planning... You wanna retry at working together? I'll be sure to watch my power output and you be sure to correct me when I screw up. Sound fair?"
"Fine, I'll try to be patient," she said, half laughing, but definitely serious.
"Alright, here's to neither of us sleepwalking and let's go to sleep!" I laughed nervously. She did the same and we closed off the curtain and slept.
"Pl-Please don't kill them!" I heard a man plea.
I spun around to see a young man, possibly in his late twenties, on his knees before Cereza. His hair was a dark brown and his eyes were blue, I assumed he was Leftherian, but my knowledge in the different races of Alrest was about as detailed as knowing Gormotti having cat ears and blades having core crystals.
"Then you will do exactly as I say!" Cereza scolded him.
"I'll do whatever you want! Just don't kill my wife or my daughter!" he pleaded again.
"Fine. I have business to attend to now, so you can go away," she pet him like a dog before he seemingly disappeared.
"They're dead already... aren't they?" I accused.
"Ooh careful, he's learning!" she mocked.
"What are you gonna make him do?!" I asked.
"You'll see soon enough. For now, sleep," she said. I felt fuzzy and I hit the floor.
Readability Level: 9th-10th Grade
Time Taken: 3.5 Hours
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