I feel like Mushu from Mulan when he screams, "I LIVE!" Lol. Sorry for the wait, guys.
Notes - So this prompt is going to be at least a two-part story. I'm still working on the other half. Also, battle scenes. We had a tiny one in Kindergarten with Dickson. Now it's time to step it up a notch.
little miss saigon: Is it bad to admit that I teared up in certain places as well? And listening to What a Catch Donnie? That's like double whammy. I'm glad it was on "fleek" (I didn't know that was an actual word :). Thanks for reviewing!
OnePirateWolf96: Thank you! Siblings can be quite the handful. Also, Reyn sewing? Totally going to be explained later, so look forward to that sometime in the future :) Thanks for reviewing!
P.T. Piranha: I like Juju, so it was actually fun to write from his perspective. To be honest, I like all of the characters. Even ones I know I shouldn't (looks guiltily at Mumkhar and Zanza). As for Colony 6 details, there may be a few things I twisted or made up, but it was mainly to keep the story flowing. I think the only non-voice-acted NPC I mentioned was Arda. Frank and Gareth were just OCs. On a side note, there's an eight year age difference between Sharla and Juju in-game, so Sharla would've been eleven in the first vignette. Not much of a toddler. But yeah... Thanks for the review!
Guest: I think it's a matter of preference. Some people like more of a prose flavor. I'll take what you say into consideration though. I've been rereading older chapters, and I was thinking that once I hit a further chapter like 50 or something, I'll go back and edit a few things. But thank you for the review! I appreciate it. :)
NictheWerecatqueen: It was a pleasure to write. Thanks for the review!
SubZeroChimera: Juju was interesting to explore in that prompt. I could've written from Sharla's perspective, but then we wouldn't get to see a younger sibling's inner struggle to comfort the older. It's definitely an odd feeling for some, almost like a twilight zone. Nevertheless, thanks for reviewing!
Guest: I'm glad people are in-character. It's nice to be part of a smaller fandom too. It feels a lot more friendly. As for Shulk and Melia well... I've been eyeballing this prompt for them for what feels like ages so this was conveniently timed! :) I had to do a lot of research on this one! Thanks so much for your review!
Someguycalledgoober: Everything comes back to Oakley. He is supreme ruler of all ;) Thanks for the review and the Favorite!
And thank you Nentendo Girl106734, Brend839, donalladd15, EspurrTheGreat, kenkel98, PurplePoltergeist, SapphireDragon, melancholyvivace, dqbsurf, pikachuevolves34, U-Mad Max, and ryuseikari for the Favorites and/or Follows!
Enjoy!
417. Under pressure (Shulk and Melia)
Part 1
Inhale. Exhale.
Melia pressed her back hard against the wall of Junks; it was the only way to keep her legs steady beneath her. She stared at her feet, vaguely thinking the white heeled shoes a strange and stark contrast of the dark steel floor. Her fingers scrambled on the wall in a futile attempt to find any sort of purchase as her head pulsed oddly.
Inhale. Exhale.
Luckily, the hall was empty. Every Machina were at their stations, pushing Junks to its speed limits. Linada and Sharla were still in the medical bay, frantically trying to stabilize Shulk. Outside of the room, she knew Reyn was pacing while Riki stood uncharacteristically forlorn. Fiora sat against the wall opposite of the operating room, staring intently at the sliding door as if the sheer force of her will could bring Shulk through his pain. Dunban sat beside her as a faithful shadow.
Meanwhile, Melia had stood on the edge of everything looking on. There was nothing she could've said. Words were hollow. If someone broke the silence, shattered the time freeze they were under, she knew Reyn would've exploded.
Inhale. Exhale.
She had finally slipped away from the others when Fiora reached for her brother, and Dunban responded immediately, putting his arms around her. She left because she feared her jealousy would show.
I should've known Lorithia was a traitor.
There were a lot of things she should've known. Primarily ones concerning the High Entia. It was clear that Kallian had known. She deduced that the information was a royal family secret. But why hadn't she been informed? Had Father ever planned on telling her? Or had she been kept in the dark due to her mixed-heritage?
Either way, her father had taken what he knew to the grave.
Regret sliced through her, and Melia knuckled her chest as if she could soothe the mixture of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.
The hall suddenly became cramped and claustrophobic.
Melia pushed off the wall, and walked out onto the deck of Junks. Wind whipped through her hair and wings, and briefly stole her breath. She crossed the deck, and stood near the edge. Looking out, she watched the Bionis move its earthy limbs. Melia had always known the Bionis was enormous, but flying on Junks made her realize just how tiny and weak they were compared to the titan.
Insignificant.
Melia crossed her arms in a self-hug. It was a poor substitute. Dunban holding Fiora flitted in her mind's eye. She wanted the same comfort. She wanted to feel arms around her, a cheek on her head, and a litany of indistinguishable phrases. But she dared not ask. It didn't feel proper. And if she was completely honest with herself, it wasn't their comfort she sought.
The landscape blurred, covered by a screen of tears.
She wanted Kallian. Her brother always knew what to say or do. Affection like hugs had become scarcer as she grew older, but he still knew how to cheer her up or when to give advice. He just knew.
And now he was gone.
But Melia wouldn't –couldn't- acknowledge that right now.
The cold air helped her compartmentalize her feelings. She would come back to them. Just…not…now.
Physically numb, Melia hugged herself harder, nails digging into her sides.
They were flying over the Bionis's right arm, and yellow light drew her attention down.
Not for the first time did she wonder how entire ecosystems would change as a result of the Bionis moving. Would earthquakes become a common occurrence? Were any monster species wiped out? If so, which ones and why? These questions would've set off countless scholarly debates back in Alcamoth. The endless possibilities seemed vast and foreign. Melia took comfort in the familiar yellow glow of Valak Mountain so far below. It even tugged a small smile from her.
Some things would never change.
But she couldn't know.
For deep beneath the snow, stone, and cement of Valak Mountain, it was jostled awake. Red eyes slit open. It moved its head to stretch, but stopped. Icy earth packed its limbs tight to its body. There was no give to its chains. Another rumble shook the ground as the Bionis moved once more, rattling its very being to the bone. Familiar anger lit up its gullet, building into blistering rage. Each scale lit up with a luminous red-orange glow as it snarled, Hellfire building within its throat.
Klaus… Another movement from the titan.
The chains loosened.
The day was ironically cheerful, Melia decided as she walked amongst the stalls of Colony 6. The sun shone bright and strong above their heads. Light wisps of wind gave brief respite against the heat. Not a cloud marred the deep blue sky.
It was undoubtedly a perfect day.
Much of Colony 6 would disagree, however.
A strange stillness overcame its residents. Rarely did anyone walk alone anymore. Children were ushered indoors as quickly as possible. Adults kept their heads down, and talked in low tones. If one person's voice rose, they'd get shushed by their neighbor. No one wanted to look up and acknowledge the Bionis's movements.
Ignorance was bliss after all.
Melia giggled. She couldn't help it.
Whoever had come up with that phrase must have died a really horrific death.
Her amusement earned a curious glance from Riki. The Nopon didn't bounce alongside her, but merely walked. That alone told Melia much and more about his feelings. Even so, the smile that stretched across his face was genuine. "What Melly thinking?" he asked. "Riki want to know joke!"
Her stomach lurched. "It was nothing really. Just a passing thought." She returned his smile with a strained one then hurried forward. "Reyn," she called. "What's next on the list?"
The redhead didn't respond. He walked ahead of them with his head ducked and his hands crammed in his pant pockets. Melia came up beside him, and lightly touched his arm. He startled badly. The muscles in his arm tensed as his head swerved her way. Eyes dark in anger, his glare shriveled her confidence, and her hand retracted reflexively.
An apology bubbled in her throat, but her vocal cords refused to work. Melia had seen Reyn angry before; the stars knew Riki annoyed him plenty of times, and their antics never failed to make someone laugh, but this was different. Gone was the comical anger, replaced by something rawer as he loomed over her.
"Big Hom Hom leave Melly alone!" Riki bulldozed straight into the back of Reyn's legs.
Reyn stumbled forward, and barely managed to keep his balance. His hand lashed out and caught Riki by the tuft. "Oi! What was that for, cheeseball?" he demanded, hoisting the squirming Nopon up.
"Reyn acting like dumb smelly Orluga!" Riki spat back.
"What makes you say that?!"
"Reyn scare Melly!"
Reyn's head turned to look over his shoulder. Too late did Melia think to school her features; Reyn took in her frozen stance, and whatever he saw in her expression made his eyes flicker with guilt. He took a step toward her, and though Melia didn't back away, she folded her arms over her chest. Luckily, he caught the silent message and stopped. Running his free hand through his hair, he opened his mouth then closed it. Finally, he sighed and half-turned away, placing Riki down.
"What did you say before, Melia?" Reyn asked gruffly.
"I…" she cleared her throat. "I wanted to know what was next on the list."
The redhead shoved a hand into a pant pocket and rooted around in it. He pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, and smoothed it out. He squinted. "Cleaning oil for Dunban's sword, books for Sharla-"
"And big fish for Riki!" Riki chimed in.
"That's not on the list!"
"Plans change. Riki want big fish!"
Reyn crushed the list as he clenched his fists. Crouching down, he knuckled the Nopon's head. "If you want it so bad, then get it yourself," Reyn snapped. He stood and stalked off.
Their outburst and brief scuffle had drawn onlookers. None were particularly friendly. Melia ducked her head, and did her best to ignore them as she knelt next to Riki. The Nopon rubbed his head, making his tuft even wilder. "Are you alright, Riki?" Melia murmured, mindful of her volume.
"Heropon should ask Melly that! Not other way!"
Melia pressed her trembling hands tightly against her thighs. "I am unharmed." It wasn't a lie. Reyn didn't lay a hand on her. And already she was inwardly berating herself for being frightened, no matter how briefly.
"Reyn treat Melly bad," Riki insisted. "Friend should not do that."
"He didn't mean it." Melia was certain of it. "Reyn is merely…uneasy from Linada's news." She had to force those last two words out. Linada's latest update on Shulk made her stomach tighten into a ball of knots just thinking about it.
Shulk's heart had stopped. Twice. Linada and Sharla managed to resuscitate him a third time, but shock had driven the blonde into a deep sleep that Linada termed coma. It wasn't certain whether he would wake up or not.
Reyn, along with Fiora, spent the majority of his time by his friend's side. Except for bathroom breaks, he rarely left. Sharla had eventually pulled Melia aside, and asked her to take Reyn out for fresh air on the pretext of a shopping trip. Dark bags hung under the healer's eyes. Melia only agreed on the condition that Sharla took a nap before she collapsed.
Reyn's protests had dwindled into a sullen silence, and it was so uncharacteristic that Melia had been relieved when Riki volunteered to go as well.
"Everyone has bad days," she concluded.
"Still not right." Riki shook his head adamantly.
"Maybe not," Melia admitted. "But under the circumstances, it's understandable."
Riki searched her face with a strange intensity. It reminded her of how a father would look at a child, possibly a daughter-
Abruptly, she stood and began walking. It wasn't the same direction Reyn had taken, but Melia didn't particularly care. Riki called her name. The concern made her shoulders hunch, and her strides lengthen. Little patters of feet hurried after her, but Melia sped up until she was nearly running.
"Melly! Bird Lady!"
Childishly, she clasped her hands over her ears. Stop, just stop. Leave me alone, please, just leave me be.
The vendors and their stalls blurred as she ran, paying little attention to the people who leapt out of her way. She swerved around corners, ducked into alleys, and ran and ran and ran. Her wings fluttered uselessly under her headdress. I wish I could fly. Fly high, so very high.
Buildings gave way to trees, and stone turned to grass underfoot.
Finally, Melia had to stop and breathe. Hands on her knees, she panted heavily.
Her mind caught up with her actions, and the sudden sense of ridiculousness that overcame her was overwhelming. Hands clenched into fists as shame turned into anger. Running away? Since when had she become a fledgling? There was no excuse for her behavior.
Straightening, she looked around. No sign of Riki. If she had to guess, Melia would say she was in the southeast portion of the colony. The scent of freshly grown grass wafted her way as a breeze ruffled her hair. Benches ran along the side of the path. A half-erected playground stood two yards away, its odds and ends accumulated through scavenging.
She was alone.
Without children, the playground seemed more than just empty. It looked abandoned and sad. Imagination would bring it to life. But its usual visitors were locked up tight in their homes. It was funny in a way. The playground was no safer than any house in the residential district, but adults would use their own form of imagination to pretend otherwise.
Something small and hard bumped against her ankle. Melia nearly jumped out of her skin. A wooden ball that could fit neatly into the palm of her hand lay beside her feet innocently. Melia blinked. Her eyes traced the invisible path the ball must've rolled before slowly sweeping up.
A male fledgling, no older than forty years, stood across the path. Turquoise eyes glowed faintly, marking him as pure-blooded. In High Entia culture, it is said that the Bionis's blood flows strongly in those of pure heritage. Their ethereal glow signified their favoritism and superiority out of all the races. After her biological mother passed away, it slowly and painfully became clear that Yumea would never love or accept her due to her mixed heritage. She wasn't pure; she was filthy. For that reason, Melia used to resent her brother.
But now…looking into the boy's eyes, Melia felt sick to her stomach. A wave of pity hit her hard. The boy before her wasn't blessed, but cursed by the blood that flowed in his veins. High Entia were merely pets to be used and discarded at the will of Zanza.
The surrealism of her lifetime views being flipped upside down made her clench the back of a bench to keep from falling down.
She was snapped from her reverie when the boy smiled mischievously and gestured towards himself, the wings on his head twitching.
Blinking away the wetness that pricked her eyes, Melia bent down and retrieved the ball. "Is this yours?" she asked, straightening. The boy's smile only grew wider. It was rather infectious, and despite herself, Melia's lips tugged up in a small smile. "Here," she said, extending the toy.
The boy made no move to get it.
Melia took a step forward, and the boy took one step back. She tried again only to have the same result. The boy's smile never wavered. Melia paused in confusion. "Do you not want it back?" she asked him.
Instead of responding, he made another gesture. Studying it carefully, Melia realized he wanted her to do. She bent down, and rolled it. The boy clapped once, and snatched it up. A tiny giggle escaped her at his joyous expression. She waved at him, and turned to go.
The ball bumped into her leg again.
Frowning, Melia picked it up and turned back to the boy. He was gone. She looked around. Further on by the slide, she saw him with his back to her. She set the ball down, and gave it a good push. It parted the grass rapidly, and bumped the boy in the ankle. He jumped, a giggle escaping him. Melia let out a little laugh herself. Revenge was sweet.
He turned towards her, grin growing even wider, and their impromptu game began.
Back and forth they rolled the ball. They used the entirety of the playground. Melia feinted right then sent the ball left, making the boy scramble after it. His grin never faded as they played. It was refreshing to say the least. Even though he was surrounded by so much fear and distress, he still managed to smile in the face of it all.
I bet I can wipe that smile away. If he knew-
Melia shoved that dark thought aside and refocused on the game. Riki would've loved playing. That made her pause. Guilt rose in her throat. She looked around uncertainly. Was he looking for her now?
Knowing Riki, he was.
When the ball came her way again, she plucked it off the ground and held it out. "I apologize, but I'm afraid I must go."
The boy tilted his head; Melia found him hard to read. Was he confused about the abrupt end to their game or merely disappointed? She couldn't tell. It unnerved her to a degree.
"Here." She rolled it, and turned on her heel.
One step hadn't been taken before the ball collided with her legs again. Facing the boy, she crossed her arms. "I have to get back to my friends." His smile faded a little. Melia softened her tone. "We can play later," she promised.
He gestured at the ball. She obligingly picked it up. Before she could give it back, he held up his hand then made a shooing motion. "You want me to keep it?" Melia asked slowly.
The boy nodded. He cupped one hand as if he were holding the ball. With his other hand, he made a twisting motion as if opening a jar. Melia understood. She held the ball up for closer inspection. Nothing visibly stood out. She smoothed the pad of her thumb over the wood, and felt the tiny line that divided the ball in two halves.
Firmly holding the ball with both hands, she unscrewed the top off.
A folded piece of paper lay inside. Melia glanced at the boy. He merely smiled. She turned back to the paper and unfolded it.
Lady Melia,
Time is short, and the danger grows. Not every High Entia has met their end. I have information. Go to Talonyth's restaurant as soon as you get this. Tell him "the bird has flown the coop." Come alone. This is for your ears only.
Eyes narrowed. Melia swung her head up sharply. "Who are you-?" she trailed off.
The boy was gone.
This was a trap.
Melia stood across the street from the proposed meeting place with only her thoughts to keep her company. She brushed her fingers along the Imperial Staff. The feel of it was still unfamiliar, but the weight was reassuring. It was almost as if Father and Kallian were here-
She strode purposely towards the restaurant, chin held high as her teeth grit together.
The bell above the door tinkled as she entered. It occurred to her that she'd never been inside before. Wooden tables and chairs lined the cobbled walls. In the middle of the dining floor was a pit where people could sit around a fire brazier.
Faint embers licked the coals when Melia wandered over to inspect it. The smoke gave off a pleasant lemony smell, and she realized suddenly that it was laced with spices from Alcamoth. Home. It smells like Home.
"A customer?" someone gasped behind her.
She whipped around. The High Entia male, Talonyth she presumed, looked very out of place as he gaped at her. His wing tips extended past his shoulder blades, and his long gray hair was pulled back in a low ponytail. The formal black uniform he wore was at odds with the cozy atmosphere.
"Hello," she greeted him hesitantly.
Her voice seemed to snap him out of his reverie. "A customer!" he cried out joyously, clapping his hands together. Then, abruptly, he was all poise. He bowed, and held his hand out. Melia took it, and was treated to a proficient hand kiss. "My lady," he said, drawing her away from the pit. "I must beg forgiveness for my inexcusable laziness. I will have the fire going and get you a menu."
"Oh, there is no need-"
"Nonsense!" He rooted around behind the host's podium. "Would you prefer a seat close to the fire or by a window?"
"Actually," Melia began, heart pounding. "I'd like a seat where the bird has flown the coop."
She didn't know what she expected. He didn't freeze up, didn't reflexively glance her way, or didn't even give a nod to show he'd heard. He just kept shuffling through different leather-bound menus, muttering to himself. Just as she was debating whether or not to repeat herself, Talonyth straightened. "Here we are!" he exclaimed.
He gave her a menu then placed his hand on the small of her back, steering her past the fire pit and the tables by the windows. They came to a door on the far side of the bar. He left her side to hold the door open. Inside was a staircase. "Upstairs, second room on the right, my lady," he said breezily. His face held no deception.
Melia cautiously entered the room. As soon as she crossed the threshold, Talonyth closed the door behind her. With one hand on the Imperial Staff, she ascended the stairs. It was a clever rendezvous location. She didn't have any delusions about sneaking up on this informant; the stairs creaked loudly enough to announce her arrival.
There was a short, narrow strip of hallway when she reached the top. Six rooms total, three on each side. One had to be Talonyth's quarters, another a bathroom, and the other four possibly guest rooms. Melia paused at the second room on the right, hand on the knob. Steeling herself, she entered.
The room was sparsely furnished. A bed and dresser took up the bulk of the room in opposite corners. An ether lamp rested on a table, throwing weird shadows across the walls. The curtains were drawn.
The room was empty.
Melia frowned. Did Talonyth give her the wrong room? Her eyes roved around the space uncertainly.
From the shadows emerged a hooded figure, and Melia had to fight down a flinch. Her hand tightened on the doorknob instead.
"Thank you for coming Lady Melia," the figure said.
Melia's eyes widened. She recognized that voice. "You!" she gasped.
The female lowered her hood. Dark gray hair had been carefully brushed away from a narrow face. Her usual green headdress highlighted the green in her turquoise eyes. She loosely crossed her arms; Melia identified the self-hug.
"You…you were Moth- Yumea's handmaid."
"I was," the female acknowledged. She smiled wryly. "I'm a bit out of a job now, aren't I?"
Melia couldn't believe it. "You were brought in for questioning!"
Her smile faded. "I was released. They couldn't link me to the Bionite Order." She gestured vaguely. "I thought a change in scenery was necessary."
"They couldn't link you to the Order, but you don't deny that you were part of it?" The resulting silence was all the confirmation Melia needed. She blew out her breath slowly and spoke through grit teeth. "Give me one reason I shouldn't walk out right now."
The female watched her quietly. "I know you are fair," she said finally. "You won't leave before you hear me out. I will not lie to you. There is too much at stake." She took a seat at the table, and gestured to the chair opposite. "So please."
Slowly, so very slowly, Melia let her death grip on the doorknob relax. She closed the door behind her, and took the three steps needed to reach the chair. Jerkily, she placed her menu on the table and sat down. "What information do you have for me…?" Melia trailed off. Faint embarrassment prickled her skin.
The female understood. "Oh," she chuckled and shook her head in wonderment. "In all those years, I never introduced myself." She placed a hand on her chest. "Nymira, if it pleases my lady."
"Well Nymira," Melia stressed, testing the name out. "I repeat, what information do you have for me?"
Nymira reached into her left sleeve –Melia tensed- and pulled out a slip of paper. She placed it on the table and withdrew her hand. Warily, Melia accepted the slip and studied it. "Coordinates?"
"For Valak Mountain," Nymira confirmed.
"Why?"
Nymira loosely folded her arms on the table and leaned forward. "Do you know the creed of the Bionite Order?"
The memory came to her murkily, a history lesson from so long ago. "What is born of the Bionis is returned to the Bionis."
"Precisely. From the moment a new member is initiated, they are trained to obey and uphold the creed. Failure is not an option. For the first few centuries, the Order was content with their simplicity."
"You mean killing anyone who would not follow their faith," Melia cut in sharply. "Your faith."
"I do not condone the Order's past actions," Nymira said quietly. "Nor am I an actual member. You learn a lot from the sidelines as no one pays attention to the servant."
"Why didn't you report this? You would have had imperial protection."
The older female shrugged, eyes slipping to a point beyond Melia's shoulder. "Lady Yumea was kind to me. Not all the time, mind you, but she took me in and gave me a job. Perhaps it was gratitude that prompted my silence. Maybe misplaced loyalty in the creed. Not every member thirsts for bloodshed. When Lumian the 47th Emperor disbanded the Order, members fought amongst themselves. A fraction had doubts about fulfilling their ultimate destiny. They wanted to survive the cycle of rebirth, carry on so the Lord Creator always had loyal servants. A backup plan was hatched so to speak." She gestured to the coordinates.
"A hiding place," Melia murmured, looking at the numbers with new eyes. "Valak Mountain is known to be a harsh environment. Raw ether deposits are rare." She met Nymira's gaze. "Why are you giving me this?"
"I want you to bring them here."
"So the Bionite Order can flourish once more?"
"No." Nymira shook her head confidently. "This faction can be reasoned with."
"How can you be certain?" Melia challenged.
"My brother is the leader of the evacuation."
That pulled Melia up short. "Brother?" she asked ever-so-softly.
"No one in the Order knew about Lorithia's surprise ether attack, and if they did, they've most likely transformed by now. My brother was in Alcamoth when the attack took place. I'm hoping he made it out with whomever he could round up." Her voice broke slightly. "Lady Melia, I beg of you, this is my last hope. I- we just want him to come back."
Oh. "The little boy," Melia whispered. She clutched the Imperial Staff harder until it warmed under her grip, charged by the tumult of emotion.
"His name is Lucan," Nymira said with a sad smile. "My brother is his father."
A lump took up residence in Melia's throat as the boy's smile and laugh darted through her mind. "Where is he now?" she asked.
"Outside playing. He was practically bouncing off the walls this morning. He has so much energy, sometimes it's hard keeping up."
"He's very energetic," Melia agreed.
"I wish he could find a friend." Nymira's gaze darkened. "Everyone is afraid."
"Well, it's understandable. The Bionis has reawakened and-"
"I'm not talking about the Bionis," she cut in curtly.
It took a moment, but then Melia understood. "You cannot mean-"
"They are terrified of him because he's a pureblood," Nymira spat. "The High Entia have been shunned and ostracized because the residents here are afraid we will transform."
"But there is no high concentration of ether here," Melia protested, wings twitching in agitation. "And not every refugee is pureblood."
"Try telling them that! Talonyth is near bankruptcy because no one will chance it." She took a deep breath and continued quietly, "No one should be treated like they're inferior. I understand that now. I don't want them to be afraid. For Lucan's sake as well as every surviving High Entia's. So I ask again, will you help us?"
The silence stretched. Melia closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. She already knew her answer. Exhaling, she opened her eyes. "I will help. You have my word."
Dark clouds buried the stars as Melia hurried back to Junks. The messenger bag Nymira had given her bounced on her hip with every step. She would have to tighten the strap before she reached Valak Mountain. Within it were basic food and water supplies, along with a small first-aid kit. The coordinates were kept in her pocket, and every minute, her hand would flit over them to make sure the slip of paper hadn't disappeared.
When she finally reached the Machina airship, she paused to catch her breath. Hopefully Vanea was still on duty; she was the only one Melia trusted not to balk at her request.
Straightening, Melia relaxed her shoulders, and stepped onto the deck.
"It's a little late for a stroll, don't you think?"
Melia nearly jumped out of her skin. "Dunban!" she gasped. "Don't do that!"
Under the overhang, the swordsman pushed off the wall. He rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
"It's quite alright," Melia said somewhat stiffly.
"Everyone was worried," Dunban said lightly. "Riki and Reyn searched the entire colony twice."
Guilt prickled through her. Eyes dropping, she loosely crossed her arms. She would beg their forgiveness for her childish behavior, she decided.
When she didn't respond, Dunban took a step closer, and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Is everything alright?" His hand was warm.
Melia turned away, brushing off his gesture. "I'm alright. I merely ran into a…an acquaintance. She has a problem, and I told her I would help."
"Do you need assistance?"
She paused. Truthfully, backup hadn't been something that crossed her mind until now. Shulk was obviously out of the question. Sharla was needed here. She wouldn't ask Fiora or Reyn to come; that'd be too cruel. If Shulk didn't make it –Melia cringed- then the both of them would need all the support they could get, so Dunban wasn't an option either. All that left was Riki, and while Melia loved the Nopon to pieces, she wanted him to stay too. If anyone could brighten someone's day, it was Riki.
Nymira was also quite firm about keeping quiet about the mission. Melia trusted her friends, and yet… she still hesitated. Asking for help wasn't something she was used to. Growing up, people had already perceived her differently due to her mixed heritage, so she never wanted to give them reason to think lesser of her. She either figured things out or she suffered in silence. It had always been that way.
Habits were difficult to break.
In the end, Melia shook her head. "I don't need help." It came out a lot more stubborn than she'd intended.
"Are you sure?"
The inner conflict poked at her conscious. Melia slapped it back down, and pursed her lips. "I can do it," she snapped. Without waiting for Dunban's response, she turned on her heel and entered Junks. She strode down the hallway into the control center. Miqol and Vanea were both there, talking quietly.
Miqol, upon seeing her, broke off from whatever he'd been saying. "Melia," he greeted. "How may I be of service?"
She straightened. "I'm sorry to intrude, but may I speak to Vanea in private?"
Vanea looked at her curiously then glanced at her father. Miqol waved her off. "We can discuss it later." He turned his massive metal body to look out the window, obviously lost in thought. Vanea sighed, shoulders slumping slightly. She signaled for Melia to follow her.
They exited the control room, and headed up the ramp to the second floor. As they passed Shulk's room, Melia hesitated.
"There's been no change," Vanea said, coming to a stop beside her. "His vitals are stable, but he-"
"Won't wake up," Melia finished. She forced her body to move on, hands clenching.
Vanea led her into a room two doors down. "Is here alright?"
"Perfect," she affirmed. A frown tugged her lips. "I didn't mean to interrupt you and your father."
"There's no need to apologize," Vanea said, waving her hand. She hesitated briefly before continuing, "We were discussing funeral plans."
"Funeral?"
"For Egil."
"Oh," Melia breathed. There wasn't much else to say.
"I know his motives and means were questionable, but-"
"He's your brother."
"Well yes, I-"
Melia held up a hand. "You don't need to defend him. He's family. I understand." So, so much. "It's wrong of me to keep you, but I…I have a request."
Everything was nice and warm. He huddled deeper into himself as he drifted. His limbs were loose and numb. A hollow pulse took up residence in his head. Something was nagging him; a thought struggled to get loose. It felt urgent, important somehow. He whined. He just wanted to stay in his cocoon a little while longer. Five more minutes wasn't so much to ask for, was it? Still, the feeling of urgency persisted.
Shulk looked up from his knees.
And stared.
Stars, millions upon billions of stars littered the black abyss. With a vague start, Shulk realized he was floating. But that wasn't quite the case. Rocks of all different sizes and shapes drifted by him, but he remained firmly in place. "Where am I?"
His voice echoed and faded.
Then it all came rushing back. Stark memory of sharp pain lingered in his body where a small metal bullet had torn through flesh, muscle, and bits of bone. He knuckled his chest absently. Dickson…shot me…then… peeling, sucking sensation like a person emerging from water. But it wasn't Shulk. Zanza.
"Oh," he mumbled. "So I'm…" A chuckle escaped him. Then another. And another. They escalated into howls of laughter bordering hysteria. Shulk couldn't help himself. It was just so damn funny.
He drew his knees close as his guffaws dwindled into snickers. Lips stretched wide in a wry smile, and he shook his head. "What was I doing? What was the purpose of my life?"
Revenge. For Fiora. For Colony 6. For the Emperor. For every single person who had their lives ruined by Mechon. It always came back to revenge. But somewhere along the way, it all changed. Amongst the tumult of emotions when he realized Fiora was Silver Face, there had been a spark of curiosity. Upon meeting Egil for the first time at Valak Mountain, it grew into a burning, nagging puzzlement. A yearning to know more, to understand why.
Then he did find out. But at what cost? He could visualize his friends waiting for him. Reyn with his impatient arm roll, Dunban with his good arm always resting on the hilt of his sword, Riki bouncing up and down, Sharla with her calloused hands, Melia with her shy not-quite-there smile, and-and…
Playful green eyes attached to a surprisingly unmarred face that he just wanted to touch to make sure she was there and alive and not dead-
"No." He lowered his arm. "I've got it wrong." How could he reach for something that never existed in the first place? His breath came in shallow pants as the cold, cold implications of his situation finally sank in. "I was never alive. It was Zanza! All along! I…" He crushed his knees to his chest as he rocked himself. "Everything I did was…"
"Do you want to say… 'pointless'?"
His head shot up at the familiar voice. A light appeared. Like a curtain, it parted the darkness with a multitude of muted colors. "Nobody else can decide that," said Alvis as he stepped through into the abyss. Shulk rose to his feet as the Seer approached. "Only you."
There was a beat of silence that seemed to stretch as endlessly as this strange world. Shulk had so many questions. However, before he could voice any of them, Alvis gestured him forward.
Taking the first step felt like sloshing through knee high mud. His body didn't want to move from its spot.
You'll fall, his mind whispered cruelly. There's nothing holding you up anymore.
Shulk kept his eyes focused on Alvis. It helped the nausea. When his foot came down, it connected with what felt like a solid path.
He didn't look down to check.
After that, the air became heavier, and his chest felt congested. Still he struggled forward. Alvis never offered him help, only looked on passively. Always an observer. In this case, Shulk was semi-grateful. He wanted –needed- to do this by himself. Learn to hold yourself up. That's it. One foot after the other.
By the time he took four steps, he was exhausted. His limbs trembled from the pressure, head bowed low. His heart threatened to give out. But he made it. The purple jacket he clutched in white-knuckled hands proved it. Shulk looked up at Alvis and grinned tiredly.
A side of the Seer's lips briefly quirked up in what could've been a smile. His fingers pressed against Shulk's temple.
And the path disappeared from beneath him, and he was falling…
…Until he felt a jerk in his navel like a rope going taut. He looked around. A gray, rippling landscape stretched before him. A vision? It wasn't a normal one. The gale of icy wind testified to that. Snow fell in light flurries and he shivered.
Someone ran past him.
The moment Shulk realized it was Melia, an enormous shadow raced overhead. It wasn't shaped like any monster he'd seen before. He looked up-
-And felt a tug in his navel.
Jagged rock scraped his palms as he pressed against a cave wall. The air reeked of some noxious fume he couldn't place. The ground reverberated every few seconds like someone pounding a drum. Melia sat on her knees a few feet away. Her lips moved, but no sound came out. She slowly stood up as a section of the cave ruptured. Shulk glimpsed red eyes and a long snout just as the world was engulfed in flame.
Burning flesh invaded his nostrils. Heat lapped at his clothes and skin. Was…was he burning? Where was Melia? Where was she?
Two shadowy figures walked in the flames. One was significantly taller than the other, its body strangely shaped. The smaller one held a staff- Melia. With Vanea. But…why…? They were at Colony 6, or at least the area around it. But Shulk could vaguely make out Melia's crumpled form in the cave. Melia stepped on her own body as she talked to Vanea. The two visions overlapped, intertwining so tightly that Shulk felt nauseous.
A charred face rose from the ashes, both cheeks peeling and dangling as the skin melted.
Melia smiled directly at him.
Then the cave collapsed in on itself.
The first thing Shulk did when he woke up was puke. He rolled on his side, and heaved the meager contents of his stomach onto the floor. Melia! The thought drove him to sit up, and the resulting dizziness nearly made him fall off whatever table-like surface he was on. Eyes squeezing shut, he firmly ignored it, and swung his legs over.
Sharp pain ripped through his chest. He stumbled into the wall upon standing, fingers scrabbling for purchase. Goosebumps rose on his bare arms, and he belatedly realized he was shirtless. Bandages wrapped around his chest and over his left shoulder. A small red blob leaked through. But that wasn't important. Melia. I need to find Melia. Blearily, Shulk looked around the room, and spotted his sweater and red vest folded neatly on another table. He dragged himself over and slowly and painfully pulled them both on.
Black spots appeared on the edges of his vision. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as his breath hissed in and out. Move. Find Melia. Find her. Warn her. Melia and Vanea had been standing next to something big and bulky. It had looked like an airship.
Shulk eyed the door across the room, judging the distance. It seemed like ten miles away. But he had to cross; he had no choice. Find her. Warn her. As he stumbled forward, something green caught his attention. Leaning against the table-bed was a sword reminiscent of the Monado in its resting form. Shulk changed his direction.
The weight was heavier, but it comforted him. It pressed harshly against his wound.
Shulk gritted his teeth, and made for the door.
The door slid to the Medical Bay open, and Sharla entered, rubbing her eyes. She let out a jaw-popping yawn. That three hour nap had done wonders. She'd have to thank Melia later.
"Now if only I could convince Fiora to get some rest. Maybe I'll set Melia on her," she mused. "What do you think Shulk?" No response. "Still haven't woken up, huh?"
Her gaze finally focused, and she took in the room. The first aid kit clattered to the floor. "Shulk? Shulk!"
There was no sign of the blonde.
Melia stretched her arms over her head. Wind whistled through the trees, briefly breaking the hot humidity. Bugs formed their own choir of noise, and distantly she could hear the deep croak of a Makna Brog. She turned to her companion. "Thank you for the ride."
"It was no trouble, Melia," Vanea replied, and then hesitated.
"What's wrong?"
"I just…this all seems so sudden. And a bit reckless. Are you sure you want to go alone?"
"I can take care of myself," Melia snapped, crossing her arms.
Vanea looked stricken. "I didn't mean it like that."
Guilt prickled and squirmed beneath her skin. Slowly, her shoulders slumped as her wings twitched self-consciously. "I know. I'm sorry, Vanea. I just…everything's been…difficult lately." A pause. Then in a very small voice, "How do you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Get up every day knowing…?" She couldn't finish the question. Understanding flashed across Vanea's face, and she put a hand on Melia's shoulder.
"I won't lie and say it's easy," she said softly. "There are still days I wish I could rewind time. Maybe there were words I hadn't thought of. Ways I could've convinced him. But he's gone, and he was gone for a long, long time. I've accepted it."
"What if it hurts too much?" Melia whispered around the lump in her throat. Gone. That terrified her. Accepted. It was too final.
Vanea squeezed her shoulder. "Take your time."
I can't. "I have people depending on me."
"All with their own wounds to nurse and mourn."
"I should be stronger."
"To do what?" Melia looked up in surprise. Vanea's sad eyes and voice were firm, "Rebuild the Mechonis's arm? Build an entire Mechon army? Egil had rage. Egil was strong. He still died because he shouldered on more than he could bear, and refused to share the weight."
"I have no choice." An Empress belonged to her people. She had to bear the weight because she didn't trust anyone else to do it fairly. Vanea didn't understand the treasonous nature of the High Entia court. Melia had been naïve once. Never again. It was on this level she thought she could understand Egil.
"Everyone has a choice." With another squeeze, Vanea let her hand drop.
Vanea watched Melia until she disappeared down Valak Pass. Then she busied herself with preparing for flight. The airship she had 'borrowed' was a prototype of Junks. It hadn't been used in over a decade. Thus, it hadn't been upgraded to current air-travel standards. Fuel changes were needed after every flight.
She walked to the storage compartment and froze.
The hatch was open.
Cautiously, she crouched down and peered inside. Nothing out of the ordinary. She counted the fuel tanks. Just as many as when she had first closed the hatch. And she had closed it; she was certain.
Her eyes narrowed onto something dripping on frame of the door. It was red. Did the tanks leak? Vanea looked down, and noticed the trail. It wove around the airship. She followed it until she reached the very edge of Valak Pass where it vanished amongst the wind and snow.
"Summon Flare," Melia whispered. A ball of flame materialized at the head of her staff. Imbued with a nurturing quality, it raced around her body, and quickly warmed her. The snow came up to her ankles, and she regretted not wearing sturdier boots. Drying off would have to wait though.
Melia shivered, and it wasn't from the cold.
Valak Mountain was quiet.
She had yet to run into any monsters, and that troubled her. She ploughed straight through Chilkin territory, but no angry birds accosted her. Some of her luck could be attributed to her outfit; white did blend into white. The wind shrieked and threw light snow flurries. Her ball of flames spun faster to counteract the worst of the chill.
Melia paused by one of the giant ice crystals, and placed a hand flat on its surface.
Did the Bionis awakening cause this? Was Valak Mountain only a freezing wasteland now? Melia hoped not. It only meant any survivors had an even slimmer chance of remaining alive. Melia closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Night couldn't come fast enough. The yellow lights would appear within the ice, and make navigating easier. And…it would make her feel more at ease.
She opened her eyes.
Slit pupils watched her through the ice.
Gasping, Melia stumbled backwards, rear hitting the ground as the enormous thing reared up, wings five times as wide as the ice shard. She barely had time to draw her staff as the monster crossed its forearms and slashed down in an X shape. The giant ice crystal shattered like a mirror, shards flying.
"Refle-" The attack tore through her spell like paper; she flailed head over heels through space.
When the earth smacked her back, Melia couldn't breathe. Her chest cavity struggled to pull in oxygen as her wrist twitched uselessly, a dull throb echoing like a weak heartbeat.
The ground crunched and rumbled beneath her. A weird hissing pervaded over her gasps. Air pressure increased, and the monster loomed above her, roaring. It wasn't any ordinary monster; Melia could feel its power, and it was staggering. A shimmer of green flickered around it, a green you could only find in an ether stream. A green that could kill in an instant.
Then inexplicitly, the pressure disappeared. Melia dug her fingers into the snow, and pushed herself up. Her eyes spotted alien blue light. No, it couldn't be… "Melia, look out!" Snow whacked her in the face; she looked over; a spiked tail hurtled at her. Eyes widening, Melia could only stare in morbid fascination.
In a blur of motion, a figure skidded between them. Clang! Melia gaped.
"Shulk?" she whispered.
Knees bent, head bowed, arms straining, Shulk struggled under the weight of the monster with a strange new Monado.
"Melia!" he roared.
Melia was jolted by the sheer panic in his voice. She looked around wildly. Where was her staff? Where was it?
The split second she spotted it –dark gray about twenty feet away- Shulk toppled into her. His breaths came in heavy pants, and Melia didn't like the blank look. She twisted and pushed him up, letting him lean on her. Something thicker than snow touched her hand. Melia glanced down and saw blood. Oh.
Of course his wound hadn't fully healed. But why was he out here? Were the others with him?
As her thoughts ran in circles, the wind stopped. As did the snow. The sudden lull was disquieting.
Her eyes traced the dark scales up, up, and up.
For the first time, she got a proper view of the monster.
It was as if someone had taken a strong wire, wrapped it around the dragon's snout, and pressed in to form the mouth, peeling back the skin to reveal rows of pointed teeth. Four crooked horns rested malevolently on its head. Down the neck and body, faint orange lines ran between the purple-blue scales like a furnace. The red caught her attention. It shouldn't have been so apparent from where she sat, but those eyes held her like a fly in its web.
Amber red, the monster hiding under your bed. "If you don't behave, Abaasy will snatch you away."
She started when Shulk hauled himself to his feet. "I'll distract him," he said roughly, sparing a glance over his shoulder. "Get your staff."
"N-no, wait!" Melia made a grab, but missed. Without missing a beat, she hauled herself to her feet, and sprinted after him. As she did, her vision tunneled. Shulk's red vest grayed out and became her focus as her mind took a step back and watched. Everything took on a sluggish filter. The monster leaned down almost leisurely, teeth closing completely around Shulk's torso. It shook its head. Shulk screamed as gray liquid squirted everywhere. The sickening green aura leaked through the gray. Shulk's scream was cut off. Silence echoed.
Melia blinked. Color flooded back.
Twelve seconds. She had twelve seconds before that sub-vision came true. Turning on her heel, she ran left. Ten feet. Nine seconds. Melia gathered her ether. Three feet. Five seconds.
She snatched up the Imperial Staff. The metal thrummed as her ether charged up through the shaft. Its gems started glowing. One glance told Melia all she needed to know. Positioning herself, she cocked her arm back. "Shulk!" she screamed. "Duck!"
She threw her staff as hard as she could.
Heart in throat, she watched it sail through the air.
Three seconds.
Two.
One.
It flew over Shulk's shoulder, narrowly avoiding his head, and lodged itself in the green aura. As if it had a mind of its own, the Imperial Staff pushed through, gems glowing impossibly bright. There was a suctioning noise.
The monster's aura broke.
Roaring, it stumbled back, shaking its massive head. Shulk didn't waste the opportunity, jumping up for an Air Slash. Unfortunately, he couldn't attack and block simultaneously. Just as the attack connected with a forearm, the other one lashed out, and caught him in the side, flinging him away like a rag doll. Shulk landed limbs askew. He didn't get back up.
The dragon leaned down, jaws agape.
Melia was already moving. Numb fingers fumbled with her bag's clasps. Curses slipped out as she ripped the bag open, and grabbed the nearest thermos. She unscrewed the top. "Hey!" No reaction. Aggroing wasn't her forte. What would Reyn do? "Your mother was a salamander!"
That got its attention.
Melia had the distinct feeling it was more incredulous than angry.
Her staff lay a few feet to her right. Inching towards it, she kept up her spiel. "That's right. Salamander. Your mother." Inwardly, she cringed. Way to be creative. From the corner of her eye, Melia noticed Shulk stirring. She tried not to give any indication of her relief. Bending down, never taking her eyes off the monster, she picked up her staff. More movement from Shulk. Melia waved her staff tauntingly. "To think a simple attack would bring you down."
Lips drew back in a snarl. Fire built in the back of its throat; Melia was staring at the gates of Hell. Suddenly her impromptu plan had too many flaws. But there was no backing down. She braced herself.
And Shulk didn't disappoint.
The new Monado slammed into the dragon's head, effectively knocking the flames off course a couple inches. Melia ducked low and ran. Closer and closer until she saw her reflection in one amber eye.
Without thinking, she doused it with soup.
Roaring turned to screaming. Melia clapped her hands over her ears. She felt the screams in her bones; felt it reverberate in the mountain. A hand grabbed her arm, and she opened her eyes (she hadn't realized she closed them). Shulk, mouth moving urgently, was tugging her along. Looking up, she understood.
Prompted by the surreal shrieks, layers of snow were collapsing. Converging.
Toward them.
Shulk transferred his grip to her hand. Melia nearly tripped from the following yank.
They ran. But they weren't fast enough.
Melia ate snow and dirt as chest high snow knocked her over. Her arm wrenched painfully. Shulk's nails dug into her wrist before being torn away forcefully. Eyes squeezed shut, Melia didn't know which way was up or down. She didn't know where Shulk was either. Briefly surrendering seemed like the best solution. Like a tidal wave, the snow dragged her along carelessly, slamming and scraping her against rocks. Her bag snagged on something, and Melia's forward motion halted abruptly, the strap constricting her remaining oxygen. Hands forced their way through the pressure to clutch the strap. But any attempt to lift it was futile. She was stuck.
Black spots appeared in her visions; the world shushed her softly.
At least she would see Kallian and Father soon….even Mama.
"Who's ready for a bedtime story?"
"Me!"
Her eyes closed.
The moment he lost his grip on Melia, Shulk fought to get to the surface. When his head broke through, he gasped for air. The gash in his side burned and stretched. He flailed, trying to get his bearings. Every movement was a strain; the snow was packed heavily on all sides. He looked around wildly.
"Melia!" he screamed, voice echoing.
There was no answer, and he couldn't see any sign of her. Still, he refused to give up. "Melia! Where are you? Melia!"
The avalanche had taken them further down Bagnar Snowfield. Hollow Bone was nearby, he vaguely realized. A plan started forming in his mind. If he could just get them to the lower levels of Valak Mountain, they could regroup there.
But first he had to find Melia.
Shulk wished he had Riki's Burninate or Dunban's Battle Eye. If he had a skill to melt the snow or somehow lock-on to Melia's location….That's it!
Reaching over his shoulder, he grasped the hilt of his Monado, but didn't draw it. He focused hard. Using Monado Arts was practically second nature, but now he had to use his own power, not whatever fragment of Zanza the self-proclaimed god put in his body as a child. It was like training with Reyn; Shulk had to build up his 'muscles.'
"Enchant," he whispered. A soft purple aura briefly surrounded him before shooting out in search of non-Mechon weapons. It stopped about thirty feet behind him, hovering and sinking into the snow like a beacon. Shulk braced himself as he awkwardly half-crawled, half-slithered through the snow. The worst of the avalanche had passed, but snow was still sliding; misplaced hands and knees sent large portions tumbling down. Progress was slow. White turned red as he crawled along; his sweater clung uncomfortably to his wet bandages. He tried to ignore it.
Finally, finally, he reached Melia's spot just as Enchant faded. Gritting his teeth, frozen fingers shoveled snow away. Two wings revealed themselves. Encouraged, Shulk dug until he uncovered Melia's face. She was pale and unmoving, and for a moment, Shulk thought the worst. He put a finger under her nose, and waited with baited breath. The smallest puff of air greeted him. Shulk swallowed heavily, silently thanking the stars.
"Hold on. I'm going to get you out," he said, getting back to work. When he found her upper body, he slipped his hands under her armpits, and attempted to pull her free.
She didn't budge. He quickly found the problem.
Shulk gave her bag a good tug. "Come on. Come on!" he grunted.
There was a sudden displacement in the air, the sound of flapping wings. Looking up, he saw the monster circling. Shulk's breath caught. Oh no. Turning back to Melia, he tapped her cheeks urgently. When she didn't wake up, he sat back on his heels to survey the situation. The bag was pinning her. It didn't have a breakable strap. But maybe if he tried pushing her under and out…? A low boom rumbled the ground, a heavy weight landing.
Shulk flinched.
And went on auto-pilot.
He pressed on Melia's shoulders hard. A little gasp burst from her lips, eyes flickering under her lids. "Sorry," Shulk mumbled. Inch by torturously slow inch, he worked her out. There was a bruise on her neck, extending across her throat and down her collarbone. He shifted, putting Melia over his shoulder and standing up.
Hollow Bone wasn't far. But he'd have to run.
Shulk eyed the distance, feeling nauseous.
They could make it. They would.
Whatever Melia had thrown at the monster was affecting its vision, one eye half-closed. Shulk waited until its head was turned then ran, kicking up snow.
Despite its eyesight being impaired, the monster wasn't deaf.
Red and black weren't the best colors to blend in either.
Halfway to the cave, Shulk tripped, landing awkwardly on Melia just as a wave of fire passed overhead. The roar was deafening. And the snow began picking up momentum. Not again. Please not again. Shulk shoved himself to his feet, yanking Melia up as well. He hugged her to him and fought. Fought for every step. If he went down, they would both go down, and Shulk wasn't entirely sure if he would get back up.
The world narrowed down to the girl in his arms and his destination. Don't let go. One foot. Never let go. Now the other. Icy wind scratched his face, and stole the air from his lungs.
They reached the cave's entrance. Shulk chanced a glance back. The monster was gone. Confused, he halted, panting, and looked around. Not a trace. A cloud of steamy air ruffled his hair. Slowly, his eyes moved up. Like a lizard, the dragon clung to the rock above the cave, claws digging gouges.
Shulk didn't wait for the attack.
He ran.
And slipped on ice.
That's right, he remembered too late. Hollow Bone is one big Slip-and-Slide.
Head met ground with a sickening crack.
To Be Continued...