Pandoria gazed through her thick glasses at the pamphlet before her. "Really? The Leftherian islands?"
"You know what Pandoria?" Zeke told as he was stuffing his bags full of clothes, "We haven't had a proper celebration of my birthday in years! And not only that, the anniversary is coming along too."
The Blade felt a little tingly as she clutched the paper to her chest, smiling up at him. Ten long years almost…and every one of them had been worth it even in difficult times.
Zeke slapped his hands together and gazed at his organization with triumph. "And I promise you this. After we goof off this one last time, I swear to you that I will do what I can to help find a proper place. We'll settle down for good."
"Really?" She cocked her head, gazing at him with a smug expression. He matched it, "What's the stink eye for?"
"I don't know…I hope you can back those words up. We've just been adrift on the Cloud Sea for ten years and all the sudden you decide you wanna settle?"
"Well…yeah. Being an adult is like that sometimes. I just think it's time to grow up, stop playing games. We'll find a gig somewhere solid and earn that nice little cottage with a view." He pressed himself against her side, holding her shoulder as he made sweeping motions. "Just think about it. Me in an apron, cooking your favorite ham and sides while you bring back firewood from the forest."
"I think you've got that a little backwards…" She blushed, cupping her eyes with embarrassment.
He squeezed her tightly and beamed, "I'll even wear a nice dress at the wedding!"
"Zeke!" She gave him a light shove as he chuckled deeply, pressing kisses to every inch of her face.
Between their earnings over the past few months, the two had enough for a small Titan ship and hopefully enough for a few months of basic staple foods. Turters ate like a king on a feast of dried berries as they started to sail off.
Pandoria gazed to the Titan of Mor Ardain, her hand grasping the core crystal of her chest. She couldn't deny that they had an amazing time there…but it had also changed the spectrum of their relationship. The Blade knew the feelings her Driver had for her were true but something just felt a bit off now.
Her body almost felt heavy, a bit distracted. Something was just off. A guilt settled deep in her soul, knowing she should have the utmost faith in her prince. But as he piloted their dingy across the waters, she couldn't help but wonder: Does he even notice?
The Leftherian islands were a massive collection of Titans in the shape of round-bottomed almost sea-urchin esque creatures with tendrils that waved gently into the sky. A few budding new islands would occasionally float about, looking for a mass to land upon and begin to grow. Although imposing and protected by massive plates of natural armor on the outside, the inner protected pieces of land were flourishing with tropical landscape and sand as far as the eye could see.
"Does this Titan move at all?" She asked with curiosity as they docked ship, and did much the same to sell it as quickly as possible.
Zeke tried to recall his education on the Titans. "I think it does, but in such a slow manner that it may as well not move whatsoever."
He placed Turters back into his cozy spot and stretched his arms out, "Well come on. Let's go have a look around!"
Pandoria hadn't really seen or felt sand like the stuff lining the islands here. It was so smooth and gentle, unlike the dusty mess of Mor Ardain. Animals here boasted strange and exotic colors. There were massive remains of Titans long ago in the form of calcified spiral shells, where birds would go to nest. Water gently pooled into ponds and massive lakes at times. The bodies of the titans were connected by long land bridges with little protection from falling off. The Blade made sure to steer her prince far from those ledges, despite him trying to watch the sea below.
"If I recall, there's a quaint little village around here somewhere."
"Why do you know so much about this place?"
"Well I studied it grandly. Addam was supposedly very fond of this place. As my ancestor, it would be only wise to perform my duties as a prodigal son and all." He stood on more solid ground, gazing at the glowing ether that was collecting and glowing softly along the body of the island. "Just think, I could be at the very same place where he fought a massive battle for his life! Or this could have been a spot where he confessed an undying love for someone close to him." He puffed his chest out with pride.
Pandoria crossed her arms, "So has this whole adventure been just you trying to mimic someone from a super long time ago?"
"500 years isn't THAT long in the grand scheme of it all!" He huffed offensively, waving his hand, "And no…It's just…" He felt his shoulders fall a little, "I suppose I have been running away."
Her mouth went askew with curiosity, "From what?"
He sighed and crossed his arms, "The world. Myself? What would even be the right answer? There's just something in me, that keeps telling me to run. Run far away and just never return. I think I still feel angry, and I never will forgive my father for his grievances."
"Zeke…"
"He's just…always going to be apart of me. No matter where I go. No matter who I tag along with. I just feel a bit…empty. I want to have a purpose. I want to feel like what I am doing has made any sort of difference. I'm in the line of a hero who helped saved the world for Architect's sake! And look at me Pandy!" He placed his hands upon his chest with a pain in his eyes, "I feel…nothing like Addam."
"My prince…we have helped a lot of people. You've done so much more for others in the past 10 years that your father ever did in his life!" She stomped with a slight frustration but warmed up a little and walked next to him. She held his cheek pointing it at her own face, "And those people will never forget you. You will always be a part of their lives, and their stories."
"Pandoria…" He felt himself relax a little as she embraced him.
"And if anything else…I appreciate you Zeke."
He held her back, and smoothed her hair out.
While they continued their journey, they passed through something neither of them ever had the pleasure of experiencing. They entered a cavern, the innards of a floating island and watched the walls curve around them for a moment. Glowing balls of ether condensed into glass-like pods were their only way of seeing massive beasts migrating to other islands. The tunnel continued until it suddenly stopped and the light was filtering in through the Cloud Sea itself. The floor was composed purely of the bottom of the ocean, lined with shells and the leftover remains of sea stars. "It's like an aquarium…" Pandoria placed her hand on the side and felt the water cover her hand. The drippings that came from her hand seemed to be sucked back up into the enclosure of water. Zeke watched with awe as a large eel swam overhead, and dissipated back into the fog of the ocean.
"You were almost that guy's dinner once…" Pandoria teased her Driver lightly. Zeke scoffed, "That creature was a lot more tame than the bastard of the one in Gormott."
A few stingrays found themselves floating about above them, only to quickly return to the waters.
"The world…really is amazing sometimes." Pandoria told softly, her ether glowing in the dim light.
Zeke was almost speechless, watching her admire the Cloud Sea. He could only smile and dreamily respond, "Yeah…it really is."
Eventually the sands transmuted into grass, as a large island covered in mountainous formations appeared. They approached it, noticing the massive curved spikes curled around the edges of its body, almost if one day they would connect to make a stunning arch. Small forests were popping up frequently. Zeke paused for a moment, and Pandoria followed. The two simultaneously looked up and spotted a group of children upon a cliff as they giggled and jumped into the sea below. "We must be close to a civilization."
"Good luck finding you having fun like that. You take one look at anything more than ten feet tall and turn green." Pandoria chuckled.
A path lazily flowed through the lush grass, leading to a set of steps. At the top, greeting the visitors from afar was a stony archway. The cottages collected about this small village were wooden and humble. Mossy cobblestone created a small barrier that guided the village borders. The tallest of buildings here was only two stories, with plenty of windows. A plethora of children of varying skin tones and accents were playing with each other in the town's square. A large fountain encircled itself from a nearby wall, where mothers tended to their babies and fathers sat to talk with old friends on faded old benches.
A dark skinned, blue hair woman called for the children to come back to the supposed orphanage and they rushed back with haste. The smell of cooking hung heavy in the air. The merchants here were so much more tame and relaxing, kicking back their feet with customers as stories were woven of wholesome tales.
"Wow…" Pandoria could feel something inside her. Her heart felt heavy, and her eyes watery, "What is this place Zeke?"
"This is Fonsett village. This was supposedly a place that Addam rested in for quite sometime, some might even call it his hometown."
"It's just so…" She was having a hard time describing it, shaking her head finally, "It's so perfect."
Zeke smiled warmly, "Why don't you take a look around. I'm going to go get some things. I want it to be a surprise."
She placed her hands in front of her and smiled warmly. The more time she spent here, the more dangerous her thoughts became. She wanted so badly to live a life her, it was like every fiber of her being was lingering and begging for her to stay.
Zeke returned in no time, watching her ponder the names of the gravestones on the edge of a nearby plateau. He offered her a hand, and the two guided each other back to the edge of the Cloud Sea.
As evening started to emerge, Zeke took out a brand new blanket and unraveled it. In the comfort of safety and privacy, the two sidled up close to one another as they watched the sun start to dip down towards the horizon.
He placed a finger up and pulled out a picnic basket. From it there was bread, fresh meat, cheese and veggies. He composed each of them a fat sandwich. Then with a slight pose brought out a bottle of cheap, but sweet, wine. Pandoria giggled, indulging herself in the meal and the presence of her driver. Zeke paused them for just a moment, "How very rude of me! A toast…to us Pandoria. May we continue to be Driver and Blade through thick and thin."
She tapped her glass along his and drank deep from it. She held his hand, and he lightly rubbed his fingers over her knuckles. "I know it's not the most extravagant meal for a tenth anniversary but…"
"It's wonderful." She interrupted, shaking her head. Zeke smiled warmly, taking her entire body into his arms as she sat on his knee. The two embraced for a moment and the final rays of light faded away. With just her glow now, they watched as one by one the stars started to emerge.
"Ah!" Zeke quickly pointed, "Look."
A star shot across the blanket of night sky. He leaned forward a bit and nuzzled the crook of her neck, "You know what they say about shooting stars right? Those who see them together are fated to stay close forever."
Pandoria blushed, feeling as innocent as the day they first met one another. "I…never knew that."
"Pandy…what do you say? I'll find us a gig here. There was…a small cottage. Just enough room for us right on the edge of town. It's landlocked and it doesn't have the best view…but…"
"Zeke! I want to stay here with you!" She turned around and nearly toppled him over. He let her body take his, and fell back, his spine now kissing the ground. She hovered over him, grabbing his wrists. He rubbed her hair gently and brought her down, letting her lay atop him. "Of course Pandoria. We will. Let's get a little bit more cash and buy that cottage. I would do anything…just to make sure you're happy."
Any doubts she had about her Driver were instantly dissipated that night. The two slept soundly under the protection of the stars.
While sorely browsing through the jobs at the local bulletin board, the blue haired woman from earlier panted as she ran up to them. She grasped her chest for air, and Pandoria helped her to stand up. "What's wrong?"
"Are you…two…Driver and Blade?"
"Yes ma'am. What seems to be the matter?"
"Sorry…I don't mean to impose…but…I'm Corrine. I run the local orphanage here. Please, hear me out." Corrine was near crying as she began to describe her situation, "A child of mine, found a core crystal. She was able to resonate with it but…I never thought that bandits…would take her. We've never had a problem with them before…why would they come here of all places?"
Pandoria felt her blood run cold, looking over at Zeke who had pin-point pupils. He slammed his fist into the side of the wooden board and grumbled, "Shit! The bastards followed us didn't they?"
The prince clenched his teeth tightly, his eyebrows knitting. "Pandoria…the bandits that have been perusing us…I am so sorry. I pledged an oath a long time ago to never destroy a life. However…kindapping an innocent child? For a Blade? They will suffer the consequences!"
Corrine pouted but shook his hand, "Thank you kind sir…who are you?"
"I'm the Bringer of Chaos. And I will smite these villains for you, in the name of justice!" The two posed heroically, "Did you see which way they went with her?"
"No…but they were trying to pose a ransom to meet me in by the cliffs of the second island."
"We'll go meet them there then." Zeke placed his hand on her shoulder, "We'll get your child back. Don't worry yourself."
"Thank you so much kind sir….you truly are a hero."
Pandoria followed closely behind Zeke, who had a determined gaze in his eye. But there was a foreboding feeling in the air, a suffocating warning of fate. Something wasn't right.