Chapter 21
Understanding
(Just so we're clear, Hilda and Rio did not have sex. They just shared a futon.
Also, I'd like to apologize for the unplanned hiatus. It was just one thing after another over the last few months. Between a bedbug infestation, various health problems, and moving to a new apartment, I just got overwhelmed with everything.)
In the shadows of the back alleys of Misurugi, a lone figure in a hooded jacket made her way through the winding urban maze. It had been three days since Julio's disastrous attack on Arzenal and in that time, Lizardia had found herself completely cut off. Following her people's own failed assault on Arzenal with the Ryuu-shin-ki, Lizardia had been ordered to stand by until the false humans unveiled their response. However, events unfolded at a rate far greater than she anticipated and by the time she had returned to Misurugi, Embryo had already secured the palace. From what little she could gather, he had taken residence in the Imperial Palace by claiming guardianship of Julio's younger sister Sylvia. And if that was the case then he had already found out what the child had discovered about Lizardia the night she had wandered into Julio's room during one of their trysts. Lizardia knew she should have silenced her permanently, but the thought of killing a child, even one of her most hated enemies, had left a bitter taste in her mouth. So she had poisoned the girl enough just to keep her in a coma until her own mission was fulfilled.
From behind a corner, Lizardia peered out at the Dawn Pillar as it rose up against the night sky. It was a risk getting this close to the Imperial Palace but she had to try and reach her comrades. Once she saw the way was clear, Lizardia darted across the road and vanished into the cover of the Dawn Gardens. Had she looked up however, she would have noticed the man in black spying on her from the rooftop.
"The rat has finally poked her head out," Dark broadcast. "Move in to intercept."
As Hilda woke up, the first thing she noticed was how empty her futon felt. "Rio?" she slurred as she rubbed the haze from her eyes.
"Over here." From the doorway that led out onto the balcony, Hilda's knight leaned against the frame as he looked out onto the canyon that spread out beneath their room in the shrine's keep. Like her, he was wearing a robe supplied to them by Salama-whatever. Adjusting her own, Hilda went to join him just in time to see a trio of DRAGONS she had never seen before fly by their window. Scythe like horns sprouted from the back of long beak like heads while wings that seemed to grow from the rear limbs instead of the front carried them across the sky. "It's almost like a fairy tail isn't it?"
"That's one way of putting it," she agreed. Taking Rio's right arm, Hilda gently ran her hands along its length. "Does it still hurt?"
"A little better," he assured her. "I did some shadowboxing when I first woke up to get the kinks out." Hilda frowned but supposed there were worse ways to aggravate a healing limb. "What about you? Did you sleep alright?" Hilda smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. It was actually an interesting experience, sharing a bed with someone where she hadn't had to perform. Especially considering it was with a man. But despite him offering the whole futon to her, she had assured him it was fine and curled next to Rio as his warmth soothed her into a sleep she hadn't experienced since she was a little girl.
"Yeah. Actually I did." At that moment, a second door opened and Ange stepped out onto the balcony as well, her expression a mixture of sleep and wonder as she watched another pack of rear wings fly by
"Oh hey," she said. "You guys just wake up too?"
"Pretty much," Rio said. "Our hosts should be arriving soon so let's take some time to go over a few things." Following Ange back into her quarters, Hilda noticed that one of their group was missing.
"Where's Tusk?" she asked as she plopped down on a piece of furniture, only to cry out when her seat began to grunt and convulse. As Hilda leapt off, she and Rio looked down to see what they had first assumed was a couch was actually Tusk wrapped up in a spare futon.
"Oh yeah," Ange remembered. "I forgot you were in there."
"Will you just untie me already!" Tusk gasped, sweat beading his brow. Shaking his head, Rio grabbed on to Tusk and tugged him to his feet.
"Is this some kind of fetish?" he asked.
"Hey I offered to let him bunk with you if Hilda traded with me but she wouldn't agree to it," Ange pointed out.
"That's because I wasn't about to leave Rio unguarded with that crazy doctor on the loose," Hilda reminded her.
"Yeah well I wasn't about to sleep in the same room as a sex deviant," Ange countered.
"How many times do I have to tell you I'm not!" Tusk argued. "The Doctor said she wanted to run some tests and before I knew it I was tied to that bed."
"Can we focus," Rio interrupted. "We need to figure out what our next move is."
"Don't we already know?" Hilda reminded them. "According to what that Kaname girl said, Sala-whats-it wants to learn about us."
"And you believe her?" Ange grumbled as she untied the cords securing Tusk's futon. "Don't forget these are the same people who've been trying to kill us all this time." As the mattress fell free of his upper half, Tusk gave a sigh of relief as the cool air of the room rushed in to greet him.
"Yeah but if they still wanted to do that Ange then they would've," Tusk panted.
"I agree," Rio said. "And with what we've learned yesterday about this Aura and Embryo, that's a grudge we may not be able to afford anymore. We'll play nice for now and see what we can further learn about them and this world. Now, there's something I've been meaning to discuss with you all."
"Which is?" Hilda asked.
"When Embryo stripped me of the Light of Mana, he mentioned an 'Aura' and asked what I was to her. I didn't know what he meant at the time but it sounded as if he was accusing me of being in contact with her." The room fell silent as the others exchanged perplexed looks.
"So then, what does that mean?" Ange finally asked.
"If I had to guess it would mean that Aura was somehow speaking to me through the Light of Mana," Rio answered. "It makes sense in a way. If she's serving as a power source and Mana can be used as both energy and communication, then that means she's connected to every Mana using human in our world."
"Which would explain how you were able to heal so fast after the DRAGON's assault," Hilda realized. "But why you?" Rio shrugged and waved his hand at a fly that began buzzing around his head
"That's one thing I can't figure out. But let's not tell Salamandinay and the others about it just yet. After all, with the Light of Mana stripped away, even if we weren't in another world, I've been cut off from her entirely."
"I agree," Ange said. "There's no telling what they might do. Especially in regards to their own agenda."
"Come on Ange," Tusk said. "Can't you just give them the benefit of a doubt?"
"If you want to trust them then go ahead. Me, I'm not falling for their act one bit." As she spoke, Ange undid the third strap surrounding Tusk's knees. Meanwhile, the fly buzzing around Rio's head began flying around his ear and making him increasingly agitated.
"Beat it!" he snapped as he released Tusk to swat away the insect with both hands, As he did, Tusk began to wobble from the sudden lack of balance.
"Whoah whoah whoah!" he cried as and he began to lean forward.
"Watch it!" Ange cried. Before any of them could grab him, Tusk pitched forward on top of Ange wearing nothing but his shorts, his flailing limbs pulling Ange's robe apart and down her slender frame as he attempted to right himself. "Hey watch your hands!" Ange yelled as the door to the chamber suddenly opened.
"Good morning," a familiar voice called out. From around the screen separating the tea corner from the rest of the room, Sala and her two attendants appeared only to stop when they saw the pile of entwined limbs and stripped fabric on the floor before them. "Oh my, is this part of your morning copulation ritual? By all means, please continue."
After even more confusion, such as Rio and Hilda holding Ange back from beating up Tusk, the group followed their escorts to the keep's dining area. Unlike most other rooms, this one was actually pretty heavily furnished with two columns of low set dining tables running its length. And at one table, on two of the cushions set on the floor, two familiar figures were already eating breakfast.
"More please," Vivian chirped as she held out a bowel to Lamia who accepted it with an indulgent smile.
"Now Mi please remember to chew," the older woman reminded her.
"Sure thing, Your Mother." Rio heard a low growl and looked over to see Hilda looking away with a frown.
"Oh hey!" Vivian called as she saw them "Morning guys!" From her seat, Lamia turned around to greet them.
"Good morning your highness!"
"I trust you both rested soundly?" Salamandinay asked.
"Actually," Lamia continued, "I spent all of last night talking with my daughter."
"Yeah and I'm exhausted," Vivian yawned.
"I am glad to hear it...now then," she said as she turned to them, "If you please, I would like you all to join us for breakfast."
"Sounds good," Rio said. Taking a seat at the table next to Vivian and her mother's, the group looked over the spread that had been prepared for them. It was certainly more varied than any Rio had ever seen before. In addition to traditional items like rolled eggs, bits of fruit, and slices of meat. He also saw bowls of steamed rice, vegetables, and fish along with bowls of soup and dipping sauces. Well when in Rome, he decided, though it would be nice to have some of Boss's coffee blend.
"We have plenty so help yourself," Salamandinay invited. Taking up a pair of eating sticks, Rio looked over and saw that the others weren't quite sure what to do. "Like this," he demonstrated. Holding one stick in the gap between his thumb and forefinger and the second between his fore and middle finger, Rio flexed his hand and the sticks moved in a pincer. "You can also stab with the tips."
"I see you are familiar with the use of hashi," Salamandinay observed.
"Just another thing I learned from Kamaitachi," Rio answered.
"He seems like quite the interesting person," Naga said. "To think that he would know the same traditions that we use from our ancestors."
"Perhaps one day we may have the honor of meeting him in person," Kaname said. "For curiosity's sake, is he looking for a wife?"
"Unfortunately I'm afraid he's dating another friend of mine."
"Oh I see," Kaname sighed.
"Now now let's not be disappointed," Salamandinay said. "After all, we have plenty of guests who are fascinating enough." Her eyes wavered toward Rio when Ange suddenly elbowed him.
"Why are you being so casual?" she hissed. "For all you know they could have poisoned this stuff." On Ange's other side, Tusk overhead their conversation and stared down at the noodles that trailed from his mouth to the bowl he held in his hand.
"For one thing," Rio said, "they wouldn't be eating the same food if it was."
"Yeah well what about Vivian? How do we know that's really her mother?" Rio looked over at the two of them. Vivian was happily stuffing her face and Lamia was content just to watch her. "For all we know it could be an act."
"It wouldn't surprise me," Hilda commented. "You really think she'd still be waiting for Vivian after all this time?"
"Well," Tusk said, "they do kind of look related. And they sure do act like family." Ange shot him a dirty look just as her stomach began to growl.
"You should eat while it is still warm," Salamandinay advised. "After all, I am told that an army marches on its belly."
"Fine I'm eating!" Ange snapped and stabbed at a piece of fish with her sticks. The mess hall at Neo-Zion's boot camp was more civil than this, Rio thought.
"Excuse me," Tusk suddenly said, "but what do you mean by an army?" Taking a sip from her tea bowel, Salamandinay frowned and nodded.
"Very well then. I have a request for you. I would like you to join us in our fight."
"Huh?" Ange asked.
"Our objective is to rescue Aura and reclaim the peace and stability that was taken from us. A great number of our people are dead. The Norma were enslaved and forced to fight. And those of your world who have rejected its false prosperity have become outcasts. And all of it is because of THAT man."
"Embryo," Rio interrupted.
"Exactly. But if we can overpower Embryo, we can bring it all to a close. We fight to rescue Aura. You fight for your freedom. Our goals are different but our enemy is the same. Fight with us." Setting down his sticks, Rio hummed in thought and crossed his arms. He couldn't deny that Salamandinay had some logic to her argument. So long as they were stuck here, there was no way of knowing the condition of either the Network or the Arzenal Norma. For all he knew they could be all that was left. Still there were other factors to consider. But before he could answer, Ange began to bitterly laugh.
"So that's it. You want my help because I'm strong and have a powerful machine. Get in line!" Goddamnit Ange! Rio cursed. Will you get it through your head that it's not all about you! "All that crap about understanding each other! All those nice things you said. It was all a ploy wasn't it?" Salamandinay simply smiled and nodded.
"That is correct! I wish to capitalize on your strength. I feel it could be..."
"Just shut up already!" Ange yelled. "Why do people...?"
"Why do they what?" Salamandinay interrupted. "Why do they lie to you? Take advantage of you? Use you to their own ends?" Ange grit her teeth and looked ready to flip the entire table until Rio grabbed her arm.
"That's enough Ange," he said. "You don't speak for everyone and this concerns us all." Ange shot Rio a dirty look and angrily yanked her hand away.
"Well said Sir Rio," Salamandinay agreed. "What do you all think?" Wiping his mouth with a napkin, Tusk was the first to speak.
"I agree with your stance. But I'm Ange's knight. If she doesn't feel allying with you is in her best interests then I'll support her whole heartedly."
"I see," Salamandinay said as she looked to Rio and Hilda next. "And you two?" Suprisingly, Hilda answered before Rio did.
"It's true Ange doesn't speak for us all. But before I'll agree to anything I want to be able to contact Commander Jill and the others. They need to know exactly what's really been going on. And if they agree, then I'll join"
"I feel the same," Rio added. "Without the okay of my superiors, I can't authorize any sort of alliance. Besides, I'm not just a Network Agent anymore. I'm Hilda's knight and her safety comes first." Ange and Tusk both gave Rio bemused expressions but Salamandinay simply nodded.
"I see. Then perhaps I might make another proposal."
"What kind of proposal?" Ange asked. Salamandinay smiled and pointed at her.
"Ange, I challenge you."
"Huh? What kind of challenge?"
"For your future of course," the DRAGON Princess explained. "Since our duel in your world, I have been longing to settle what was ultimately a draw. This way we can solve two issues at once." Ange narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
"And that would be?" Ange asked.
"In the event that you win, I shall allow you and your comrades to go and do whatever you wish. But if I win, you all will become my property until the end of your days."
"Excuse me!" Hilda cried.
"Now wait a minute!" Rio added. "That's a bit..."
"So let me get this straight," Ange said. "All I have to do is beat you and we can leave?"
"Yes, that is correct." And with that Rio knew matters were already decided.
"Alright. Let's do it!" Rio looked over to Tusk who shrugged and laughed nervously. For not the first time, Rio was grateful he hadn't been near Ange's location after she and Hilda busted out of Arzenal.
"All in good time," Salamandinay assured her. "Let us finish our breakfast first. I would not wish for you to fail due to hunger."
This is just perfect, Ange thought. I've been waiting for a chance to take that smug lizard down a peg. Once breakfast was over, Sala-matches had wasted no time leading them to where her and Ange's duel was supposed to commence. At the moment, Sala and her two lackeys led the way while she and Tusk rode a Galleon in their wake. Vivian's alleged-mother had offered to take her home to see the house she was born in and Ange had convinced Rio and Hilda to go with them to make sure nothing happened.
"Do you see it?" Sala suddenly broadcast. Up ahead, in a crevasse carved into the cliff face, a large rectangular building stood waiting them. Following Sala's lead, Ange and Tusk descended down to land in front of the structure.
"What is this place?" Ange wondered.
"An ancient dueling arena," Sala answered. "According to legend, warriors from all over the land would gather here to compete in tests of skill and strength."
"This place is over 500 years old?" Tusk gaped. "It's held up really well."
"We have Lady Salamandinay to thank for that," Naga bragged. "She has researched the ancient world which allowed her to restore this entire structure. Thanks to her we have also been able to replicate much of the original technology that predated the great disaster. Including the Ryuu-shin-ki which she reverse engineered from..." a sudden elbow from Kaname cut off Naga's speech with an oomph.
"Quiet," she shushed, "that's classified remember!"
"Oh dear," Naga blushed. "Please forgive me my lady."
"It is quite alright Naga. Now then..." turning to Ange, Sala once again smiled that insufferable grin of hers, "...shall we begin?"
"Bring it on!" Ange glowered. A short while later, the five of them found themselves on some kind of court. Divided into zones by white paint, a three foot high net ran along the middle ground between her and Sala's sides. For this first game, which Sala called "tennis", the two of them had changed into sleeveless t-shirts and short skirts. A wooden paddle with a grid of wires running through the middle gap was held in each of their hands while Sala tossed a small fur covered ball in her other.
"Do you understand the rules?" Sala asked.
"All I have to do is make sure the ball doesn't go past the line right?" Damn she lizard! Ange hissed. I'll wipe the floor with you! Along the court's side, Kaname sat atop a high chair with a score board.
"Your serve princess!" Before Ange realized it, Sala had already tossed up the ball before sending it flying across the court. Ange darted forward and swung, but missed by a hair as the ball flew past her rear line. "15 love. Your serve again milady!" Ange hummed and loosened her shoulders. Whether she liked or not Sala could back up her boast. She'd better get serious herself or they'd all wind up as her slaves.
"Oh my. Was that too fast? How very rude of me!" Another crack of her rack and the ball once more flew across the court. This time however, Ange was ready and with a quick judge of trajectory, leapt into its path.
"Not today!" Ange yelled. A hit was scored and the ball shot back and past Sala before she could intercept, much to the shock of her and her two subordinates.
"Alright Ange!" Tusk cheered.
"15 all," Kaname announced.
"Impressive," Sala admitted.
"I'm just getting warmed up!" Ange answered.
Though he doubted Salamandinay was planning anything, Rio had agreed to go with Vivian and Lamia. Besides, it was a chance to see the DRAGONS' civilization from a grounds eye view. There was only so much he could learn about them while being sequestered in their seat of power. If he really had any chance of encouraging a truce between his allies and them then he'd need to immerse himself right into their culture. Over their village, he and Hilda rode a pair of Schooners while up ahead, Lamia flew with Vivian held tightly against her. From what he knew about natural flight, Rio was certainly impressed Lamia could carry such a weight so easily. Perhaps it had something to do with the Dragnium in her body. It certainly explained how she could fly without flapping her wings, altering their position just enough to shift direction.
"Here we are," Lamia called as she dipped towards the ground. Rio and Hilda's mounts followed and they leapt off as they landed.
"Thanks for the lift," Rio said. "We can make our own way back." As the two Schooners returned to the sky, Rio took a moment to analyze their surroundings. The architecture of the DRAGONS was unlike anything he had seen before. Rather than clearing the land of the plateaus that overlooked the surrounding canyons, their houses and buildings actually seemed to be carved out of the rock itself. Stairways, overpasses, and underpasses created multiple levels though from what he could see height didn't seem to donate a particular caste like it would in human culture. Instead, residential and commercial structures intermingled while canals flowed unhindered as they wound through buildings and patches of trees and other greenery that seemed to have naturally taken root in whatever loose soil they could find. There was a definite lack of regimented structure to their village but it was far from chaotic. Rather it was as if a balance had been struck between nature and civilization, allowing them to intertwine in a way he didn't think was possible. I wish Boss could have seen this, he thought. As a former architect he would have loved this. And their hosts had already explained, there were no humanoid males his age as far as he could see. There were plenty of females and prepubescent boys though, all of whom stopped what they were doing to watch.
"Up this way," Lamia beckoned as she led them up a stone stairway. About three floors high, each level broke off to lead into a doorway carved into one of the many cliffs along the plateau's top. At the very top, Lamia unlocked the last door and led them inside. A set of windows along the front wall granted a view out onto the ground below where Rio saw the villagers go back about their business. "Make yourselves at home," she invited. "I'll make some tea ready."
"Don't worry Your Mother we will," Vivian answered as a sudden growl caught Rio's attention.
"Are you okay with this?" he asked Hilda.
"I'm fine," she grumbled.
"If you want we could go explore the city instead."
"Just drop it!" As she angrily took a seat on a couch, Rio perched beside her and hoped Tusk was having an easier time of it than he was.
It had been fun at first but now it was starting to get tedious.
After their tennis match ended in a draw, Ange and Salamandinay had moved on to other sports. Baseball, racing ground cars, golf, a table version of tennis called "ping-pong," and even an arcade crane game. And each one had ended in a draw.
At the moment, the two of them were involved in a game known as "Twister." According to the rules, a dial would randomly pick one of four colored dots on a matt where either Ange or Salamandinay would plant a random foot or hand. Dressed in two piece leotards that showed off both of their slenderly curvaceous figures, the two competitors' bodies glistened with sweat as they writhed and twisted around each other in time with the dial's commands. Now it was Ange's turn. A press of a button, and the dial spun to pick out a new position. "Ange, left hand red!" Tusk called and Ange grimaced as she shifted position without falling over.
"You are indeed a worthy opponent," Sala gasped. "Never before have I encountered one who has proven an equal match for me."
"Lady Salamandinay left foot red!" Akame called. Pulling in her limb, Sala's rump shifted back and began to push against Ange's shoulder.
"Why you little...!" Ange growled as she shoved back. Sala gave a cry and nearly fell over until her tail slipped underneath to brace her. "Oh come on that has got to be cheating!" Tusk mulled it over and nearly called time to discuss it with Kaname when Ange's impulsiveness once more took control and she bit Sala's tail. A cry of surprise and pain, and Sala lost her balance, falling against Ange and sending them both the ground in a tangle of limbs. Tusk could only rub his eyes in bemusement as he watched. So much for sportsmanship.
"You cheated when you bit my tail!" Sala wailed. Rising to a sitting postion, Ange smirked and finally burst out laughing.
"It's nothing to cry about," she giggled.
"That's not the point," Sala pouted. And then, to the surprise of everyone present, Sala burst out laughing as well.
"I don't believe it," Naga whispered. "I don't think I've ever seen her so happy before." Tusk smiled to himself as he watched. Perhaps there was more than just individual pride to this competition after all.
Perhaps it was bad memories, or the way Vivian kept referring to Lamia as "your mother," but Hilda suddenly leapt off the couch and stormed out of the apartment. "Hey Hilda where are you going?" Vivian called. But Hilda didn't answer as she slammed the door behind her. Gesturing for them to stay, Rio hurried after her.
"Hilda stop!" he called as he caught up to her on he stairwell. "What's wrong?" She whirled around and Rio was taken aback by the anger that blazed in her eyes.
"What's wrong?" she snapped. "Are you kidding me? Don't you see what's going on here? This whole thing is a scam! You really think that's Vivian's mother? Or that she'd actually be waiting for her all this time? Sooner or later the truth is going to come out and then who do you think is going to have to pick up the pieces?" Rio knew this was going to happen. It was why he had wanted to stay behind.
"Hilda," he tried to say, "not every mother is the same as yours. Lamia never forgot or stopped missing her daughter. It's not right, and it's not fair but it's just the way it is. Instead of letting your own jealousy get the better of you try to think about Vivian." Hilda's eyes narrowed in rage and she turned away.
"Well if that's how you feel then maybe you should be Vivian's knight instead!" Too stunned to respond, Rio could only watch as Hilda turned away and stormed off.
"Is everything alright?" Rio tuned around and there was Lamia, a look of concern on the older woman's face. "It looked as if you two had quite a spat."
"No not really," Rio answered. "I'm sorry about that. Hilda doesn't mean to be rude. It's just...well she lost her mother not so long ago and the wound's still kind of raw. I guess seeing you and Vivian together brought up a lot of emotions she doesn't know how to deal with yet." That wasn't exactly true but he felt Hilda would want her privacy respected.
"I see," descending down to the platform he stood on, Lamia smiled as she looked him up and down. "You care a lot about her don't you?" Rio found himself unable to respond and Lamia chuckled softly. "I can tell. Well, there's also everything Mii told me about you. Some of it seems a bit 'incredible' though. She almost makes you sound like some hero in a fairy tail."
"Well," Rio mused, "I never thought of myself as a hero. I just do what needs to be done. But to be honest, I'm not sure what to do. Shooting my way out of a firefight was never as complicated as this." Lamia rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Relationships always are," Lamia said. "Mii's father is away a good portion of the year, helping to clean up the Dragnium pollution along the coast. I'm sad that he isn't able to be here, especially when our daughter had finally come home. But I understand that he has an important job to do so I support him as best I can. Right now, I'd say the best thing you could do for Hilda is give each other some space to cool off. Then let her know that you're there for her." Rio thought it over and nodded.
"I guess you're right," he agreed. For better or for worse he was Hilda's knight now. What was it Vivian had said? That Lamia smelled like Ersha? She certainly shared Ersha's ability to make one feel better. It made him wonder if she and the others had made it out alright.
"Of course," Lamia added, "If Hilda doesn't hurry someone else might just snatch you up." Rio followed her line of sight and down at the stairways' entrance, a small mob of teenage DRAGON girls were whispering and staring up at him. I think I'd better go back inside where it's safe, he decided.
After yet another draw, it was decided they would break for a shower and a light meal. As the water flowed down her naked form Ange felt the sweat and tension being rinsed off of her. Though no victor had been declared, she was strangely content, even happy. It had been too long since she had genuinely experienced any real fun. "You're athletic skill is truly impressive," Sala told her from he adjoining stall.
"You're not so bad yourself...Sa-la-man-date."
"It's Salamandinay," Sala corrected with more than a hint of annoyance.
"Oh right. Anyway, it was just like the old Iaria matches."
"Iaria?"
"It's a game from my word."
"I see. Let us compete in that one next." Ange simply frowned. "What is wrong?"
"We can't. To play Iaria you have to have Mana. So Norma can't play."
"I see." For a while the shower was quiet until Sala spoke up. "You may not believe it, but I do sympathize with your people's plight. I argued with the council to approach the Norma to establish an alliance. Unfortunately, Embryo's wounds run deep. Anything associated with him is reflexively looked upon with fear and distrust."
"Yeah," Ange mused, "at least your people have a reason for it. Unlike the humans in my world."
"It's a shame," Sala agreed. "Those with power should protect those without, not oppress them. Aura, she lived in a time of strife and greed. When she became the first, she knew that humans would have to change not only physically but spiritually as well. It was her teachings that became the foundation of our society. They guide us even in her absence though I fear as time goes on we may lose our way." Shutting off her water, Sala reached for a towel and began to dry herself off. "But what about you? Does it not bother you how twisted your world is? You were once a princess. Perhaps as a leader, it is your destiny to correct the mistakes of your world." Ange grit her teeth and clenched her fists at her side.
"You've got a lot of nerve you know that. I'm not a princess anymore. Leadership, destiny, responsibility; I hear that all the time from Rio but none of that has anything to do with me. Besides, the humans in my world like it just the way it is. What's the point?"
"Your friend Rio is quite interesting." Ange looked to Sala with a bemused expression. "We know of him and his comrades and how they have rejected the world that Embryo made for them. Slowly but surely, they are changing, growing into something more than just Embryo's dolls. Now that you know the whole truth, can you honestly say you are fine with doing nothing?" Ange didn't answer. What was it Rio had told her the night they first arrived in this world? Why don't you think long and hard about what you're fighting for.
She still didn't have an answer.
Satisfied she had placed enough distance between herself and Vivian's house, Hilda sat down to rest. She was angry, she was hurt, and the one person she thought would understand didn't. What does he know? she asked herself. How could Rio just accept what was placed in front of him like that? Didn't he tell her his parents had failed him as well? How could he just accept that Vivian's so called mother could possibly still be waiting for her?
Picking up a nearby stick, Hilda trailed its tip in the dirt. The worst part was how Rio treated her as if she was just jealous. As if she cared that Vivian didn't understand enough to realize Lamia's name wasn't really "your mother." Or how happy Lamia had been when Salamarker had brought her to Vivian. Or that she hadn't tried to replace her with another child. Hilda tossed the stick aside and silently wiped the tears that were welling up in her eyes. At her core, she was still the same selfish bitch that she always was. Would Vivian experiencing the same pain as her really make her happy? And what about what she had said to Rio? How much more was he willing to take before he finally had enough?
I should go back and apologize, she realized. Try to at least undo some of the damage.
And then all hell broke loose.
As he waited for Hilda to get back, Rio passed the time listening to Vivian telling Lamia all about Arzenal and the people there. Some of it though, like Salia's secret sock drawer book, he probably could have done without. I wonder how she is, he wondered. In all he chaos I lost track of nearly everyone. And considering how emotionally fragile Salia was before the attack he just hoped that she was able to pull it together enough to get out. Eventually, conversation turned to him and Rio told them about his friends in the Network.
"So after the Wild Pack and I finished the job," he told them, "we met at this casino in Marmeria and there was this group of girls at the bar. Spider gets up and tells us to watch the master at work. Anyway, he says about three sentences and they all slap him at once. It was like drum solo." Vivian and Lamia burst out laughing when the tea cup on the coffee table suddenly began to vibrate. Then the entire room was shaking. "What is that an earthquake?" he asked. But when the air itself began to shake they all realized something was very wrong. "We need to get out of here!"
Outside the rest of the village had begun to gather in the streets and pavilions. The once clear blue sky had now turned black as night and a wind like a hurricane began to slam against the plateau. There's no way this is natural, Rio realized.
"Rio! Vivian!" Through the crowd, Rio was relieved to see a pair of cherry red twin tails racing towards them. "What's going on?"
"You tell me!" Rio cried as his datapad began to ring. "Tusk, Ange, someone talk to me!"
"It's some kind of disturbance," Tusk answered over the line. "It looks like its centered around the tower of Aura! Salamandinay's already called her machine and is heading out to investigate." Pulling his binoculars from his jacket, Rio looked ahead and saw the base of the tower crackling with energy before it erupted into a spiraling vortex. And within the vortex, a bubble clear as day suddenly formed. But the structure inside wasn't the tower of Aura. Isn't that the Iaria stadium in Misurugi? he wondered. Embryo. This has to be his doing. Around the rim of the vortex, Rio could see a small crowd of DRAGONS running for their lives, only to vanish as the maelstrom overran them. Pocketing the binoculars, Rio tightened the hat Hilda had given him and gestured to the crowd.
"Everyone listen up!" he yelled over the wind. "We have to evacuate now. Take shelter at the shrine. If that tornado gets you then its all over!"
"I understand," Lamia nodded. "Mi let's go." Taking her daughter's hand, Lamia gathered a group of the villagers and ran with them towards the shrine. Already, the vortex had closed half the distance between the village and the tower, the ground buckling and shredding beneath it as it advanced.
"What now?" Hilda asked.
"We spread the word. Get as many people to safety as we can."
Atop the same Galleon that had brought them to the stadium, Ange and Tusk wasted no time in disembarking. Beside their mount, Akame and Naga landed their Ryuu-shin-ki and leapt off as well.
"I shall inform the High Priestess," Akame announced. "Once you have escourted them to safety we shall go help Lady Salamandinay."
"Agreed," Naga replied. "You two...hey where are you going?"
"Where do you think?" Ange countered. "Our friends are out there! We have to help them!" Anchored nearby, Villkiss sat next to Tusk's skyhook and Hilda's Glaive. Hopping on, Ange took to the sky with Tusk flying after.
"Hold on!" Naga called. "Your machine's still damaged. "You'll never make it!"
High above the village, Salamandinay could only watch in horror as the rapidly expanding singular reached the village and rapidly began to tear it apart. Noticing a large crowd moving towards the shrine, Sala zoomed in and saw two familiar figures herding them on. Rio and Hilda, she realized. Very well, I shall entrust the safety of the citizens to you.
By now the wind had began to pick up so greatly that Your Mother could no longer even fly. "I'm sorry Mi," she gasped. "We're going to have to run from this point on."
"Hey don't worry!" Vivian said. "No one's faster than me." Around them, the village had begun to shift and change, the stone buildings carved from the plateau randomly shifting to a city street like the ones she had seen in old picture books. The two of them rushed forward while overhead, a red form suddenly raced by, the cannon underneath firing crimson energy lances at the tempest. "Alright, Salamandinay!" Vivian cheered.
"Mi!" Your Mother suddenly screamed. A sudden shove and Vivian found herself face first into the ground just as a dull bang echoed behind her.
"Ow! What did you do that for?"
"Are you alright Mi?" Something about Your Mother's voice sounded weak and strained. And when Vivian looked up, to her horror saw that she had been pinned beneath something that looked like a silver Para-mail fuselage.
"Your Mother!" she cried.
Again and again, Salamadinay fired the Seiran, only for the energy to be absorbed by the tempest. What am I to do, she wondered as the radio suddenly turned on.
"Fall back Salamandinay," the High Priestess ordered. "The Ryuu-shin-ki are crucial to the rescue of Aura. We cannot risk them being damaged."
"But your holiness!" she argued.
"The people of Vivel have already been dispatched. Entrust this fight to them."
"But they will not make it in time! I cannot abandon my people!" Although Rio and Hilda had already rallied most of the villagers to safety, those nearest the tempest were being overrun, their bodies being absorbed into the stone shards of the upheaved earth.
"You have your orders! Now with..." but Salamandinay cut the transmission before the High Priestess could finish. In that one moment of distraction, something flew into Enryugo's path and careened straight for the cockpit when a white machine darted in front of her, the sword in its one hand slashing the projectile in two.
"Hey Salamandrill! Snap out of it!" Ange! Salamandinay realized. You came! "What's going on down there?"
"It's Embryo!" Tusk answered. "That bastard controls time and space, fusing flesh with stone. It's how he killed my parents and all of my comrades."
Hilda had seen the flash of movement as the Iaria mount went flying out of the vortex and shouted a warning. The crowd parted except for one familiar looking pair. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as she watched Lamia shove Vivian out of the way only to be pinned beneath the hunk of metal.
"Your mother!" she heard Vivian cry. "Why did you do that? I've had training I would have been fine." Through the pain, Lamia managed a smile and reached up to caress Vivian's cheek.
"I protected my child," she said. "I did exactly as a mother should do." Tears began to well up in Vivian's eyes as she spun around and grabbed the edge of the Iaria mount, straining as she attempted to lift it off of her mother.
"Come on!" Rio shouted beside her, rushing over to Vivian's side. Hilda watched as he attempted to help move the vehicle but without his Mana all he could do was futilely struggle. And all the while the singular was getting closer. Filthy Norma! her mother's voice echoed. I wish I had never given birth to a beast like you! Something inside of Hilda broke and before she realized it, she had rushed over and like the others, attempted to lift the Iaria mount off of Lamia.
"Hilda!" Vivian cried.
"Don't just stand there!" she yelled. "Or do you want your mom to die!" Vivian's eyes widened in realization but she did as Hilda said and continued to struggle against the weight Lamia was trapped under.
"Mi listen," Lamia said. "Just go. Leave me!"
"No way!" Vivian half sobbed. "I'm not leaving without my mom!"
"Mi it's alright. Please, just go with your friends and..."
"Shut up!" Hilda suddenly yelled. "Keep talking like that and I swear I'll drop this right on your head!" Fixing her gaze on the steadily approaching singular, Hilda grit her teeth and strained even harder against the crushing weight. "Embryo!" she snarled. "You took Mama from me! I am not letting you take Vivian's!"
By now the singular was a third of the way through the village. Most of the citizens had been evacuated but Ange knew it wouldn't matter if they didn't stop this thing right now. "Salamandrake, how do we stop this thing?"
"I do not know. Enryugo's weapons...they lack the power to disrupt the singular's energy." So they needed more energy?
"Hold on," Ange said. "That thing, the weapon that nearly destroyed Arzenal. What if we used that?"
"That might work," Tusk agreed. "The Discord Phasers delete their target from reality so why not try it?"
"Impossible," Sala remarked. "They're far too powerful. If I used them I could destroy the entire valley?"
"Then set them to half strength then," Ange countered.
"But that is easier said than done."
"Damnit why are you so stubborn? Wait, maybe there is a way. If you fire first and I fire second, we should be able to cancel each other out just like before."
"But how can you be sure that would work?"
"I don't but do you have a better idea? Look you're a princess right? Then quit whining and save your people! Isn't that what you said a leader is supposed to do?" Seconds ticked by until Salamanatee finally answered.
"Very well. Let us try."
With each breath he took, Rio could feel the vibration in the ground and air intensify further as the singular closed in on them. By now, the seismic upheaval was close enough for them to see it. Damn it what do I do? he cursed. The smart thing, the only option, would be to grab Hilda and Vivian and run with them as fast as he could. But something inside him refused to budge so long as Lamia was still trapped. Damn it, he cursed. If only I had my Mana I could lift this thing no problem. But he didn't. That smug bastard Embryo had torn it out of him as easily as if he was cutting off a lock of hair.
Just leave him, Embryo had said. Let him spend he rest of his life knowing how powerless he actually is.
Screw you! he swore. I won't let you do as you please. Even if I don't have your rotten gift. Now move. Move. Move. Move. MOVE! From within, Rio felt somethin open and flow through him, the Iaria mount shining gold as it suddenly flew off into the air as light as a feather.
"Rio!" Hilda gasped. "What...how..." but they had no time for questions. Not with the singular nearly on top of them.
"Everyone run now!" Hoisting Lamia over his shoulder, Rio ran with the two girls in tow as a song suddenly began to echo over the wind.
Kaze ni toban el ragna
Sadame to chigiri kawashite
Kaze ni yukan el ragna
Todorokishi tsubasa
As the True Star Song resonated throughout Enryugo's cockpit, the singlet atop Salamandinay's forehead began to heat and pulse. Across the screen, dual targeting scopes manifested as the ancient melody began to charge the Discord Phasers with its power. Across the sky, Ange began to shift her machine into Destroyer mode as she began to sing as well.
Hajimari no hikari kilari kirari
Owari no hikari lulala rira
Kaesan el ragna sunadokei wo
Toki wa afuren lulala rira
Just as during the battle in Ange's world, Villkiss and Enryugo both began to shine with a golden light when an explosion suddenly rocked Villkiss's torso and it began to fall.
"Ange!" Sala cried. "Ange you must recover!"
"Tell me something I don't know!"
Scrambling up the steps towards the Shrine, a sudden flash caught Hilda's attention and she turned to see Villkiss plummeting towards the ground, it's torso trailing smoke and fire.
"Ange," she whispered.
"Come on," Rio said. "Pull it together like you always do you stubborn brat!"
Her stomach feeling as though it had lodged itself into her throat, Ange grit her teeth as she fought to retain consciousness against the g-forces pushing down on her. Damn it Villkiss stop screwing around! she cursed. Aren't you supposed to be the ultimate weapon. How could something as weak as you possibly be capable of destroying the world? In response, the ring on her finger began to pulse and Villkiss slowed its descent.
As if in response to Rio's taunt, Villkiss once more began to glow with a golden light. And before the eyes of all watching, began to regenerate, re-growing its damaged armor and missing arm as if it none of it had ever happened. Restored to its full power, the shining Ragna-mail rose back to the sky. The songs of both Salamandinay and Ange reaching their climax as the shoulders of both machines opened. Sala fired first, the swirling vortexes of energy impacting the singular and detonating with a blinding light. Shielding his eyes, Rio caught the silhouette of Villkiss firing it's own Discord Phasers to meet Sala's attack head on. And when the light cleared, the vortex had vanished, leaving nothing more than a field of ruin.
"Mom!" Vivian sobbed into Lamia's chest.
"It's alright," Lamia assured her. "It's over now. We're safe." Looking up from her daughter, Lamia smiled up at Rio and Hilda. "Thank you. Thank you both."
"Hey," Rio said, "we just did what needed to be done." Feeling an arm around him, Rio looked down to see Hilda hugging him fiercely.
"About earlier," she said. "I'm sorry. I'm still having trouble knowing when to turn off the bitch." Rio smiled and gently wiped the tears forming in her eyes.
"Yeah well, if I wasn't prepared for the occasional headache I wouldn't have pledged myself as your knight." Amidst the ruins and the refugees who thanked Aura for their survival and mourned those who had died, the two young outcasts found comfort and strength in each other though not answers. Removing his arm from around Hilda's back, Rio starred at his right arm which not only had just thrown off an Iaria mount as though it were nothing but now seemed completely healed as well.
"I thought you said Embryo stripped you of the Light of Mana," Hilda reminded him.
"He did. This is something else."
Emerging from Villkiss's cockpit, Ange took a welcome breath of fresh air. Directly across from her, Enrgyu stood before her unit as Sala appeared to join her. "Thank you," she said. "Because of you, I was able to protect my people."
"I'm just glad it all worked out," Ange replied. "Though to be honest I just wanted to help my friends." Maybe that was the answer. Ange couldn't honestly say she believed in justice like Rio but those she cared about were another matter.
"I never imagined that song could be used as a force for good," Sala continued. "500 years ago, Embryo used that same song to lay waste to our world as a final act of revenge before he and his followers departed for yours. Tell me, where did you learn that song?" Ange paused as she looked down at her ring.
"My mother," Ange finally said. "She said that whenever I was lost, the Song of the Imperial Family would light my path and show me the way."
"I see, then we have something in common."
"What do you mean?"
"The True Star Song. Aura's melody. It has a similar significance to my family. Please forgive my earlier foolishness. I never should have sought to make you my property. A true leader is one who takes action. And you were the one who taught me this truth. So, if you are willing, I would like to make you my friend instead." A friend huh?
"On one condition," Ange said. "Salamamala is too long name a name. From now on, just call yourself Sala." Sala blinked in surprise but nodded.
"Very well then," she agreed. "And you shall be known as Anko."
"Yeah I don't think so."
From the sidelines, Tusk watched as Vivian cried tears of relief into her mother's arms. Even Ange couldn't doubt the sincerity of that. Turning back towards where the maelstrom singular had threatened to consume the entire valley, he frowned as he looked at the devastation their enemy had just wreaked. What were you trying to do Embryo? he wondered. Was this your big move or just a taste of things to come? With so much death and destruction caused by one strike, Tusk realized that Salamandinay may have been right. It was going to take all of their power in order to defeat him. But would Ange go for it? That was the real question. Casting a glance towards where Villkiss and Enryugo stood, Tusk watched as their respective pilots emerged to talk things over. In a lot of ways, Sala was Ange's complete opposite. But in other ways they were completely alike. Finding someone to challenge her had helped Ange open up to Sala in a way that she hadn't to anyone else. Maybe there is some hope after all, he thought as he overheard the two of them begin to playfully bicker back and forth.
"But why not?" he heard Salamandinay ask. "You asked to call me by another name so it is only fair I do the same for you."
"Because it's stupid!" Ange said. "Anko isn't even short for anything!"
"But it is such a cute name!"
"What am I a kittie?"
"Very well," Salamandinay decided. "I shall call you Kittie then."
"Like hell you will!"
Alone in her quarters, Aura Midgardia, High Priestess of the Children of Aura read the report regarding the damage. Losing the tower of Aura was tragedy enough but each death weighed heavily upon her. A sudden knock at her door and Midgardia knew her appointment had arrived. "Enter." The door slid open and through the screen, Midgardia watched as Salamandinay took a seat on the other side.
"You wished to see me High Priestess?"
"What you did was incredibly reckless," she lectured. "Not only did you disobey my orders but you endangered Enryugo. If it had been lost then so would everything else. How do you justify your actions?" Salamandinay shifted her weight as she prepared her answer.
"I do not intend to. As the Princess of the Freyja, it is my duty to protect not only my tribe but all of our people. Their safety will always be my first priority." Midgardia sighed and shook her head.
"Your sense of duty has never been called into question Salamandinay, but this is more than a matter of individuals. If we do not recover Aura then our people have no future. If there was any other qualified to pilot Enryugo then I would reassign it to them. But with the invasion set to begin, I have no choice but to leave it in your hands." Salamandinay looked up in surprise.
"The invasion? Then...Lizardia has finally located Aura?"
"She finally made contact with us last night. Following Julio Misurugi's death, she has been following shipments of refined Dragnium. Their trail led her to a facility off the coast of the region known as the Velda Dynasty. The other tribes have already been notified. The attack will commence at noon two days from now. Go and have the Ryu-shin-ki prepared. That is all." Though her permission to leave had been granted, Salamandinay remained. "Is something wrong?"
"Actually there is," Salamandinay said. "I have something regarding one of our guests that you might want to look at." From under her arm, Salamandinay produced a folder which she handed through he screen. Accepting the file, Midgardia read through the contents, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Is this true?"
"Dr. Gecko is positive that his genetic code has been altered. Not nearly as extreme as our own, but enough that he cannot be taxonomically categorized as a False Human anymore. I had my suspicions for a while, but now, I am certain that Aura has sent him to us as an envoy."
"And what do you intend to do with this information?"
"With your permission," Salamandinay continued, I would like to give him...that." Midgardia frowned as she stared at Salamandinay's silhouette through the screen.
"What you are asking is no small favor."
"I am aware of that. But we have learned all we can from it. And Gilia's alterations have corrected many of its original flaws. I know it is a risk but as both our enemy and as our guest, he has proven himself to be an honorable person. During Embryo's attack, he personally risked his life to aid in the evacuation. I am certain he will use it to convince his comrades to join us. We must use every tool at our disposal and since none of our people can pilot it, then let us give it to someone who can."
"Are you willing to stake your life that he will not betray us?" Salamandinay smiled and nodded
"Yes. I am certain of it." With a sigh of resignation, Midgardia drew a pen and wrote out the order, a stamp of her personal seal finalizing it as she passed it through the screen.
"So be it then. Give the Susano'o to the one called Rio."
(Don't worry, the next chapter won't take nearly as long to update as this one did. Especially since it has a plot development I've been waiting to introduce for quite some time. Rio may have lost the Light of Mana but he's about to receive a power worth far more.)