Chapter 26- Tantal
Frank was by the bow of the ship, overlooking the Cloud Sea, below. He was soon joined by Jason.
"Hey Frank," the Tantalese prince spoke up. "Mind if I ask you a question?"
The Aegis Driver faced his fellow Driver. "No. Shoot."
"Which one do you fancy, Pyra or Mythra?"
Frank's face immediately went beet red. "J-Jason! T-that's a little…" he stuttered before regaining his composure. "I don't know. They're the same person. I never gave it a lot of thought."
Jason smiled smugly. "Yeah, right. I've noticed that Mythra is the one who spends the most time with you, and Pyra isn't around most of the time. Not to mention their personalities are polar opposites. Pyra's kind and mellow, not to mention a good cook, but Mythra is intense and pushy."
"And an awful cook," Frank added. "We made the unfortunate mistake of letting Mythra cook dinner one time when we were still living in Fonsett. Let's just say Jin and I never let her anywhere near the kitchen again after that, once we managed the strength to get off the floor that is. Mythra means well, but she just has issues showing it." He noticed Jason laughing. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing. It's just that you always seem to defend Mythra regardless of what she does. I've never seen you two get into an actual fight either."
"Well I am her Driver, so I do have to live with her. But Pyra's not that different. She can be pretty stubborn when she wants to be."
"You seem to understand them pretty deeply," Jason mused. "But like you said, you are their Driver."
They were silent for a moment.
"Hey, Jason?" Frank spoke up. "You're the crown prince of Tantal, right? Why were you and Mika in the Praetorium?"
"I figured you'd ask me that sooner or later. Pandoria and I spent about a week or so at Tantal after Klaus dropped us off. After that…"
"His old man kicked him out!" Pandoria spoke up.
Both Drivers nearly jumped as they found the Lightning Blade behind them.
"Bad Blade, bad!" Jason scolded. "How long were you standing there?"
"From about 'which one do you fancy'?" Pandoria revealed.
"But that's the whole conversation!"
"As I was saying, my Prince wanted to leave Tantal after just five days since he felt he wouldn't improve there," Pandoria explained. "His father ended up disowning him when we boarded a ship to go to Uraya. We then found Mika and Kasandra working in a theater and after we did a mercenary job together, we all decided to be a team. We traveled around Alrest before we eventually found ourselves at Indol."
"Which in turn led you all to me and Mythra," Frank concluded.
"Pretty much," Jason said.
"No offense, but your dad sounds really tough."
"More like a stubborn Armu," Jason said. "Tantal is an isolationist society. Crossing its borders without permission is strictly forbidden. It's been that way for ages now."
"But as you're aware, that didn't stop my Prince," Pandoria added. "He left a few times, so he got chewed out and disowned. Then the Praetor himself found us when Mika was half-dead on the ground one day, and took us in. He made up that 'special envoy' stuff."
Frank paused before answering. "I see. Are you sure it's safe for you to return to Tantal, Jason?"
"This time we've got official business from the Praetorium," Jason replied. "It'll be fine, probably. Besides, Tantal is too ignorant of the outside world. It desperately needs a wake-up call."
The trio was soon joined by an Indoline soldier, who said that they had arrived at the coordinates. Everyone gathered at the bow of the ship, although most of them were confused on what was going on.
"Ready, Pandoria?" Jason asked.
His Blade nodded. "You betcha!" Pandoria fired a blue beam into the Cloud Sea from her Core Crystal.
Meanwhile in Tantal
King Eulogimenos was in the throne room when Fortis approached him.
"My lord. Genbu has begun surfacing," Fortis said.
"I'm aware," Eulogimenos replied. "It's Pandoria. It seems my son has chosen to return once again."
"We have received reports that he's made contact with the Aegis in Indol," Fortis added.
"So after five hundred years, he makes his move," the king mused. "Praetor Amalthus."
"My lord?"
"We must act to protect our days of peace, even if they are a dream that cannot last…"
Back to the group
Frank and the others watched as Genbu emerged from the Cloud Sea.
"Wow!" Sonum said in awe.
"Genbu is the same Titan-type as Uraya," Jason explained. "It normally stays submerged in the Cloud Sea. Even in early fall, it can get pretty cold inside Tantal. Be careful that you don't freeze!"
Nia shivered at the thought. "Brr… I can't stand the cold."
"I can provide my own warmth," Brighid offered, creating a small blue flame in her right hand. "You can stay close to me if you like."
"Me as well." Mythra changed into Pyra before creating a small red flame in her right hand.
"You guys are pretty handy to have around," Nia commented.
Both Fire Blades dismissed their flames. "Well," Pyra said. "It is our trademark."
"Indeed," Brighid agreed.
The ship soon docked at the harbor, where the group was immediately greeted by the cold air.
"Geez! It's so cold!" Sonum exclaimed as she rubbed her arms together for warmth.
"My lady. You may use me to keep yourself warm," Dromarch offered.
"Thanks, Dromarch." Sonum climbed onto the tiger Blade's back and clung to him.
The group then began their way to the Theosoir, Tantal's capital. Ether particles descended from the sky as they moved through the snow.
"Amazing," Frank said in awe. "I've never seen anything like this before."
"Uh… Nia… do you, uh, mind…" The others turned around and saw Nia clinging to Pyra's arm like a life rope. Everyone could tell that the Aegis was not comfortable with it.
"I can't help it," Nia defended. "You're so warm."
"Nia!" Frank chided. "Let Pyra go! She's not your personal heater!"
"Ugh… Fine." Nia removed herself from the Aegis. She then turned to Jin, who was the only Blade, besides Pyra and Brighid, to not be affected by the cold air. "How are you not freezing your core off?"
"My element's Ice," Jin remarked casually. "I don't get cold." He then looked up at a cliffside and saw something strange. "Is it just me, or do those ether lines look dim?"
"What are ether lines?" Kasandra asked.
"They're the veins that regulate the ether flow within Titans," Ethan explained as he pointed to glowing blue lines in the rocks above them. "Think of them like the bloodstream of a human. But still, I've never seen an ether line this dim before. Strange."
"That's because Genbu has pretty bad circulation, at least compared to the other Titans," Jason explained. "That's why the climate here is so cold and the failing crops."
"So Genbu's cold-blooded?" Frank guessed.
"Pretty much. Anyway, we've still got a ways to go before we reach the capital. Just follow me." Everyone followed the Tantalese prince as they continued their journey.
Mika's bad luck had struck yet again as the group had to fight their way through hordes of monsters before eventually finding themselves outside Theosoir. Along the way, Meg resonated with Aegaeon, adding another Blade to their ranks. The Flamebringer chose to tell the katana-Blade a little about his previous life, to which the Blade offered his loyalty to her and vowed to protect as he did with Emperor Niall.
"I swear, Mika," Ethan said in-between pants. "Your bad luck… will be the death… of us… one of these days!"
The Chaosbringer grinned sheepishly. "Sorry. I'm not doing this on purpose."
"Can we move onto more important things right now?" Poppi asked. "We've arrived at the capital, so now what do we do?"
"We head for the castle and deliver the Praetor's papers to my father," Jason said. "If all goes well, we'll have the Omega Fetter in no time."
"And if things don't go well…" Sonum said nervously.
"Then things are gonna get really complicated, but let's not think about it. C'mon. This way!" Jason led his friends into the capital, where they were all awestruck by the ancient architecture. Jason went on to explain that Torna was a civilization that rivaled only Judicium at its time. Since the Tornan Titan fell in the Aegis War, much of the once great civilization was lost.
"While Judicium were the masters of biological arts, Tornans knew all there was to know about engineering," Jason went on. "The proud blood of Torna runs in the veins of us Tantalese."
"As long as there are people to pass it on to, civilization will endure," Dromarch added. "Knowledge is inherited, much like life itself."
"Nice quote," Nia commented. "Maybe you should write it down."
"Thank you."
"It's not that simple, though," Jason admitted. "Look." He pointed at the many closed-down shops, but there were still some places open. "Because of Tantal's cold climate and isolationist status, food is pretty scarce. What little food we do have comes from the black market and is smuggled into the nation. People have to pay ungodly prices just to feed themselves and their families."
"How awful," Pyra said in sorrow.
"It is. However, since the black market's the only thing keeping people from starving, the officials just turn a blind eye."
"So most of the agricultural production is wasted on just surviving," Brighid said. "And the country grows weak because of it…"
"Exactly," Jason confirmed.
Meg folded her arms. "So even the wisdom of a proud ancient civilization cannot solve all problems."
"This place is more like a giant museum with no tourists," Ethan remarked. "That's not gonna feed anyone."
The group continued their way to the castle. Once they entered the front gate, Fortis was there to greet them.
"Welcome back, Prince Jason," Fortis said. "We've been expecting you."
"Yeah, yeah," Jason passed off. "Is my father inside?"
Fortis nodded in confirmation. "Indeed. He has been eagerly awaiting your return."
Jason chuckled. "What have I told you about lying? No need to coddle me, Fortis."
"Apologies, my prince."
"In any case, it seems like he knows we're coming," Jason continued. "That saves us some time."
Fortis began leading the group to the throne room. Suddenly Meg stopped as she noticed a green energy coming out from one of the pillars. "Could it be?"
"Are you all right?" Brighid asked her Driver in concern.
"Yes." The Flamebringer then pulled Ethan and Poppi to the side, where she whispered something in his ear.
"Uh, yeah," Ethan said slowly. "Poppi is able to produce her own ether energy in reserve, but…"
"I'll explain later," Meg interrupted. "For now, just do what I ask."
"Alright. Leave it to me."
They then rejoined the others as they entered the throne room There, they found King Eulogimenos along with his guards. The king was sitting on his throne, looking down at them. Meg was the first to get down on one knee and bow towards Eulogimenos. The others soon followed her example, except Jason and Pandoria, who remained standing.
Frank handed the Praetor's letter to Fortis, who in turn gave them to the king. Eulogimenos read the letter in silence before glancing down at Pyra and then Jin.
"The Aegis, I assume," Eulogimenos said. "Along with Jin, the Paragon of Torna." He then ripped the letter to shreds, catching the Drivers and Blades off-guard.
The group rose to their feet as guards encircled them.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Jin demanded as he reached for his sword.
"Wh-what the hell is going on?!" Sonum exclaimed as Dromarch got in front of her in a protective manner. "Jason?!"
"I don't know!" the Tantalese prince cried out as guards held him and Pandoria back. "Stop this at once! Father!"
Eulogimenos firmly raised his hand. Suddenly Pyra was struck by a blast of lightning, causing her to cry out in pain.
"Frank!" Nia cried out in worry as she saw him doing the same.
A device then bound Pyra's arms and legs as she lost consciousness. The device then hovered over to King Eulogimenos's side.
"Pyra!" Frank exclaimed. He tried to go after her, but the guards blocked his way. The Aegis Driver gritted his teeth and said, "Jin!"
The Paragon of Torna nodded and tossed his sword to his Driver, who caught it with one hand.
"Let her go!" Frank demanded as he held the Ice Nodachi threateningly.
"Stop this madness!?" Jason shouted as he tried to get past the guards. "What's going on?! Frank and the others haven't done anything wrong!"
Eulogimenos stood up from his throne. "We cannot afford to wait until they do, Jason," the king replied calmly. "The world must not be allowed to burn. The Aegis must be destroyed!"
"Oh no, you don't!" Sonum declared. She drew her twin rings. "Dromarch! Let's help Frank rescue Pyra!"
"Understood!" The duo charged at the guards halting Frank's advance. Sonum tried to hit one guard with Jaguar Slash, but suddenly the ether in her weapons were drained, canceling her Art before it even began.
"The ether energy!" Sonum said in shock before being knocked back by one of the guards.
"My lady!" Dromarch cried out before a lightning bolt hit him, forcing the Blade to the ground.
Frank and Mika tried to use Arts as well but got the same result as the ether in their weapons were drawn out.
"What the hell?!" Frank exclaimed.
"Please do not resist," Eulogimenos pleaded. "My goal is only to destroy the Aegis. I have no wish to take your lives also."
"King Eulogimenos," Meg said with authority. "I stand before you as a special envoy of Mor Ardain. My cousin, the Emperor, sent me here himself. Do you realize what you're doing?"
"I am quite aware," Eulogimenos replied. "And I am prepared to face the consequences. Even if it means going to war with Mor Ardain."
"Prepared…?" Meg muttered under her breath.
The guards then took Frank and the others away, leaving just Jason and Pandoria with the king.
"Why?!" Jason shouted in outrage. "Why do you have to destroy Pyra?!"
"You're still the same as ever, my son," Eulogimenos said.
"What's that got to do with anything?! Don't you dare change the subject!"
"What if I told you I act for justice?" the king asked.
Jason eyed his father with suspicion. "What are you trying to say?"
"You could say I'm doing this for Alrest," Eulogimenos said.
"Say what now…?!"
"Follow me." The king led his son to a room filled with old Torna soldier supplies. On some of the crates was the very seal that Jason had shown his friends.
"Th-this is…" Jason stuttered. He was shocked at the sight.
"This is the legacy of our royal line," Eulogimenos said simply.
"You can't be serious." He faced his father with a pained expression. "Why? Father, why?!"
Meanwhile
Frank and the others were taken to a cell. For some strange reason, they were allowed to keep their weapons. Frank tried smashing the door with the Ice Nodachi, but his attacks kept bouncing off, failing to damage it. The Aegis Sword was strapped to his waist, but without Pyra supplying power to it, it was just an ordinary weapon.
"Curses!" Frank exclaimed in frustration. "Why can't I bust through?"
"It appears that the flow of ether energy is being blocked off," Dromarch said.
Frank looked like he was ready to strike the door again, but instead lowered his sword before clenching it tightly. "There's got to be something we can do. They're going to destroy Pyra!"
"We know, Frank," Jin said calmly. "But we can't afford to be reckless." He placed his hand on his Driver's shoulder in comfort. "Don't worry. We'll save Pyra."
"Doesn't the king realize that if he kills Pyra, he'll kill Frank as well?" Kasandra brought up.
"I don't think he cares," Azurda replied. "The king did say that he was prepared to go to war with Mor Ardain."
"Well regardless, we need to get out of here," Sonum said.
"Both the walls and the floor are built to withstand great force," Dromarch observed. "Even if the ether flow wasn't being blocked, I doubt even Jin could bust through it."
"Let's just calm down a little, Frank," Nia added. "If we think calmly, we'll come up with something." She then noticed that Meg, Ethan and their Blades off to the side, seemingly doing nothing. "Hey, you lot! Can you at least try to help us out here?!"
Meg glanced at the Gormotti and said, "Your efforts are pointless. The way they built this place… It's essentially one giant stasis web. It blocks off the ether energy that Drivers and Blades use to unleash Arts. To lock Drivers up together with their Blades, and even leave us our weapons… They must have the utmost confidence in it.
"Perhaps we could break through, given enough time," Meg continued. "But by then it will be too late, and the Aegis will have been disposed of, along with my brother's life."
"That's more than enough reason for you to help us!" Mika exclaimed. "It's not just Pyra's life that's at stake here! Frank's is too!"
Meg shook her head and remained firm. "I just said it's pointless," the Flamebringer reminded.
Nia scoffed in response.
"We won't get anywhere, with brute force, that is," Meg continued.
The other Drivers looked at the Special Inquisitor in confusion. Frank then noticed the smirk on his sister's face.
"You've already got a plan, haven't you?" Frank guessed as he smirked.
"You know me too well, Brother."
Meanwhile
Jason and Pandoria were out on the balcony in the palace, overlooking the city plaza. The prince was pondering on what he should do, especially after what his father had shown him.
"So what now, my Prince?" Pandoria questioned.
"This really ticks me off," Jason said.
"Uh, say what?" The Blade looked confused.
"I said, I'm ticked off!" Jason repeated. "Doing it for the world, my ass! How self-serving can you get…?"
"Okay, you've officially lost me," Pandoria said.
"This country is strangling itself to death with its own web of lies and excuses!" Jason explained. "But just maybe… maybe Frank can break it free…"
"Frank could?"
Jason faced his Blade with a renewed resolve. "No faith, eh?"
Pandoria simply shrugged. "Hey, whatever. If you believe in him, my Prince, then I'm with you all the way."
Jason put his hand on his waist and said, "Frank has a good heart. Even after everything he's been through, he still managed to maintain it. I refuse to stand by and let this happen!"
Pandoria smirked with pride. "I knew you'd say that," the Thunder Blade said. "This is what I like about you, Jason."
"This won't be easy…"
Pandoria adjusted her glasses. "Oh, quit it with the drama! When is anything ever easy for us?"
Jason chuckled in amusement. "True. Let's go."
The duo then headed back into the castle.
To be continued