Chapter 26- The Silver Aegis

Everyone was shocked by the news, especially Marth.

"What are you talking about?" Marth said in disbelief. "How am I an Aegis?!"

"Five centuries ago, a man named Amalthus climbed the World Tree to meet the Architect," Klaus explained. "While he did not find the Architect, he instead brought back three Core Crystals as proof that he had reached Elysium. Two of those Core Crystals were Malos and Mythra. After Malos had chosen to destroy Alrest, Amalthus planned to find someone to resonate with Mythra's core and third core. That was when I intervened. I knew that Mythra had a clear fate, but the third core's path was too uncertain, so I stole it before he could grab it. However, after I managed to reclaim the third core, something strange happened."

"What happened?" Thorrnn questioned, sounding slightly unsure.

Klaus dug into his pocket and revealed a silver Aegis core, however, part of it was darkened. "The third core somehow triggered a space-time anomaly and sent part of its data across space and time," Klaus explained. "That data eventually found its way to your world where it merged with Marth's spirit before he was even born."

Marth gasped in shock. "No way. It can't be true." Despite his words, the Spriggan knew that Klaus was telling the truth. He just didn't want to believe it.

"Think about it," Klaus said calmly. "You possess a rapid-healing ability, could summon a defense barrier to protect yourself, and have hacked into systems to protect your friends. It's all thanks to this core, Fenrir's core."

"But Blades don't age!" Kirito argued. "I've known Marth since childhood, and he aged just like the rest of us."

"Yeah," Thorrnn agreed. "There's no way my brother could be a Blade."

"The reason Marth aged just like you all is because he didn't possess his Core Crystal and because he came into existence differently from how Blades are supposed to come. Because he didn't possess his full core, he didn't have any powers, besides the regeneration and why he couldn't control his defense barrier. I know this must be hard for you all to accept, but it's the truth. Frank and others desperately need help and you're the only ones I can ask."

"But how can I help?" Marth asked. "You just said that I don't have my full core."

"Which is why I brought it here," Klaus said as he held the core out to the blue-eyed Spriggan. "If you touch the core and accept it, it will merge with you and you will regain your powers. Not only will you gain the ability to manipulate space, but you will also be able to use your powers from the virtual world in the real one. You'll also be able to use Artifices as well."

Marth's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you serious?"

Klaus nodded in confirmation. "I am," he answered before sorrow filled his eyes. "However, this power comes with a price. In order for you to successfully merge, you must give up something of equal power."

"But the only thing my brother has that rivals an Aegis's power is his Dragon Soul," Thorrnn remarked. "Are you saying that he has to give up his dragon form just to regain his true self?"

"Unfortunately yes. So what will you do, Marth?"

Marth found himself unable to speak as he stared at the silver Aegis core. He then felt a nudge on his right shoulder and saw that it was Kirito. Marth didn't even bother hiding his worry from his best friend.

"What should I do?" Marth questioned.

"I wish I could tell you," Kirito said solemnly. "I'd offer to choose for you, but only you can make this decision. Just do what you believe is right and know that I'll always back you up, no matter what."

The blue-eyed Spriggan cracked a light smile. "Thanks, Kirito. I know what I have to do." Marth then locked eyes with Klaus. "Okay, I'll do it. I'll merge with my core."

Klaus nodded in acknowledgement. "Very well. But before you do, there's something I wish to share with you, in private."

"Well that's not suspicious whatsoever," Sinon retorted as she glared at the Alrestian.

"I do not wish to hide anything from you," Klaus replied. "Marth is free to share it with you all if he chooses. I just need him to understand the full weight of this decision."

"Okay," Marth said. "This way."

The Dark Swordsman led Klaus into his office and closed the door behind him.

"What do you want to tell me?" Marth questioned.

"There's one other price for you regaining your core crystal, a side effect," Klaus explained. "Because of me, your whole life was altered. You have grown stronger through the various hardships you've endured, but remerging with your core will cause you to face one hardship that will be greater than all the rest combined. If you're not careful, it could shatter your very spirit, leaving you powerless."

Marth folded his arms. "Any idea what that hardship could be?"

Klaus simply shook his head. "I don't, but even if I did, I couldn't tell you about it. There are just some things that are out of your control, things that you can't prevent. So what will you do, Marth, or should I say, Fenrir?"

The silver Aegis core then levitated towards the Dark Swordsman. "Sometimes you must make hard sacrifices for the greater good. It's something that's unavoidable. I'll just have to make sure my friends will be alright."

Marth reached out and grabbed the core with his right hand. He screamed in pain as the core lit up while his Dragon Soul was ripped out of his body. The Aegis core appeared on his chest and his ears became rounded. His coat gained a silver coloring while Lunara and Solaris gained silver Aegis cores in their hilts. The Dragon Soul became a violet orb of power that hovered in front of the new Silver Aegis before disappearing.

"How do you feel?" Klaus questioned.

Marth stared at his right hand and made a fist as silver energy escaped from it. "Weird, but stronger," the Spriggan answered. "Looks like it worked."

"Will you tell your friends about what I told you?"

Marth hesitated as he didn't look Klaus in the eye. "We've got enough to worry about right now. I'll deal with that afterward."

"Very well, but remember that even an Aegis can't prevent every bad thing from happening."

The two then went back to the others, who were all astonished by Marth's new look.

"Nice coat," Celina praised. "And Lunara and Solaris look stronger than ever."

"Listen up," Klaus spoke up. "When you all go to Alrest, only Marth will be able to use his powers from the virtual world. In order for the rest of you to do the same, Marth must unleash his Fenrir Effect. It will allow you to temporarily use your powers until it wears off or Marth shuts it down himself."

"Okay," Marth replied. "We should get going. Thanks Klaus."

"You're welcome. Also, it might be a good idea for you to resonate with someone in order draw out your full power. Anyway, good luck." Klaus then disappeared as he returned to his world.

"So what did Klaus want to tell you?" Yuuki questioned.

Marth lowered his head. "It's not important right now. We need to get to Alrest immediately."

Yuuki's eyes filled with concern as she knew he was hiding something. "No, don't do this again, Marth. You don't have to shoulder things alone."

The Imp eyed Kirito, hoping that he could talk some sense into her boyfriend, but he just said, "So Marth, who do you want to resonate with?"

The Dark Swordsman turned towards his fellow Spriggan and held his core with his right hand. "Do you really need to ask? I want you to be my Driver. We've been through a lot together, why would this be any different?"

Kirito simply chuckled. "That's true. So what do I need to do?"

Marth removed his hand from his core, which seemed to be pulsing. "Just place your hand on my crystal and I'll take it from there."

The Black Swordsman smirked. "You got it." Kirito then placed his left hand on Marth's Core Crystal, causing silver light to burst out. Lunara then briefly appeared in Kirito's other hand before it returned to its scabbard on Marth's back. Once the light died down, Kirito removed his hand from Marth's crystal.

"It's done," Marth said. "You're now my Driver, Kirito. You should even be able to wield Lunara and Solaris whenever you need to."

"Cool. I always found it a little weird that if anyone else tried to wield your swords, they'd instantly be overwhelmed by them and unable to move. This certainly changes things."

"Can we discuss this later?" Asuna spoke up. "We need to hurry if we want to help Frank and the others."

The Silver Aegis nodded in confirmation. "Yeah, just give me a second." Marth closed his eyes as he focused his thoughts on Alrest and Frank's group. He also felt the presence of his own Siren waiting for his command. Eventually he found Frank's group on a platform of a strange ginormous tree and were surrounded by enemies.

"Found them." Marth opened his eyes as his Core Crystal began shining. Suddenly a silver portal opened up before the fairies.

"That's awesome," Leafa commented.

"I'll go on ahead," Marth ordered. "Once I'm in an ideal location, I'll make another portal for the rest of you."

"Okay, we'll wait for your signal!" Yui cheered as she sat on her father's head.

The Dark Swordsman eyed the pixie in sorrow. "I'm really sorry, Yui, but you can't come with us," Marth said sadly. "If we go through that portal, we'll come out with our real bodies, not our virtual ones. You're the only one here who doesn't have one, so I don't know what'll happen to you if you go through it. I'm not risking my niece's life over this."

Yui lowered her head in depression. "Oh, okay."

"Don't worry, Yui, we'll be back before you know it," Yuuki said with her usual grin. "We'll make sure to make it up to you."

Yui seemed to cheer up after that.

"All right, I'll head out now. Just wait until I make another portal."

"Watch yourself, Brother," Thorrnn said in concern. "You may have your full power now, but you're not invincible."

Marth simply chuckled. "I'll be alright. See you guys soon." Marth then ran into the portal and found himself free falling near the World Tree in Alrest.

"Guess I need more practice with my portals," the Silver Aegis thought to himself as he summoned his wings and began flying. "Glad I didn't have the others come with me through that portal."

Marth looked down and saw Frank and his friends directly below him and saw that they were surrounded by Indoline soldiers and two Gargoyle Artifices. One of the Indoline Titan weapons was charging its laser to fire at the group.

"I don't think so," Marth declared as his core lit up. "Siren!"

Suddenly a silver particle beam came down from the sky and struck the Titan weapon. The attack stunned the Titan and knocked it off its feet. The Indoline soldiers, despite being confused on what happened, prepared to advance, but they were stopped when Marth landed right in front of them.

"Sorry guys," the Spriggan said as he stood to face the Indoline soldiers. "But that's as far as you'll get."

Frank recognized his voice and turned towards the dual-wielder as the Dark Swordsman drew Lunara and embedded it in the platform before resting his hand on its pommel.

"Stand down," Marth declared with a confident smirk. "None of you are getting past me!"

"No way," Frank said with a stunned expression. "It's Marth!"

One of the Indoline soldiers eyed the Dark Swordsman. "Stand down, swordsman," the monk said arrogantly. "You are making a grave mistake by intervening with the Praetor's decree. The Aegis must be apprehended, and her allies slain."

"Is that so?" Marth questioned. "Unfortunately for you, I couldn't care less what your Praetor thinks. If he or anyone else threatens my friends, then they have to deal with me!"

"You can't seriously believe that you can take on all of us and our Titan weapons, do you?"

Marth simply smirked before shrugging. "Eh, I've been in worse situations than this. But there's only one way to find out for sure."

The Indoline monk growled in frustration. "Arrogant whelp! Destroy him in Praetor Amalthus's name!"

The Indoline Stars and Titan weapon prepared to fire at the Spriggan.

"Watch out, Marth!" Frank cried out in warning. The Master Driver's eyes widened as Marth briefly glanced at him with a confident look before facing the Indoline forces.

The Titans then fired their lasers at the Spriggan, prompting him to draw Lunara out of the ground. He then proceeded to activate «Deadly Sins» and cut through most of the lasers with his sword with ease. However, he missed one attack, which continued sailing towards the dual-wielder.

"Damn it," Marth thought before he raised his left hand and summoned a silver defensive barrier that blocked the laser.

"What?!" the monk shouted in shock.

"That's a Blade defense barrier," Jin said in realization. "But how can Marth use it?"

Suddenly both Mythra and Malos sensed a unique ether signature coming from Marth.

"So," Malos said with a wicked grin. "My other partner has finally awakened." Zeke gave the male Aegis a confused look.

"It can't be," Mythra said in disbelief. "Marth! Are you…?"

The Spriggan nodded. "Yes. It's a long story but turns out that I'm an Aegis too. Oh, and I didn't come alone!"

Marth then snapped his fingers, causing a silver portal to open up behind the Silver Aegis, allowing the Alfheim Warriors to enter Alrest. Just as Marth had suspected, his friends were all in their regular clothing.

"We're back!" Kirito shouted.

"Hey, Mythra! Long time no see!" Yuuki said while waving fiercely to the female Aegis.

Marth then turned towards his guildmates and said, "You guys ready for this?"

"Yeah!" the Alfheim Warriors exclaimed.

Marth's core lit up as he released a silver wave of energy that spread across the World Tree, reaching even Indol and the other nations. Suddenly Kirito and the other Alfheim Warriors morphed into their ALO avatars and subsequently drew their weapons.

"What the?" Frank said in confusion.

"It's called the Fenrir Effect," Marth explained. "It allows anyone from my world to access their powers from the virtual world in the real one. We didn't need it last time because of the rift, but this time's different."

"We can handle these guys!" Asuna declared as she held her rapier. "Now go!"

Suddenly a Gargoyle landed in front of the Silver Aegis and his friends and readied its laser.

"I don't think so," Marth said as his Aegis Core lit up. Suddenly a silver particle beam struck the Gargoyle from above, annihilating it. The Alrestians were shocked even further at what they saw.

"Marth must have his own Siren," Mythra said. "I think they can handle it from here. We have our own priorities to deal with."

Frank slowly nodded in agreement. "Yeah. Marth! We're gonna go on ahead! Cover us!"

The Silver Aegis nodded in acknowledgement. "Will do. Good luck!" He then eyed his opponents. "All right, guys. Let's show these guys what the Alfheim Warriors are capable of!"

"Yeah!" the others agreed.

The Alfheim Warriors charged at the Indoline soldiers as they activated various Sword Skills.

Meanwhile

In an unknown hanger somewhere above Alrest, there was a black Artifice with a silver Aegis core that resembled Marth's dragon form. Its core was currently dark, meaning it was inactive. Suddenly Marth's Dragon Soul appeared before the Artifice and merged with its core, causing both it and its golden eyes to light up. The Artifice then began moving and roared before it disappeared within a silver portal.

Author's Note: I will not be covering what Marth and his friends do in Alrest. They actually play a very minor role and it would be a pain for me to write about it. If you want to know what they do, check out Chapters 42, 43, and 46 of Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Bonds (when they're posted). Sorry for the inconvenience.