Notes: before we begin, I wish to address a few guest reviews that I have received.
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Rebiele: Your feedback is very appreciated. In regards to the smut, I'll admit that I don't blame you for dropping the original story. I've honestly gotten tired of writing smut, and because of that, I'm considering having the smut show up on A03, but leave the story on FFN smut free.
And I agree with the last statement. I've been taking heavy inspiration from a short story on A03 titled "The Temptation of Rex". It's a Rex/Mythra focused short where…..on second thought, I'd recommend you look it up, and read it yourself. I'd recommend everyone reading this to give "The Temptation of Rex" a look. Only available on Archive of Our Own.
Actually, new plan; any smut will only show up on A03, and on FFN, I'll leave hints of smut. That or just write a harmless makeout session or two.
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Guest: I wish I knew. Only thing I know is that I took a near two month break, maybe the break allowed me to recharge mentally.
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Now that I've got that out of the way, I've got another shoutout. It's for a story titled "A New Aegis" by "Speediii". It's a what if where Pyra gives Rex her entire Core Crystal and turns him into her successor at the expense of…..well, it's obvious. I had originally seen two chapters, but the writer had posted a new chapter after two and a half years. And I'm very interested in seeing where this goes.
And a special thanks to Temporal King for beta reading this story, and providing feedback.
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Summary: Now resurrected as the Driver of the Aegis, Rex's new objective is to get away from the terrorists that had hired him while getting everyone to safety. All the while, Nia begins to feel an odd pain in her chest.
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Taking one last look at the sword that appeared in his hands, Rex took one look at the ceiling before realizing with a smirk "I could melt the floor above me. Be faster than running and try to catch up by foot." Crouching, he took a moment to concentrate as the intense flames of his new weapon blazed more intensely than before.
Trusting in the searing heat radiating from the young brunet, he leapt with the world's worst battle cry as Rex proceeded to melt every floor that got in his way.
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Ever since Nia had watched Rex die, she felt a wave of emptiness that would've consumed her if she didn't have Dromarch by her side. The catgirl had no idea why, but she felt some kind of connection with the young adult after hearing him out. And when Jin had killed him via impalement, she felt a pain she hadn't felt in a long time.
It was quiet as the trio of Drivers and their Blades had walked out of the ancient vessel. Being the muscle of the group, Malos carried the casket holding the Aegis, while Nia trailed behind, the unusual pain the Gormotti had felt already beginning to eat away at her sanity.
There was a problem; Malos didn't want Alrest to know of the Aegis's return. And there was still a large group of Salvagers they had hired to help them find the Aegis. Now that those men had paid with their lives, there was only one thing left to do. But his hands were full, Jin could dispose of them, but the less their leader overexerted himself, the better.
Seeing no other option, the ebony haired brute ordered "Nia, end them!"
"What?" The silver haired woman asked with a confused tone as she clung to her ivory tiger.
Turning around, Malos noticed the fatigued colleague, and his tone changed to that of a softer tone. Well, as soft as he could get. "Are you….alright?"
Jin had seen the look on her face, and the pain in her amber eyes. He had….known that pain before.
"Yeah…..still chipper. Wha' do you wan' me ta do again?" Nia asked, failing to hide her dismay.
Unsure of what was troubling her, Malos requested "Ask Akhos to check on you. I'll take care of this." As the grunt walked away to dispose of their hired help, Nia suddenly fell on her knees.
"Milady!" Dromarch asked, concern visible in his royal blue eyes.
Putting a hand on her chest, the yellow suited girl explained "I dunno why, but I can feel…..yet I watched him di-"
As if this night wasn't getting bizarre enough, the slab of metal Malos was carrying spontaneously burst into flames. Freaking out, the giant tossed the casket as the thing began to melt in his grip before exploding upon impact. Everyone watched with awe and confusion as a plume of fire lit the night sky. Once the flames began to die down, the crew of mercenaries and Salvagers began to notice the Aegis, clad head to toe in red, standing on a pillar looking down with a distraught look on her face.
That pain and emptiness Nia began to feel seemingly vanished as she whispered to her Blade "Wait. If the Aegis has returned, then Rex…" Almost on cue, a part of the floor began to glow an intense orange, and the unfortunately comical yell of Rex was uttered as the brunet melted right through it. A smile on her face had formed as she saw the once dead boy standing as if he had just taken a nap. "Rex…." Nia whispered with an overjoyed look as she noticed….an emerald saltire on his chest.
Beginning to stand up, the brunet pointed the blazing scarlet sword of the Aegis at Jin as he declared accusingly, "You've got a lot of nerve to kill people like us! You bloody psychopath!" Sensing Pyra right behind him, the brunet looked up with a smile as he barked "Pyra, let's get these guys to safety!"
"You got it, Rex!" The redhead yelled back, as she leapt off her spire, ready to assist her new Driver. Nodding, Rex charged with a determined look in his vibrant golden eyes.
Slowly putting a gloved hand on his lengthy nodachi, Jin thought "So you chose this boy as your Driver. Very well, Pyra." But before he could draw it, he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Let me deal with him, Jin. I want to see how good he is!" Malos reassured him. Nodding, his ivory haired superior walked away to let his colleague fight Rex. In truth, Jin was curious about the young adult.
Calmly walking towards Rex, Malos put a hand behind his back as he prepared his tonfa. Ready to deliver a hammerblow, the brunet was taken aback when his opponent drew his tonfa faster than he could blink.
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Having landed on solid ground, Pyra had dashed, ready to assist her new Driver. She had fought Malos before, and knew full well how dangerous that man could be. What she didn't expect was to hear a voice warning her "Pyra, heads up!"
Narrowly dodging a boxer's hook, the redhead slid across the iron floor, and did a backflip as she faced the individual that tried to punch her. "Aegis, over here!" Sever growled in an attempt to intimidate her. Noting the pentagonal Core Crystal on the chest of the bluish black Blade. Pyra took a moment to look at Malos's weapon, where she noticed a similar Core Crystal.
"Oh, shit! Malos is a Driver!" Pyra thought…..well that voice wasn't her's.
Figuring this Blade was going to distract her while Rex was fighting Malos on his own, Pyra's attitude changed from concern to anger as a set of fireballs appeared in her hands.
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"Okay, this dude isn't human!" Rex thought to himself. Withdrawing his weapon, the brunet attempted a stab, only for Malos to parry and deliver a swing of his own. Dodging a jab, Rex attempted another stab, Malos dodged. Taking the opportunity, the Salvager soon turned his stab into a quick swing, which proved useless as the obsidian brute blocked the swing.
"You're not half bad, kid. But we can't let you take someone like the Aegis for yourself!" Malos sarcastically complimented.
Scoffing, Rex remarked "I'm counting on it!" Leaping into the air, the brunet drew his flare gun and pointed it towards the sky. With the crimson light flying high enough to temporarily illuminate the night sky, the brown haired diver took a passing glance at the crew of the Maelstrom. "Get yourselves out of here! I'll hold the bastards off!"
"But what about you, Rex?!" He heard as he tossed the flare gun to the side.
"I've got Gramps coming my way, save yourselves!" Rex quickly barked.
The brunet was expecting anger when he let it slip that he had an escape plan. Instead, Malos showed amusement. "You're a crafty one….but they're not getting away!" Delivering a jab that sent Rex reeling, Malos leapt to the back of the vessel, as he tossed his weapon towards the sky as the blacket cried "Sever!"
The Blade's attempt to distract Pyra was short-lived as he instinctively jumped into the sky, caught the tonfa and unleashed an intense surge of wind snarling "You're dead!"
"Rex!" The redhead heard in the back of her mind. That attack could tear Rex to shreds if it hit.
Without saying a word, Pyra was quick to get in front of her Driver as she conjured a spherical shield to protect him.
Impressed by her abilities, Rex exclaimed "Thank you, Pyra."
"You're welcome." The redhead replied with a confident smile on her face.
Taking a passing glance at the rust bucket they called the "Maelstrom", Rex noticed the crew having already departed, and the ship was already sailing away. Smiling, he declared "The Maelstrom's almost out of range. Let's keep them distracted a little more!"
"Then don't let up!" Pyra advised, and the two charged at Malos and his respective Blade.
All the while Nia watched, unsure of what to do. Ever since Jin had taken her in, the Gormotti felt an obligation to do everything for him. But after she started feeling a closeness to Rex, and watched him die, she was torn in her allegiance. Hoping to reason with her allies, Nia pleaded "Malos, stop it! What good does it do you, walloping on someone like Rex!"
Continuing to exchange blows with the young adult, the ebony haired giant remarked "Walloping? Don't make me laugh, Nia! This someone...decided to make himself the Aegis's Driver!" Noting the Maelstrom's departure, Malos grinned as he forced the Salvager back. Taking a flying leap backwards, the brute remarked "And you, boy, have made my job easier! We got a ship to sink, Sever!" Perching themselves on a very high railing, the obsidian Driver and his navy Blade prepared an attack that could possibly break a ship.
"I don't think so!" Pyra replied with a defiance in her normally gentle voice. The emerald markings and her Core Crystal illuminated all along her body as she instructed "Rex, follow my lead!"
"You got it!" Rex remarked as the two of them held the deep crimson sword. Concentrating on the bond they've developed, he and Pyra unleashed a monstrous sword of fire as they charged and leapt into the air to deliver a downward swing!
"BUUURRRNNNNNIIIIINNNNNGG SWWOOOORRRRDDDD!" The two shouted in unison as the blade of fire detonated as soon as they struck Malos…..only for Malos to have blocked an attack that easily should've killed him.
His power combined with Sever to block the attack, the blacket calmly remarked with an annoyed tone "You little brat...how can a nobody like you wield the Aegis-l?" Taking a closer look at the golden eyes of that Salvager they had hired, for the briefest of moments the brunet's dark brown hair had turned silver, and his face looked older.
"No way...it can't be that easy!" Malos thought as the memory of a silver haired adult lingered in his mind.
Clenching a fist, the ebony adorned man stated "I knew I should've been wary of hiring you."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Rex questioned with a confused tone.
Grinning, Malos responded with a fierce look in his grey eyes "Like I'd tell you." His off hand glowed with a dark amethyst as he delivered a strike that pushed Rex and Pyra backwards as the four of them landed on the deck of the ship. "Though I'm impressed." He bragged. "Few people can wield the power of the Aegis."
Noticing his opponent's hand still glowing with a dark purple aura, Rex got on his feet as he charged once more. Whatever Malos was going to try, the sapphire dressed Salvager figured that he was best off finishing the fight as he jumped and tried another hammer-
Malos calmly grabbed the blade of Rex's sword, all momentum completely interrupted.
Seeing an opportunity to take the brunet down, the muscle of the group punched Rex square in the gut…...which would've landed if the reawakened Driver hadn't caught the rounded end of the tonfa with his off hand. Not only that, but Rex's palm was glowing with an orange fiery aura as he slowly pushed his opponent's out of the way.
"What the hell?" Malos asked himself in confusion.
Pyra and Nia watched with awe as the Salvager saw an opportunity to attack. "Take this!" Rex cried as he deployed the cleats on his boots, and attempted to smash Malos's face in, only for the latter to violently swing him and then hurl him like a meteor into a steel wall. Worse, the speed at which he had been hurled left him unable to react. Especially as he felt his shoulder crack when he slammed against the wall. Realizing that his arm had been broken, Rex could only scream as the pain rendered him immobile.
Grinning as he saw the young man struggle, Malos jokingly advised "Don't get cocky, you little sh-"
"EEEEEYYYYYYAAAAHHHHHHH!"
Watching her Driver crash with enough force to dent the wall, Pyra was ready to run and check on him out of worry. But the Aegis suddenly felt an excruciating pain in her shoulder as the redhead cupped her arm with a free hand, and fell on her knees. Realizing that she felt Rex's arm break, the poor woman could only scream from the pain, unable to think of anything else.
Raising an eyebrow in confusion, Malos approached the redheaded Blade as she writhed in pain as he asked "What's going on?" Figuring his Blade had injured the Aegis, the blacket aggressively asked "Sever, what did you do?!"
Taken aback by the demand, the bluish black xenomorph responded "It wasn't me! The Aegis was about to run to her Driver, but suddenly grabbed her arm as if someone broke it."
Pyra struggled to hold back tears as she struggled to shrug off the pain. Worse, as she tried to get up with the one good arm she had left, Pyra heard Rex wince from the injury.
Then she felt a surge of energy as her arm began to feel better. "What's going on?" Pyra asked herself.
Sensing a change in the ether that flowed in the air, Malos noticed the yellow suited Nia casting a healing art on Rex to restore his arm.
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That did it for Nia. The catgirl was conflicted in leaving Torna after recent events. But watching Rex get tossed like a lifeless ragdoll after he had been slain; the silver haired Gormotti knew she was better off taking her chances with the young Salvager. Seeing the perfect distraction as Malos checked on Pyra, she whispered "Dromarch, let's go!" Nodding as she got on his back, the vanilla furred tiger was quick to run up to the injured Rex where they wasted no hesitation on healing his broken arm.
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Diverting his attention from Pyra, Sever started to restrain the recovering Pyra as Malos angrily asked "Nia, what the hell are you doing? Have you gone mad?!"
Drawing her ring like chakrams, Nia growled "You're one to talk, smacking around and trying to kill an honest man!"
"Nia...I don't think you understand the situation." The blacket warned.
Gesturing Dromarch to continue without her, she took a defensive stance as she questioned with a fierceness in her amber eyes "And why should I? All I see is a man that just became a Driver of the fabled…...Aegis…"
If someone was to be asked what he or she knew about the Aegis, that someone would ask back "Who wouldn't?" After all, the Aegis was said to have power that no other Blade could replicate. And if Torna was after the Aegis….
An anger formed in Nia's eyes as she snarled "You're after the Aegis, aren't you!?"
"Finally, you're starting to get it!" Malos exclaimed, as he threw his arms up in annoyance. "Now get out of my way-"
"Enough!" Pyra cried as she unleashed an explosion of fire that staggered Malos and sent Sever reeling. Seeing his Blade covered in burns that would be short lived, it didn't change the fact that he felt genuine anger in seeing his companion getting injured.
Knowing Pyra needed it, Rex noticed her sword right next to him as he grabbed it and tossed it to her.
Catching the sword, she delivered a hammer blow of her own to Malos, who effortlessly took it. Vibrant crimson eyes locked with the dull, almost lifeless gray. Breaking the lock, Malos charged at her like a beast, every blow harboring the intent to knock her down. His advantage, she had been asleep for 5 centuries and wasn't fighting at her full power. Her advantage, the last time the two had fought, she had severely injured him, so he couldn't fight at HIS full power.
But even Pyra knew that an injured animal could be more dangerous than one that wasn't as she frantically redirected Malos's swings with his tonfa with swings of her own.
Rex and Nia watched as the ruby Blade clashed with the obsidian Driver. It was a sight watching the Aegis fight on her own, as she nimbly dodged the strikes that came her way. But what concerned Rex was that Malos was keeping up with her with a prowess that left him telling himself "He has to be a Blade! There's no way someone can keep up with Pyra like this!"
"I'm amazed Malos's still this relentless, Pyra!" The red and black dressed Blade heard in her head. "I can sense…..someone coming our way. Seems like a Titan."
Realizing that might've been the person Rex was talking about, Pyra prepared to play the stall game as she dodged a flurry of swings and conjured a barrage of fireballs to slow Malos down. The last projectile that struck created an explosion, giving Pyra an opportunity to strike back.
Locking swords with his opponent, Malos confidently remarked "This takes me back 500 years….but what's with that look?...unless your plan is to go to Elysium!"
"That...is...our dream!" The scarlet haired bombshell responded in defiance.
Malos couldn't let that happen. He needed her to achieve his own goals, and if she got to Elysium before he did…
"Then I have no choice but to stop you!" The ebony haired Driver defiantly declared as he broke the sword lock, and tried to knock her down with a charged punch, only for Pyra to dodge the punch with an acrobatic flip, as she spun through the air.
Taking a defensive stance, the Aegis readied to continue fighting, but a roar ended the fight as the winged Titan Azurda showed up, and unleashed a wall of fire dense enough to separate Malos and Jin from Pyra and Rex. "Jin….still you persist." The dragon remarked as he saw the ivory haired swordsman. Seeing the ebony haired warrior, Azurda remarked to himself with dread "Is that….Malos!"
There was no time to ask questions; all that mattered was getting Rex out of here. "Rex, climb aboard!" The elder dragon roared as he unleashed a volley of pyrokinetic blasts at Malos and Jin.
Nia was astounded by the sight of the Titan, but she was quick to throw Rex on Dromarch as the three bolted out of there.
Grabbing Pyra, the quartet of Drivers and Blades were quick to hightail it out of there, especially as the black and gold ship they called the Monoceros began to show up, cannons ready.
Wanting to back up an old friend, Pyra was quick to conjure a shield dense enough to protect Azurda as the barrage of explosive projectiles were hurled their way. Even with her power, she struggled to maintain the barrier that was keeping them safe from the cannon shots that continued to assault the retreating group.
Fearing of losing his grandfather, the brunet out of instinct raised a palm as he cried "No!" But he suddenly created a golden shield not too different from what Pyra was dispelling as he assisted his Blade in defending Azurda. But the impact of the explosions was enough to knock the brunet unconscious, as he was thrown back…...and would've fallen into the Cloud Sea if Nia hadn't caught him. The Aegis nearly screamed in worry before seeing him held tightly by that Gormotti girl.
"I've got him. Dromarch, help her!" Nia quickly ordered, as her partner was quick to conjure a barrier alongside Pyra. With two Blades combining their power, nothing was going to hit them as they were soon out of firing range of the Monoceros.
Refusing to let them get away, Malos was quick to order "They gave us the slip! Turn the Mono-"
"No." Jin declared calmly.
Turning around to look at his friend in confusion, the midnight armored warrior asked "What?"
"They won't go far." Jin explained reassuringly, his icy blue eyes looking in the direction Azurda had flown off. "For now, the Aegis has returned; that's all that matters. I'll ask Akhos to find them."
Sighing, Malos put his weapon away as he muttered "Very well. I guess that's enough for now."
Once they were off the ancient vessel, the now useless ship was dropped into the depths of the Cloud Sea once more as Malos and Jin departed on the Monoceros.
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Once they were out of range, Pyra smiled sadly as she dispelled the shield. Realizing they weren't being followed, the redhead turned around to face her new companions as she asked "Is everyone…..okay?" Her expression had quickly turned to that of worry as she saw her Driver, eyes closed and his body nestled in the lap of a possible friend. For the faintest of seconds, the sight of the unconscious Rex turned to that of a lifeless Gormotti boy that once meant so much to her. Fear began to pervade her face as she thought her Driver had died upon her return as she subconsciously rested a hand on his face.
"Nononononononononononononononononononono!" The Aegis heard in her mind.
What snapped the Aegis out her trance was the feeling of his still present body heat. Not only that, but Nia was quick to hand the unconscious Rex over as she reassured the Blade "Rex is still alive, he'll be okay. But whatever happened, he….needs to rest." If there's one thing Nia knew as a Driver, it was that the Driver was the center of a Blade's universe. And since Rex had just become a Driver, the more time he was around his Blade, the better.
Not to mention that the Aegis had a horrified look on her face like someone died when she saw Rex in his current state. Whatever thoughts were already flowing through her head, Nia needed to make them positive.
Whatever fear was present on Pyra's face soon turned to joy as she held the sleeping brunet and remarked with a sad smile "Thank you, miss….."
"Call me Nia." The yellow suited woman introduced. "My Blade's Dromarch."
Overhearing that his grandson might've been harmed, Azurda slowed down and landed in the open ocean of clouds, as the draconic Titan turned his entire head around to ask with a demanding tone "What happened to my Rex?"
The catgirl was worried about how to explain, but Pyra was quick to remark "At ease, Azurda. Rex is still okay. Malos had hurt him, but Nia and her Blade had saved us."
"Wait, you two know each other?" the silver haired Driver had asked.
Still smiling, the scarlet eyed woman explained "That's a long story. And I'd rather explain when Rex's awake."
"That's fair." Nia remarked as she looked at the night sky. Getting up, the young woman stretched her arms, as she offered "I can keep watch."
Figuring that the group had been through a lot, Pyra offered "I've been asleep for 500 years, I can do that."
Shrugging her shoulders, Nia responded "Thanks." before falling asleep.
Smiling, Pyra noticed the hut that served as Rex's home as she returned him to his bed. Departing to catch up with an old friend, Pyra remarked with a gentle voice "It's been a long time, Azurda."
"Indeed it is." The dragon replied as he observed the Core Crystal on her chest. "What happened to your Core?"
Her expression turned somber as Pyra explained with a sad look in her crimson eyes "Jin…..had killed Rex, and I had no choice but to give up a half of my life force. If I can reach Elysium…...Father can safely remove the Core that Rex is now carrying."
"I see. And you seek to reach Elysium?" Azurda asked, intrigue written all over his yellow eyes.
Smiling confidently, the redheaded Aegis responded "I do. But with Malos and Jin….I want to stop them first."
A sympathetic frown had formed on the Titan's face as he remarked "The fate of an Aegis never changes.
Making herself comfy next to her Blade, Nia observed the Blade and Titan converse with interest.
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The first thing Rex had noticed was the ceiling of his hut as his eyes had opened. The brunet had noticed that he was back in his bed, as he wondered "Was that all just a dream?"
What he didn't expect was the presence of a warm body as he noticed a feminine arm wrapped around his chest. Turning around, he noticed a redheaded woman laying next to him, with a gentle smile on her face. While grateful to see his new Blade next to him, Rex was also confused as he whispered to the Aegis "Pyra?"
Hearing his voice, her bright red eyes slowly opened and a blush formed on her face from being so close to him. "Sorry, I was worried you would freeze. So I figured it was best to sleep beside you."
Chuckling lightly, the brunet responded as he got out of bed "Well, thanks for that. So how did we get back to Gramps."
"Nia can help bring you up to speed." The Aegis reassured him as she followed suit and stretched her slender arms.
"Wait, she's here?" Pyra nodded in response. Leaving the hut, he noticed the Gormotti woman observing the morning sunrise. Grateful to see her again, Rex acknowledged "Morning, Nia."
Turning around, the silver haired catgirl responded "Mornin', Rex. How are you holding up?"
"I'm…..fine. Though ever since I became Pyra's Driver." The brunet attempted to explain, but he couldn't help but notice something off. "Is it me, or has the air gotten weird?"
Now curious, Azurda turned around to face the group as he asked "What do you mean?"
"I wish I knew...it's just….it's like there's something in the air, but I can't see it." Pointing a palm away from the group, the young man suddenly suddenly produced a small flame, prompting him to freak out as he frantically shook his hand. But what confused him was that Rex didn't feel any burning sensation or pain even as he succeeded in getting rid of the tiny fire.
Flashing back to when Rex had blocked Malos's weapon with just a hand, and how the brunet attempted to shield Azurda during their retreat…...Pyra realized something concerning. Looking at the saltire on his chest, the redhead came to one worrying conclusion. "Rex…."
"Yes, Pyra?"
A remorseful look appeared on her face as she explained "I didn't think this could happen. But ever since I gave you a part of my Core…...you can use Ether….like a Blade."
"What?" Rex, Nia and Azurda screamed in unison.
Realizing what this meant, the azurian armored man exclaimed "So I'm like a mini Aegis now?!"
Fearing of the consequences, Pyra apologized "I'm so sorry! I wasn't expecting this to happen when I had revived you!" Looking down in shame as the redhead tried to defend herself. What the Aegis didn't expect was the feeling of a warm pair of arms wrapping around her.
Attempting to comfort Pyra, Rex explained "It's alright, Pyra. And besides, if I'm able to use your powers like you, then I'll be able to protect you from people like Malos and Jin."
"...thank you, Rex."
"I don't mean to intrude, but we should find somewhere to control that." Azurda interjected.
"I'd agree." Nia chimed in.
Confused, the brunet questioned "Is it because it's not common for humans to be able to use Ether like a Blade?"
For someone his age, it amused the Gormotti with how sheltered he must've been. Then again, what the amber eyed figure was about to ask wasn't common knowledge. "What do you know about Flesh Eaters?" Nia asked.
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So for a funny story, I was meaning to play through Xenoblade 2 before I resumed writing, but the amount of support I was getting motivated me to get another chapter in. Anyway, I should revisit Xenoblade Chronicles 2; an analyst I tend to watch made a video talking about the ideal playthrough, which involves playing both XC2 and Torna: The Golden Country. If you want to know what this approach looks like, it's basically this (spoilers if you SOMEHOW haven't played Torna already):
Step 1: Start XC2, and play through the main story until Chapter 3.
Step 2: Start Torna, and play until the Gort fight in the Torigoth remains.
Step 3: Finish Chapter 4 of XC2.
Step 4: Play Torna until you see the sparring scene with Addam and Mythra vs Lora and Haze.
Step 5: Play through all of Chapter 5 (which ironically begins with the same sparring session between Addam and Lora).
Step 6: Jump back into Torna, and play until you've cleared the first Malos fight in Auresco.
Step 7: Tackle Chapter 6, and play until you're subjected to the world's biggest "F you!" I will ever hear in a game.
Step 8: Finish Torna: TGC, cry your eyes out, and wish you can give Pyra/Mythra a hug to make them feel better.
And Step 9: After sobbing your eyes out from the depressing as hell ending (admit it, I KNOW YOU DID), start Chapter 7 to Xenoblade 2 and play to the end of the game.
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Next Chapter: A Harsh Misunderstanding.