Chapter 8: On the Path Ahead
Elsewhere in the Cloud Sea, at the same time as the party taking their leave of Garfront, another incident was occurring.
An Ardanian transport ship, en route to Indol with a large shipment of Core Crystals wasn't quite going to reach its destination. The crew was in a panic, running all over. Soldiers took arms even as their comrades fell all around them, and all because of one man, Jin. The common soldiers all went down with ease, his sword flashing through the air faster than any of them could track it as he strode forward without a hint of slowing down.
Not even a full group of Drivers made him slow his pace. One charged, and Jin's blade flashed one time only, the man dropping to the ground. Jin's next step came so quickly he seemed to vanish, flashes in the air past each of the Drivers, and when Jin reappeared, all of them dropped. And with barely time to process the result, all of the Blades reverted to dim Core Crystals.
The last thing to be cut down was the door before him, Jin striding past and into the room filled with contained Core Crystals, the masked man looking them over with a cold gaze.
"I almost can't help but wonder… Vaios, when you learn the truth of what's going on with this world, what will your thoughts be?"
That Titan ship was soon to sink into the Clouds, and as for its shipment, it would never see its destination. Such is the flow of the world.
The path to Fonsa Myma from Garfront was the opposite way of the other exit the party had taken. It brought them back out and past the path they had taken to get to the village at first, and into another cave that brought them to a new part of the Titan. Unlike the relatively drab caves near the heights of Uraya, the way that opened to the party led to a lush, verdant cliffside that overlooked the vaster region of Uraya's center.
"Welcome to the Cobalt Cliffs, one of the best views in all Alrest!" Vandham stopped the party as they looked out at the expanse before them, the glimmering blue of the massive lake below the cliffs stretching out as far as one could see, and perhaps even more luckily was the current presence of Uraya's own "weather", falling flecks of visible ether that filled the air with falling shimmers of blue.
"Damn I wish I had a camera." Vaios said, giving a whistle as he put a hand over his eyes, then giving a rueful hiss. "Though I doubt a black and white picture would look as good as what's right in front of us."
"True shame that technology not so good for now!" Tora commented, Vaios nodding as he folded his arms. "On other hand, Tora quite proud of visualization ability of Poppi! It top of line, not even Mor Ardain can replicate!"
"I'm sure there's a lot about Poppi people can't replicate Tora." Nia commented, the Nopon not losing his proud air, of anything only looking smugger.
"Hahaha! Looks like all that chatter about the Aegis was true!" However, a sudden new voice drew away from the moment of casual banter, every member of the group looking around for the source of the speaker.
"Oh what now?! We left Garfront ten minutes ago, at least give us some time!" Vaios sighed as he looked around, his eyes turning forward as someone walked out from behind some walks, Vaios lowering the arm near his face as the individual entered his field of view. It would have probably been menacing with the new pair that arrived. Menacing, if not for their odd poses and rather out of place hoods in a place like Uraya. "Really?"
The man was tall and muscular, in clothes that had surely seen better days and with so many belts slapped over them to where they also seemed to be taking the place of any kind of shirt beneath his tattered coat, and the large sword on his back, with its Ether glow immediately said he was a Driver. The other part of this odd pair was a short woman, dressed equally extravagantly but also with a tail tipped in a light bulb. Such an oddity made it obvious she had to be a Blade. What was about as odd was also the fact the two were in the exact some pose as one another.
"That's quite a burden there pal, you sure you're up to it?" The man said, Vaios taking a leaning stance as the man and Blade nodded to one another. "See sense, step aside, and let the big boys take charge." And the posing that followed this did nothing to make Vaios take that statement seriously… at all. Arms out, rapidly moving, and clenching his fist after pointing. "Come on, yield the merchandise!"
"You have gotta be kidding me…" Vaios was pinching his nose as the other party members looked equally perplexed by the display in front of them. Vaios groaned as his foot tapped, lowering his hand and folding his arms. "So what, you're another couple of schmucks after the Aegis for some Architect damned reason or another? Again, hasn't even been an hour since we left and already, we're… ffffuuuu… Vandham do you have any idea who this guy is?"
"Never seen 'im before in my life." Vandham said, Vaios nodding.
"Bah!" The man scoffed, and with a dramatic throw of their arms, he and the Blade threw their hoods aside and revealed… faces nobody in the party knew at all, so the gasps everyone but Vaios did were more an impulsive reaction than anything genuine. And if anything, their post reaction was wanting to take those gasps back at also realizing the "reveal" changed absolutely nothing.
"We still don't know who you two are!" Vaios shouted in return to the pointless action, though at least it did make the two's faces clearer to see. The man had a mess of dark grey hair, chiseled features, and for some reason an eyepatch over his left eye, with no sign of needing one present. The Blade woman had dark green hair and large glasses that for some reason hid her eyes, and her hair topped by a small light bulb hat… that was glowing. Again, for some reason.
"Ugh…" And again, the man and Blade took the same poses at the same time as he balked in disbelief at that reaction. "You really are a bunch of rinky-dink, bogus, two-bit, no-mark Drivers, aren't you?"
"Well apparently you aren't that well known either." Vaios replied, and the man lurched like he had just been shot by an arrow clean into the chest. "Also, why the hell is your Blade synched up with your posing?"
"Well, that stung, surprisingly."
"Or sure just brush my question off, totally cool."
"Behold, the mighty Zeke! Von! Genbu! Bringer of Chaos!" As the man loudly declared who he was, he kept jabbing at himself with a thumb as he also walked forward… and again his Blade was mimicking all of his motions. "Mostly known as Zeke. And often addressed as… THE ZEKENATOR! Behold my Blade! Pandoria!"
"Still have no idea who you are!"
"And this is my sword, the Purple Lightning Dreamsmasher!"
"The hell kinda name is that?!"
"If you want a taste, come and get it!"
"What the hell is this introduction?!"
"Will you stop interjecting when I'm in the middle of my lines?!" Zeke stamped his foot as he finally got fed up with Vaios's mid line jabs, the young man only raising a brow in return as Zeke grumbled. "You just totally ruined the mood I was aiming for! It was supposed to be intimidating, dramatic, grand! A build up to a grand test against the Aegis itself!"
"Yeah well acting like a stage actor sure as hell didn't sell it!" Vaios said, then just giving a long sigh and shaking his head. "We also don't have the time. We're good. Seeya."
"What?! Good?! No!" As the party began to move past, Zeke, shocked at the sheer audacity that was undercutting his display-though really just about anyone would do so-led to him shaking his head, and then him and Pandoria zipping around and ahead of the party. "Wait you barbarians!"
"This guy… I'm tired of him already." Nia said, Ursula peeking out from behind Dromarch. "Dromarch, Ursula, just hang back."
"Gah, you think you lowlifes can lick the three of us?!"
"Three?" Vaios said, looking back and forth between Zeke and Pandoria. "You got some third Blade stashed up your coat or something?"
"Maybe it's up his arse." Nia said, Vaios covering his mouth to stop himself from laughing out loud.
"Maybe some kind of pet?" Haze suggested. And it also seemed about now, Zeke and Pandoria looking at each other, and seeming too non-verbally talk like they thought this was a misunderstanding… somehow.
"Huh? Oh, get a load of this… Behold, our beloved mascot! Turters, reveal yourself!" Zeke started rummaging around in his cloak, still acting dramatically… only to realize whatever this Turters he was rummaging for wasn't present. "Huh?! Turters? Turters! Where are you boy?! Turrterrrss!"
"Can we move on please?" Vaios muttered, covering his eyes with a hand, Haze giving him a sympathetic pat on the arm.
"Oh!" Pyra had seemed to find something though, the girl looking down at her feet and seeing a small turtle shuffling around. She reached down and gently picked the small creature up, its tail shuffling around as she lifted it. "Hello little guy, how're you? What are you doing out here all alone?"
"Ah-ah-ah Turters!" Zeke shot up from his looking around, dashing over to the group surprisingly quickly despite doing some kind of weird waddle walk, then nabbing the turtle from Pyra with a quick move. "Handling a man's turtle!"
Vaios on his part wound up moving in front of Pyra a bit as he glared off at Zeke and Pandoria now fawning over their pet.
"If he was after Pyra couldn't he have just grabbed her? He moved pretty damn fast too." Vaios couldn't help but take in the situation from that point of view, even if he really just wanted to get moving again already.
"Ugh, what an idiot." Nia grumbled, and the others nodded, inclined to agree with her.
"Gah, listen, whatever!" Zeke pocketed Turters and then pointed at the group, again in an overdramatic manner. "She'll be mine soon enough! Got a problem with that?! Then come at me! And don't hold ba-"
Before Zeke could even finish the statement, Vaios had suddenly appeared in front of him, Aegis Blade drawn and ready to slash.
"Don't say I didn't warn you."
Vaios slammed his sword down with all the force he could throw into the strike. Zeke blocked with his larger blade, being sent skidding back as Vaios followed through. He stood straight, putting a hand behind his neck as he popped it a bit, and Nia was staring at Vaios in surprise.
"Vaios, ya' can't be serious right now." Nia just put her hands on her hips, and Vaios rolled his free arm as Zeke got done reorienting himself.
"This guy is clearly itching for a fight. Let's keep it one-to-one, yeah? It'll go faster that way."
"Well aside from the surprise of that, it seems you're a right ol' chap! Alright then, have at thee!"
"Save the theatrics!"
Vaios adjusted his stance as Zeke took the first move in return. Opposed to the fact the Aegis Blade took most of its length from the flaming edge, Zeke's sword was solid throughout all but its edges as with any Blade weapon. Despite the man's grandiose behavior Vaios saw there was clearly skill behind the man's blows as their weapons repeatedly clashed into one another.
But true to his want to just carry on, Vaios didn't give the duel much time at all. After parrying a strike, Vaios swept his sword up, flames following the blade. Zeke blocked the strike but being blown back in the wave of fire. As he skid to a stop, Zeke chuckled while retaking his stance, Vaios setting back into his own.
"We done here?" Vaios said, his gaze focusing.
"Good try, not bad." Zeke said, Vaios's gaze narrowing a bit.
"If you're gonna boast so much, why are you holding back?" Vaios said, Zeke making a surprised sound.
"Oh you could tell?" But his composure returned quickly. Though it seemed more like he was trying to play it off for some reason. "B-b-but! Wipe yourselves down and get ready for my super-ultra-mega-move!"
"Adding more of the same word doesn't make it better!" Vaios snapped, Nia's huff much drier.
"We're waiting with bated breath, for your super-duper-whatever." Nia's biting, and clearly just as exasperated as Vaios tone, also came with Zeke's body beginning to course with electricity all along it.
"You asked for it! Hyaargh!" Zeke gave a swing of his blade, the lightning come from him and it washing out, Vaios setting his stance down as more and more lightning gathered at Zeke's sword. "Bringer of Chaos! Ultimate Lightning Fury Slash!"
"The hell is that name?!"
Zeke shot high into the air with his sword running over with power. He came down with a hard smash that, while the shockwave was impressive, also completely failed to hit the party in any form. The man smirked like he had just shown off some grand power, but from where his sword was stuck in the ground, cracks started shooting across the ground. Followed by the portion of the cliff Zeke and Pandoria were on proceeded to shatter, the two falling far enough one could hear the splashes as they fell into the lake below.
"What was all of that?" Vaios muttered, disengaging the Aegis Blade as he went to the newfound edge on the cliff. "I know it's weird to say but… think they'll be okay?"
"Well if he's an idiot then sure! Idiots are notorious for being able to survive the impossible without a scratch." Nia slapped Vaios on the back, who shrugged in response.
"Don't see that everyday." Vandham said.
"Come on, that's enough nonsense." Nia started off first, Vaios nodding as everyone else followed suit in leaving the scene of the incident.
And so, the party moved on, following the path along as Vandham took the lead to guide them to their destination. True to his word, the trek took hours as they proceeded along the cliff faces, following the path downwards. The path led to a small collection of natural terraced pools, and the natural path beyond it led to an even greater view of the expansive center of Uraya, as far as the eye could see stretched out by further rising paths, the glimmering lack below with creatures swimming in the depths and wandering the shallows, which as Vandham told the group as they proceeded could get shallow enough to easily leave walkable paths to follow on.
"And there she is, just off in the distance over there, Fonsa Myma!" And when the blocking views of the greater cliffs finally broke way, Vandham pointed it out. One could just make out what he was describing, and it was still peds away from the party, but they could still make it out well enough. A grand staircase stretching out from the lake itself, now cut off due to the stairway being damaged. And at the top of that stairway, right at the convergence of Uraya's natural pathways, was the large, terraced city of Fonsa Myma, a view Vaios got a clearer look at when he put on his goggles and used their zoom function to get a better look.
"Talk about massive… the city basically takes up all of the Titan's rear." Vaios noted, Vandham nodding as a reply. "And then there's still more to it past even that… let's see, if memory serves… oh right, the Olethro Playhouse!"
"The what?" Nia said.
"An old amphitheater from ages ago build just outside of Uraya. It was part of this old temple that the city was built outwards from when people first settled here. Place doesn't see any use now, but it's one of Uraya's most famous landmarks, and a historical sight. Legends say the Addam himself received the Aegis at that place." Vandham said, Nia giving a hum as she looked at Pyra, basically asking for confirmation from said Aegis herself.
"He's not wrong." Pyra confirmed. "Addam did awaken me at that location, though it was a different time then."
"Well wait till you meet Cole then, he has quite the story about it, that's for sure! Now c'mon, days getting low, so let's find a place to camp before we carry on yeah?"
Vandham's suggestion got nods, and once they'd managed to do just that, finding a good place along the terraces to settle down and make a camp away from the roaming creatures. Thanks to Garfront the party also had actual camp supplies like bedrolls and other fire starters to make use of, everything the roaming traveler of Titans would need to make things easy.
Though as the other's rested, Vaios was seated at the cliff edge, staring out across the lake and to the city beyond it, his chin resting on a knee as the other leg freely hung over the cliff, the young man clearly lost in thought as his eyes stared off at nothing in particular.
"You can't sleep either?" Haze approached from behind, sitting down next to Vaios, who sighed. "Me neither. I just feel oddly restless right now for some reason."
"You're telling me. Something's just bothering me now… it's just all of these things that feel like they're coming crashing together. Torna… that name means a lot more to me than just the people using it now. It's common knowledge it was the name of one of the Titans that sank during the Aegis War but… it feels like so much more than that to me." Vaios put a hand to his chest as he spoke, closing his fingers as images flashed in his mind. "And it always makes me remember names… Addam, Lora, Hugo… it's nostalgic when those names come to me."
"I kind of wonder what that's like, being able to remember what you've forgotten." Haze looked at her hands, Vaios glancing at her as she gave a breath. "We Blades live countless lives, and we always forgot them after we're gone. We almost never know who our Drivers were, only that we've had many throughout our time. Its like there's some innate knowledge I have, I just know you're not my first Driver. Yet, regardless of that I also feel like you and I have some kind of connection to one another…"
"Well… I think I knew you, and your Driver, a long time ago." Vaios's response got a gasp from Haze, the young man nodding as he adjusted how he was seated. "Her name was Lora. I still don't remember much about her but… you two have the same face, just like sisters even. It's not much, but I do know I didn't know her for long. You were one of her Blades, heck when I awakened you it caused a memory to come on back. You and Lora getting on my case for a training accident that ended with my arm getting popped out of its socket."
"Hahaha, well considering today you are a bit hot headed. Sounds like the kind of accident you'd get yourself into."
"Don't go patronizing me now." Vaios sighed as Haze laughed, the boy chuckling himself as he looked off at the city again. "Still… after running into that Akhos guy, I feel like things are just going to escalate. The Olethro Playhouse… the place where Addam awakened Mythra 500 years ago. It's a lot more important than people probably think it is."
"Well, we'll just have to see where things go from here. But I'll be there the entire way. I'm your Blade too, so feel free to rely on me as much as you do Pyra!"
"And I'll be grateful for it." Vaios nodded and looked out again, giving a chuckle. "Tomorrow is definitely going to be busy, that's for sure."
"Finally!"
With Vaios's own yell of success, after a tiresome day of travel, the party now found themselves at the front gates to Fonsa Myma, the farm area around them abuzz, and nearby an Urayan Titan ship, which opposed to the Aradainian style was carried by the Titans rather than build into it. The sprawl of the city rose before them, and this close its size was much more awe inspiring to behold.
"War with Mor Ardain is looking more and more likely by the day." Dromarch said, Vandham looking over the ships that were present, the burly man giving a low hum.
"Looks like they've expanded the military program. That's a lot of warships…" Vandham's words seemed filled with something to them, maybe worry. It wasn't really like one could say Uraya and Mor Ardain were at peace after all. It was more like a tenuous ceasefire and both sides were waiting to see who'd fire the first shot into reigniting war between the two nations.
"These ships look different to normal ships." Poppi said, Vandham nodding to the artificial Blade.
"Yeah. We don't muck about with our Titans much, no need for it. Urayans like things pretty natural."
"I've seen these kinds of ships back in Argentum before." Vaios said, Azurda popping out from his hood and to his shoulder. "The design philosophies between the two are total opposites to one another. Really shows the differences in culture. Rakham loved droning on about them… and I always listened."
"That could be one reason they're always at each other's throats." Dromarch suggested.
"They've been like cats and dogs for ages now." Azurda said.
"Well from where I stand, the Ardainians are worse." Nia said, flicking at her nose. "All that metal's just in bad taste."
"It's easy to think that way, but you're not considering how the Titans themselves feel." Azurda said, turning around on his perch. Nia raised a brow at that, confusion clearly on her face.
"Huh? But wouldn't all of those modifications hurt?"
"When Titans live with humans, that's just the way it is." Nia just hummed in response, clearly putting thought into it. "Back when I was at my full size, I had a hut on my back and a crane where the sun doesn't shine. I never complained, not even when Rex fired up a grill on my shoulders."
"Rex said you enjoyed that." Vaios said, tapping Azurda on the head.
"Hmm, well, yes, I did quite like it. In fact, I actually miss it!"
"Well unless you wanna become the world's first roast Titan, you'll have to miss it for a while longer."
"I suppose."
The exchange elicited a laugh from the others, and they continued through the gates. The path led them immediately into a large bazaar plaza, strewn about with shops of all kinds, and while mostly populated by Urayans and some Nopons here and there, plenty of other kinds of people could be seen, though few in number they were. But what caught the eye of the party was the line of citizens stretching out from a stall run by soldiers of all people.
"What in… is that some kind of ration line?" Vaios said, Vandham nodding as he stepped past the young man.
"Yeah. The government tries their best to ration out what few resources they have. In practice, it's just first come first served."
They watched as the last in the line, a small girl, reached out for what the soldiers were offering for the day. As sparse as it likely could be it at least put things into perspective. The potential war and many of the populated small Titans dying off was putting a strain on everybody. But when a burly soldier came and pushed the girl out of the way and began mouthing off even as the kid looked terrified, Vaios immediately moved before he could put much thought to it.
"Hey! Pretty rude to shove a little girl out of the way huh?" Vaios stepped between the soldier and girl, the man eyeing him immediate disdain.
"The hell? Who're you kid?"
"Just a traveler without a lot of patience for people like you."
"What do you know brat?! I'm a soldier, been busting my butt to serve this country! I deserve these rations a lot more than some snot nosed brat!"
"And there's the kicker." Vaios smirked as the man went and grabbed him by his jacket. And a second later, as a loud slam sounded through the air. Vaios had punched the man clean in the face and sent him crashing across the plaza without a moment to lose. "Eat my fist for a while if you're so starved then, jackass!"
"Vaios, was that necessary?" Pyra said, sighing when Vaios nodded without a hint of regret about his actions. Though she immediately looked more concerned with the girl. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah… he's really strong isn't it?" the girl pointed at Vaios, who snickered as he put his arms behind his head.
"Yes, but don't let it go to his head, alright?" Pyra's following statement made Vaios lurch, the young man grumbling a bit.
"We should be a bit careful while we're here too." Vandham added, pointing at Pyra's Core Crystal. "I've heard tell of someone spreading rumors around about Pyra here, some Nopon merchant apparently. I'm sure even the grunts like that fool over there have heard about her by now."
"A Nopon merchant?" Vaios tilted his head as he gave thought to that. That made a few questions, because it was not like any merchants had been on that ill-fated venture that resulted in Pyra's awakening. And seemingly the only ones well aware of Pyra's presence were the Ardainians. For now. "Someone from Argentum maybe?"
"Excuse me, Mister Vandham?" The girl then approached Vandham, the man looking surprised as his attention was drawn to the kid.
"Huh? Oh, well if it isn't Iona!" And clearly, he knew who she was, a smile spreading across his face as his tone got cheerier. "You've grown quite a fair bit! How's ol' Granpda Cole doing?" though rather than an equally joyous look, Iona's face turned downward, and Vandham gave a grumble. "Ah, not well then."
"Wait she knows this friend of yours?" Vaios said, Vandham nodding.
"He takes care of her; she might as well be his daughter. This is Iona." As Vandham introduced her, Iona gave a polite nod to the others, who all introduced themselves in turn. "Now c'mon, let's get going before a bigger crowd draws and soldiers show up. We'll be headed a bit further up, so follow along now!"
Taking the lead again, Vandham lead them all up the steps of the other levels of the city, past the marketplace and even the residential area, up until things leveled out for quite a ways again, the city surprisingly easy to get through even with its leveled nature, each path clearly leading to some end or loop back onto the main road. And the place the party reached was dominated by a building, a large theater that stood out quite well among the other buildings of the level.
"Oh my, what a pretty theater!" Haze said, Vandham laughing.
"This place here is run by Cole. He's the leader of the troupe that acts out of this joint, and right now…" Vandham went up to the board at the side of the building, then chuckling as he saw the name of the current play that would be on at this time of day. "They're in the middle of a show. Whaddya say, wanna go take a quick peek?"
"'The Heroic Adventures of Addam.' Might be interesting." Dromarch noted, Pyra gasping a bit.
"Huh, so it's a play about the Aegis War then?" Vaios said, a hand to his chin. "Never been to a theater though, and I can't really say Nopon stand-up night at Argentum counts. The crew got a chuckle out of them."
"Tora never been either!" Tora seemingly also elected to ignore Vaios's jab about Noponic humor.
"Let's do it! Nice and quiet though, looking pretty packed today."
The party entered the theater, quietly so true to Vandham's advice. The room they entered after the hall was indeed packed, enough that they were lucky to find places to sit at the furthest back rows. The lights were set to the stage, currently set with a stylized depiction of the Cloud Sea with a sole ship set on it, a man in theater garb loudly speaking out his narration.
"And I saw at that time that the powers of darkness had engulfed almost everything! People and Titans alike were drawn into the abyssal depths! The apocalypse was upon us, the end was nigh! But then! Despite the wounds all over his body, the great Addam stood…"
And on cue with the narrator, another actor in a costume of fanciful armor strode out onto the ship. Vaios almost couldn't help but hold a wry little smile on his face as he watched, all because of a feeling ticking at him thinking about how there was no way any of this was accurate to actual history. False thunderclaps sounded through the room, "Addam" casting an arm upwards to the brightened top of the set, raising an equally stylized and wholly impractical idea of a sword up as well.
"O Architect! Grant me power! Power to banish the dark! Power to illuminate the world!"
The scene carried on, the ribbons of "cloud" moving aside as "dark creatures" rattled their way on stage, "Addam" leaping from his mount and confronting them. And from above, the light shining there grew brighter as feathers descended. Attached to a somewhat obvious wire descended an actress in a near all white costume with large wings added to it. And again, Vaios found himself smiling wryly about all of this.
"Lo! Loyal servant of the Architect! The Aegis! O Aegis! Bless me with your power! Bring light upon the world!"
"The Aegis" gave a wave of her hand, the lighting changing to amber as "fire" rose around the "dark creatures", who waved their arms around before they fell to the ground. The lighting changed once more, and the narrator strode back into view on the stage as the actors proceeded on, the set shifting to a lit doorway, "Addam" standing over "The Aegis" now on the floor once light returned to give a full view.
"Thus they defeated the darkness! But at a terrible price! Three great continents sank into the sea of clouds, forever!"
Light shifted, and "Addam" was center stage once more.
"Servant of the Architect! By thy power, the world is saved! For the gift you have granted us, we are eternally grateful! I shall spread thy legend far and wide! May your name live on for eternity!"
The curtain fell as "Addam" lifted "The Aegis" and walked off into the lit doorway, the crowd beginning to clap as it closed. Vaios glanced over as it did, noting how Pyra's expression was quite somber in comparison to everyone else who had seemed to be enjoying themselves. And it wasn't very hard for him to imagine why that would be the case.
After the crowd began leaving, Vandham stood first and gestured for everyone to follow him again, leading them to a hall on the other end of the theater that led them to the back parts of the building. Though along the way, Nia pulled at Vaios's sleeve, stopping the young man and only speaking once they were both alone.
"Kind of awkward, right?" Nia said, Vaios taking a moment but then chuckling.
"The play yeah? Well… kinda yeah." Vaios, glancing over his shoulder. "Seeing a play about her must've been kind of weird."
"No kiddin." Nia then tapped Vaios on the arm, putting a finger in his face. "So, maybe, my thought is, go and make it a bit right, yeah? See if she's not like, shaken up about it or anythin'."
"Will do." Vaios nodded, and Nia trotted off with that.
"What was that about?" Pyra suddenly coming up behind him almost made Vaios jump, and he cleared his throat as he turned.
"Oh nothing, just a bit about the play… which, well, you doing alright? It must've been weird, seeing a play about, well… yourself."
"I wasn't bothered at all. In fact, I thought it was incredible! They had the cloth moving like real clouds, how did they do that?"
"I dunno, maybe people on the sides making them wave? I'm not really sure how this stuff works."
"And if anything, it's you I'm a bit worried about." Pyra took Vaios's hand, downright on an impulse of it, the boy blushing a bit as she did. "Did seeing that make you remember anything? You seemed fine the entire time, but considering what it was about…"
"What? Nah, totally fine! I mean sure the entire time I felt kind of… like weirdly amused because it feels like I know how things went but, well… no, not a thing this time." Vaios said, waving his free hand about. "But, well, I'm glad you enjoyed yourself at the least. Puts me at ease a bit too."
"Me too. Let's make sure we don't fall behind the others." Pyra took the lead from there, Vaios putting a hand behind his head as he sighed to himself, then following.
The room they then found themselves at from following Vandham was large, filled to the brim with all kinds of curios of all sorts, and with posters of the plays here and there on the walls as well. The sole occupant of the room was a man in a robe, a large hood currently hiding his features.
"Comin' in old fella!" Vandham greeted, the hooded man glancing back. "Crikey! Still collecting the junk are ya?"
"Watch it you bruiser! Don't make fun of a man's hobbies." The man, no doubt Cole, turned to the lot, his face showing his age, though his smile was wry and playful. And Vaios's eyes widened a bit as he realized something: The man looked incredibly familiar to him for some reason. It wasn't exact, but he felt like he'd seen him somewhere before, somehow.
"Some greeting for your old comrade!"
"Comrade?" Nia said, Vandham nodding.
"Yeah, I was a freelancer before the firm got going. Believe it or not, but me and this old fella tore up a good few battlefields in our day."
"We sure did, and thanks to that bleeding heart of yours we almost never got paid." Cole said so with a wry bit of reminiscence in his voice, Vandham laughing it up in response.
"Hahaha! Says the guy running the theater troupe! You can't exactly be rolling in dough either!"
"Hmph. So, what can I do for you, friend?" It was also at this point Vaios picked up on it a lot more. Cole was speaking with the same accent as himself and the Blades, which meant Cole couldn't be an Urayan, and he definitely wasn't Ardainian or Leftherian if he was speaking like that either.
"Cole, you're old, ain't ya? Old enough to know how to cross over to the World Tree… how to get up to Elysium, that is."
"Elysium? But why? Why would you want to go there?" Cole then looked over the group, and he stopped dead when his eyes came to Pyra and Vaios, seemingly stopping moreso on Vaios than the former. The old man was quiet for a moment, shocked even. Then his jaw clenched a bit, and he nodded. "I see… that Core Crystal, you… so the Aegis is back among us. And… I assume this young man is your Driver? He has the looks of it."
"Well, that's a first. Someone who finds it out and doesn't seem miffed about it." Vaios said, leaning a bit as he shifted into that usual stance of his with his arms behind his head. Cole seemed surprised again when Haze peeked out from behind Vaios, the other Blade looking around at all the things in the room with a curious eye.
"Well… you could say I have a good eye for people." Cole said, though Vaios also caught him saying something under his breath. "He hasn't changed… even after so long."
It was so quiet nobody should have heard him say it, but Vaios always was a bit sharp of hearing. But all that phrase did was confuse him on top of the odd familiarity he was already feeling about the man.
"So how about it old man? Do you know the way or not?" Vandham spoke up again, Cole clearing his throat, like he was refocusing himself.
"I dare say if you've trekked all the way here yourselves to ask me, that you've already tried yourselves?"
"We did… and it didn't go well." Vaios said. "There's some giant machine at the Abyss guarding the World Tree. If we can't get past that thing, then finding a way past the Abyss won't matter at all."
"Well obviously. Nobody can get to the World Tree while that thing is guarding it. In fact, that creature is the reason the Abyss exists in the first place. It's circling of the World Tree gouges the Cloud Sea in its path, preventing any form of normal travel over the clouds from getting close. It won't let anyone past." Cole said, Vaios clicking his tongue. "But a long time ago, there was a man who managed to climb the World Tree. Met the Architect too."
"And who would that be… actually, is that person even alive?" Vaios said, Cole nodding.
"Oh, believe me, he's alive and well. Perfectly healthy despite his age. If you want to learn how to get to the tree, you could try asking him yourself. I'll wager anything he's got some idea how to get there and get past that monster."
"Well then who is he?" Vaios muttered a bit as Cole went silent, and he sighed. He wasn't about to get agitated by the sudden silence. "If there's a way to the tree and whatever is up it, please, we have to find out how. For me… well, it's just as much about finding answers as it is helping Pyra. There's something up there for both of us to find."
"Well, I can tell you. But first, I'd like to have a word with her, if I may. With the Aegis, I mean." Cole gestured to Pyra. Vaios took a moment, but then nodded.
"Alright. I won't argue that. She's free to do what she wants as is." Vaios said, Pyra nodding too.
"Of course." Pyra said, Cole nodding and going to another door in the room.
"Please, through here." Cole opened the door and walked in, Pyra nodding to the others and following. What was inside was a study, much cleaner than the room outside, but also good and quiet if one wanted to speak privately with another.
"Mister Cole, you're the one who wrote that play, right?" Pyra said, Cole nodding.
"I hope it didn't stir up any painful memories."
"No… some of them are… good memories."
"Heh, you know, you're not very convincing. I'm sorry, I really am." Cole let out a breath, giving a sigh as he stroked his bearded chin. "I just wanted people to know about that time. Show people how we were back in those days, really get it across to them. Will you be using it again? That power?"
"I don't know yet."
"I just don't know if the world can take it for a second time." Cole then gave a sigh. "But… if he is with you, the one Addam thought could take his place as the Aegis Driver… tell me, what does Vaios remember? If he even remembers anything at all. I could tell that at the least, even if he didn't know why, he recognizes me, at least somewhat. His eyes are like a storm, he is full of questions, and yet he finds himself confronted by people who know far more about him than he himself does. That much was obvious to me."
"I know that. And I wouldn't use it if there was another way, but… you may also be right about that. This time perhaps… I get the sensation that for some reason, Vaios may be able to draw out a power as great as that and control it. It's like some implicit sense I have… like something further inside of me knows he's capable of it, somehow." Pyra then let out a breath, looking at her separated Crystal. "And as for what you asked, Vaios hardly remembers anything. He gets flashes here and there, vague recollections of memories from that time, but they only ever come to him in pieces, triggered by events or people who would cause them. And I want to help him remember everything, and find the answers he's looking for, but…"
"That man is the only one who can help you get to where you're going." Cole said, then looking off. "But I also cannot say I am sure what him and Vaios meeting will cause. You should remember as well as I do that Vaios never liked him, and that feeling was mutual to one another. If the two were to cross paths, now with Vaios as the Aegis Driver… I fear it could result in bloodshed."
"I… can't answer that."
"I also wanted to be sure if you can even make it to him. Are you sure about it?"
"We can. I mean, it's my destiny."
"Hah! If the boy were in his right state of self, I wonder what he would say to that… you know Vaios never believed in destiny, and I'm sure even without all of his memories he still doesn't. He was, and I do hope he still is, the kind of person who would rather unweave fate's tapestry to the last thread then allow it to bring him and his beloved ones to ruin."
"Well, if you're worried that losing his memories made Vaios change, there's nothing to worry about. He's still the same person he was back then, as kind as ever… though maybe a bit more hot-headed than before, at the very least." Pyra's statement was, clearly to Cole's amusement, full of warmth in it. The affection in her voice was clear, and the old man saw that as quite amusing.
"Well adopted or not, he is that man's brother. The two are more alike than they'd give each other credit over." Cole got a laugh out of Pyra with that remark. "Alright, I'll help you out."
"Thank you, Minoth."
"Haha… Minoth. I'd almost forgotten that name. Now then… where did it get too?" Cole went looking around some things at a desk, and clutched at his chest as he started coughing, the fit rather harsh in sound. The sound of it also came with the door opening, Iona rushing in with Vaios behind her.
"Grandpa!" Iona said, worry all over her face as Cole leaned on the desk.
"Hey, you alright old man?" Vaios said, Vandham peering into the room, also looking worried.
"I-I'll be fine… just give me a second." Cole replied, clearing his throat. "Don't worry about me."
"Nah, we'd better call it a day, old timer." Vandham stepped into the room. "I'm sorry, old fella."
"Yeah, okay… come back again tomorrow, will ya?" Cole then looked at Vaios, the young man returning the gaze. "You, Vaios… when you do, I'd like to have a talk with you as well… there's some things… I think you ought to know, before you leave here, alright? There's also something I want to give you."
"Alright." Vaios nodded, looking worried as Cole bent over in a worse fit than before, pulling his hand back as his fingers closed.
"Come on, I know a place we can go rest." Vandham put a hand on Vaios's shoulder, who nodded again.
As the group left, when they went back through Cole's collection room, Vaios stopped when his eyes caught something. In a space that was rather cleared out compared to the rest of the things in the room, was a sword, mounted on a stand and easily accessible. Double edged and just over a meter in length, the weapon's metal long since dulled to a lack of luster. Its edge was chipped and broken, several scorch marks running along the old blade. The guard was simple and small, and whatever wrapping the hilt may have had was long since gone. The pommel had a small pit that at one time may have held a decorative gem. And pressed into the guard was a sigil, faded yet still capable of being made out… the same flame symbol that Vaios had seen in the derelict ship.
"This is…" Vaios started to reach his hand out, his fingers getting close and just starting to brush the metal of the weapon when…
"Vaios, you comin' or what? Don't go starin' off too much, the old man hates it when people mess with his things!" Vandham called out, Vaios pulling his hand back quickly, shaking his head.
"Sorry! Just uh… he's got some interesting pieces is all." Vaios hurried out into the hallway, and Vandham chuckling as the young man shuffled a bit. "But I'm all good."
A short time after the party had left, Cole was on his own. Whatever he'd been looking for, it was now on his desk. A dagger of an odd sort of make, that also showed it's age in it's weathered body and blade, yet notably on it was a blue gem with a faint glow. The man was silently staring at the item with a somber look in his eyes, running a hand along it. And he gave a sigh as a couple of presences came to his attention: Malos and Akhos.
"Well, I'll be. It's just one blast from the past after another today." Cole turned and faced Malos in particular, who gave his usual wry smirk.
"You probably guessed, but we're not here for a reunion." Malos said, Cole scoffing.
"Just as well. The Aegis is gone already. How disappointing for you, 'comrade'."
"Hmph, still an asshole." Malos sardonically chuckled, Cole just giving him a narrowed glance.
"Despite the years taking their toll…" Akhos remarked, Cole barely even glancing at him. "I'll wager all the doctors in this town are quacks, and all the Blades are blunt. Obrona and I… we could fix that stagnant ether flow with a minimum of bother. What do you say? You could still have a lot of good years ahead of you! I mean I won't deny there'd be a certain quid pro quo involved. But old man, just think of the benefits! Come, can't you lend your expertise here? Do so, and you could live for a long, long time."
"Well, I mean look at you glasses, that armor of yours looks pretty roughed up. I wonder who did that to you… the Aegis Driver perhaps? He's not just some weakling. My guess is you didn't take any warnings you might have had at face value, and you paid for it by getting your ass handed to you." Cole's response got a visible rise out of Akhos, who stopped when Malos put his arm out in front of him. "And besides, I'm not as attached to my life as I used to be. Maybe I've had enough!"
"Your little lost souls will be simply inconsolable." Akhos said, Cole just huffing as he turned his back to him and Malos.
"The kids? No, they're strong."
"Tch… this is becoming a farce! A horrendously clichéd one at that!" Akhos said, a grumble to his tone and frustration obvious. Malos though, just turned around and left. "Break a leg!"
Cole didn't say a word as the two left, his eyes going back down to the dagger on the desk, the man grasping its handle in his hand slowly. He knew what could possibly be coming for Vaios and his party now that those two were here… but he also knew that in some ways, it wasn't his place to interfere, not anymore.
And outside of the theater, while Malos didn't seemed shaken at all by this fail of a lead, Akhos was clearly frustrated with the result. But at the least, they did know their target was in the city. Perhaps all they had to do then, was find some way to drag her out into the open. And the idea struck Akhos as they left, the man smirking as he stopped, Malos also noticing it as well.
"What's that?" Malos said, he and Akhos looking off to one of the nearby signs.
"Hey, don't be shy. You heard everything we said, didn't you?" Akhos spoke calmly, and to his clear, sadistic delight, Iona came out from hiding behind the sign, the small girl approaching the two men.
"Can you… can you really help Grandpa?" A question so innocent and potentially malleable Akhos couldn't help but not. It wasn't like he'd been lying about it. With Obrona's power he really could alter ether flow through certain areas as he wished it. But what was the truth in face of the potential to use it to make someone do what you wanted?
"Well of course!" Akhos approached Iona, kneeling just a bit. "We can help. That is, so long as you're willing to help us. Can you do that for your grandpa?"
An ominous air was rising over Fonsa Myma that night. Perhaps it wouldn't affect the people of the city itself… but what it heralded was something else. It heralded a change. A change that would no doubt be in many ways possibly unwelcome to those who it could affect.