A/N: I apologize for the long delay for an update, but I admit I had some concrens with this chapter especially the expedition that would need to be covered. Thanks once again to Greatkingrat88 for his work on the chapter.
Well we got some reviews I couldn't reply to so here we go.
GNTR96: Thank you and I apologize for that, but while I could list some of the reasons and issues that have kept me from finishing those stories coming from loss of confidence in those stories or an issue I had overlooked ruining the story.
But I am hoping by working with Greatkingrat88 I can improve my writing enough where I might feel confident in finishing such stories like Lelouch of the Zombie Apocalypse, Threads of Revolution and others.
Now that is out of the way time to move on with the chapter.
Chapter 2
The People of Aura
"There it is," Salamandinay said, pointing to the city below them.
Lelouch directed the Discordia towards their destination, a city nestled in a valley surrounded by tall cliffs and waterfalls. The city itself was surrounded by large rivers but compared to the ruined city, the architecture of the buildings was influenced by ancient Japanese culture, but the structures were smaller. They lacked the modern feel of the cities Lelouch had seen.
"Is this the only settlement?"
"No," Salamandinay replied, shaking her head, "There are other towns and settlements like this, but I suppose you could call this our capital."
On Salamandinay's instruction, Lelouch landed the Discordia on an enormous rocky plateau, flattened out to host a vast platform with a Japanese-style estate located on one corner. The platform overlooked the city, providing a scenic view with a mile tall stairwell leading into the city. However, another connecting stairwell led to a tall pagoda-style tower atop a waterfall.
"Welcome to the home of the People of Aura, Lelouch of the Second Earth," Salamandinay said, as she helped Lelouch out of the Discordia's cockpit. Jeremiah followed suit as he climbed out of the machine.
"Lady Salamandinay!"
Lelouch turned and saw a pair of young women around Salamandinay's age running towards them.
The shortest of the two had an attire of light green, similar to Salamandinay's apparel. Instead of the dress, she wore a skirt. She had shoulder-length reddish-brown hair with yellow eyes with a red gem upon her forehead. Her partner, the taller of the pair, wore identical clothing, minus the skirt, but in dark blue and black instead. She had long purple hair with a pink streak, tied into a ponytail, and yellow eyes.
"At ease," Salamandinay commanded before introducing them to Lelouch. "Lelouch, these are my friends and personal guards, Kaname and Naga."
"Nice to meet you," Kaname greeted with a friendly wave.
"Naga and Kaname, this is Lelouch and his guardian, Jeremiah."
Naga was quiet, giving Lelouch a scrutinizing stare.
"Princess, you shouldn't have run off your own like this," Naga began. "Again. What if this man was hostile?"
"Is he from the World of Mana?" Kaname asked, looking at Lelouch's machine.
Salamandinay shook her head, "No, he is not. However, the Discordia is from the World of Mana, including its original pilot. But Lelouch comes from another Earth, very different from both ours and the World of Mana."
"Different, how?" Naga inquired.
"It will take some time to explain, but I assume the High Priestess will wish to meet him?'
Kaname nodded. "Yes. She is waiting inside."
The group led Lelouch and Jeremiah up a flight of stairs to the tower overlooking the valley. Following that long walk, Lelouch and Jeremiah joined Salamandinay and her friends inside a room where eight figures sat behind hanging curtains of the ceiling, concealing their identities. One of them was hidden behind a pair of sliding doors; Lelouch could only see the silhouette of the person behind it. Lelouch noticed there was an empty seat for one more, but he paid it no mind.
"High Priestess, these are the people I happened upon," Salamandinay began respectfully. "The machine they came to our world upon may have originated from the False Earth, but these two came from a completely different Earth unknown to us."
"I see. And what are their names?"
"I am Jeremiah Gottwald, and this is Lelouch vi Britannia," Jeremiah said.
"Where do you come from?"
"We come from Earth," Lelouch said. "I suppose I should say an Earth very different from this one. How we came here, I don't fully understand it, but I think the Discordia we were using is the cause."
"Who was the original owner of the Discordia?" asked the high priestess.
"My mother," Lelouch answered. "I was told I was the only one who could activate it. Anything else, like where my mother came from and why she came to our Earth, died with her."
"The only thing we know for certain is Lady Marianne was likely stranded on Earth. We don't know any other details except the Discordia was severely damaged, which could've been a result of a crash landing," Jeremiah added.
"How were you able to restore it?" one of the women behind the curtain asked.
"Somehow, my mother's ring and the song she taught me triggered some kind of self-repair function," Lelouch answered. "Afterwards, we were attacked by men seeking to steal it, but during a bombardment, I somehow triggered a teleport from our world to this one."
"You must be special to have activated one of the Ragna-Mail and its particular abilities," the High Priestess mused. "However, why was your guardian with you in the cockpit?"
"I didn't have the proper training to pilot it. My mother's allies wanted to relocate the wreck because, despite the damage, it was still functional. However, they needed me to activate it since it could only be used by my mother."
"So only you can activate it," the High Priestess said. Another of the unseen council spoke up.
"What do we do with them?"
"They aren't from the False Earth, so they are not enemies," another said.
"Yet the machine they have is, but the only the boy can truly use it."
"Quiet," The High Priestess commanded. Immediately, the council fell silent. "Princess Salamandinay."
"Yes, high priestess?" Salamandinay replied. Lelouch and Jeremiah were surprised; they had not expected her to be a princess.
"I trust we can leave them in your care? I think the Discordia might prove useful towards your project," The High Priestess suggested.
Project?
"I shall take them into my care, High Priestess," Salamandinay said, bowing her head. "I shall also educate them on our world and the world of mana, since I am sure they must have a lot of questions now."
That's an understatement… thought Lelouch.
"You're a Princess?" Jeremiah said.
"Yes, I suppose I should introduce myself properly. I am Princess Salamandinay of the Freyja Family and likewise Lieutenant-General in the royal army."
Jeremiah was surprised. For someone so young to possess such a rank, it was a sign she had be a formidable commander.
"I never would've guessed," Lelouch said, almost at a loss for words.
Salamandinay seemed amused by their reactions.
"My apologies. It's not exactly a title I feel like I need to flaunt. Anyway, the two of you are under my care, but I am sure you still have many questions. I'll try to answer what I can, but I suggest you two should accompany me. There is a place I should show you two."
"What kind of place?" asked Lelouch.
"You'll see. However, I should ask you two to brace yourselves. The one who will offer us a ride can appear intimidating," Salamandinay replied.
A short time later, Lelouch and Jeremiah were led back to the platform where the Discordia landed. Waiting for them was an enormous dragon, easily three times the size of the Discordia, large enough that it could have grasped the machine with its claw-like hands. It was a hundred meters long with purple skin and glowing red lines along its body along with glowing red eyes. It had curved black horns and a black fur mane.
"What is that?"
"I told you to brace yourselves, but worry not. He is one of our citizens," Salamandinay said.
"Is he a… Dragon of some kind?" Lelouch inquired. Jeremiah was speechless.
"Not exactly, but it's understandable you would ask. That 'Dragon' is, in fact, a human. Like all of us, we have evolved differently, because of the conditions of Earth after the world ended and the steps we had to take," Salamandinay answered.
"What do you mean?" Jeremiah asked.
"We should continue this discussion at the Tower of Aura." Said Salamandinay.
"Tower of Aura?" asked Lelouch.
"Yes. It is actually the last of the Dracunium Reactors that is still partially operational. It would be easier to hold this conversation there, since I have much to show you. So, hop on," Salamandinay said, extending her wings to carry Lelouch onto the head of the dragon.
Jeremiah followed with Kaname and Naga. The enormous Dragon took to the air. Lelouch was a little nervous, but adjusted as the dragon took to the air flying over the city. Within minutes, they approached a tall tower attached to smaller buildings around the base. It was easily the tallest structure throughout the valley, surpassing the size of the tower which the High Priestess and her court reside.
"Here is the Tower of Aura," Salamandinay said as they arrived.
"This place was once a Dracunium Reactor, right? So this place used that new element discovered centuries ago that led to the war?" Lelouch said.
"Yes. As I am sure you've heard, Dracunium is a supersymmetric particle discovered at the end of the 22nd century. It contains a copious amount of energy. Tragically, instead of being used to better the world since it could provide limitless power, it was weaponized and used for war," Salamandinay explained as everyone disembarked the dragon, having landed at the top of the tower.
Even though the tower seemed primarily intact from a distance, it was clear it had been damaged, likely due to the war and the wear of time upon it. As they entered a descending staircase, the tower's interior confirmed this. Lelouch saw cracks upon the walls, with wires hanging from the ceiling.
"No one remembers what exactly caused the war. We know pollution, poverty, hunger, and social discrimination were factors," Salamandinay continued as the group began walking through a damaged hallway.
"I am sure there was more to it than that, given how destructive the war was," Lelouch noted.
"You are likely right, but regardless, in the end, no one truly won. The unleashing of the Ranga-Mails led to the end of the world as we knew it. However, as you have noticed, some humans survived. Still, some tried sought refuge in the many underground shelters around the world in a vain effort to survive, only to perish from a lack of supplies."
"Another group of survivors became your people, right?"
Salamandinay nodded, "Yes. Deciding to atone for our own part for allowing the destruction of our world, we sought to purify the Earth. Yet I am sure you realized we couldn't survive in our ruined world without adapting ourselves."
The group arrived at a circular platform with a control panel upon it. Salamandinay gestured for everyone to board the platform, before activating it. It began carrying them down, deeper into the enormous structure, but Lelouch couldn't be sure how far down.
Eventually, the group reached a vast, almost-sphere-like chamber within the tower. The elevator landed on a platform that encircled the chamber. Lelouch couldn't be sure, but something big had to have been inside this place once.
"The wings and tail were the only changes you had to undergo, yes?" Jeremiah asked, recalling how the women had wings and a tail. The men, on the other hand, seemed to have undergone more drastic changes. "Compared to you and the one who brought us here… are the men of your society dragons?"
Salamandinay chuckled, "Actually, we prefer the term the People of Aura, or the Children of Aura for some. But given how our forms are like dragons, that is a proper designation too, I suppose."
"Who is Aura? Was she the first to… change?" Lelouch inquired.
"Yes, she was," Salamandinay confirmed. "In fact, I am descended from her, and so is the High Priestess. Aura was a scientist who specialized in genetics, the first to successfully reshape herself."
"Reshape herself?" Jeremiah asked.
"That's right. Through genetic manipulation, we modified our ecosystem as well as our own bodies to survive in a world where it was incapable of supporting life," Salamandinay explained, using some unseen means to activate something akin to the video presentation they saw in the shelter. It was similar, yet felt more realistic.
Before them was an enormous dragon, bigger than the one that had carried them. The Dragon had a pale purple underbelly, the rest of its body white. It had glowing light blue eyes, and red and yellow trimming upon its wings and tail. Leaning its head forward, the dragon roared at them.
"Behold Aura, the greatest of all our ancestors and the first Dragon," Salamandinay said, gesturing to the image. "She was the first. Others followed suit soon after."
Aura vanished before being replaced with a scene of a forested area with demolished ruins. However, there were two things different: there were dozens of dragons around them, some in the air and some upon the ground. Second, was a purple substance was covering the trees and some of the ruins.
Are those dragons eating that purple stuff? Lelouch thought.
"Our adapted bodies allowed us to survive, but we didn't have an easy means to cleanse our planet of the pollution poisoning it. However, we didn't have a way of sustaining ourselves. Still, Aura devised a means to solve two problems at once," Salamandinay explained.
She pointed to two giant dragons; one was identical to the dragon that carried them eating the purple substance off the trees.
"They're consuming the pollution?" Jeremiah asked, to which Salamandinay replied with a nod.
"Yes. What you are seeing is pollution created by Dracunium, spread across the world when the reactors exploded. Upon consuming it, the Dracunium crystallizes within the bodies of the male members of our kind, who were better suited for the task than the females."
Salamandinay pointed to the numerous small pinkish-red dragons; each one was between fifteen to twenty meters long, assisting the larger dragons.
"So, except for Aura, the women cannot clean out the pollution as well as the men?" Jeremiah inquired.
"Their small bodies inhibit them from collecting pollution in larger quantities. They also do not retain crystallized Dracunium in their bodies like the men do," Salamandinay answered.
"Is the pollution accumulating in their bodies harmful to them?" Lelouch asked.
"On the contrary, it grants them unusual abilities, much like how Aura gained abilities that defied the laws of physics. The men gain unique abilities from the crystallized Dracunium as well. For instance, one such type of dragon has the power to manipulate gravity; another can conjure bolts of lightning and project energy shields."
"That sounds impressive," Lelouch commented.
"Yes, and I am sure as you have come to suspect we can shift between human and dragon forms," Salamandinay remarked. "However, the men rarely transform back into humans, becoming dedicated to the task of cleansing Earth."
"I see," Lelouch replied.
"If you don't mind me asking, what happened to Aura?" Jeremiah inquired. There was silence, and a look of sadness from Salamandinay.
"She was taken from us by an evil man, who calls himself Embryo."
"Embryo?"
"His original name has been lost to history," Salamandinay said, as the screen around them changed.
They now saw an entire town in flames. Hovering above the ruined town was an open portal. Imprisoned within a sphere of energy was Aura, and nearby was a familiar-looking Ragna-Mail.
That's the Mail I saw leading the other machines in that video, thought Lelouch.
The image zoomed in as the black machine turned around where Lelouch saw someone boldly standing on the shoulder of the Ranga-Mail. He was in his early thirties, with blue eyes and long blonde hair, wearing a green suit with a brown vest and red tie.
"What we do know is that Embryo created the Ragna-Mails and discovered Dracunium," Salamandinay explained. "Some believe he had a hand in our world's destruction."
"What was his goal if that was the case? Why abduct of Aura?" Lelouch asked.
"Remember when I said there were other survivors?" Lelouch nodded before Salamandinay proceeded to explain. "Embryo led those who abandoned our world to a new Earth in a parallel universe. However, Embryo had no desire for humanity to remain as they were. It is said Embryo lost faith in humanity because of the wars they waged. He decided to create a new humanity that would be better and more capable of co-existing in peace."
"That sounds like he created a new race of humans from scratch?" Jeremiah asked, but surprisingly Salamandinay confirmed it with a nod.
"Actually, that's exactly what happened," Salamandinay said before elaborating. "Using genetic engineering, Embryo sought to create a new race of humans. These new humans wouldn't just have their more negative aspects written out, but they were all capable of using a new system he created."
"A new system?" Lelouch inquired.
"Embryo's new humans are genetically capable of interfacing with an advanced information-sharing system capable of manifesting one's will into physical forms. For example, this system, called Mana, generates heat and light. It can be used to share information with one another, operate technology as well as power it. It can be used to heal others, project shields, as well as being useful in all levels of everyday life," Salamandinay explained.
"Let me guess: Aura was kidnapped to power this system?" Lelouch said.
"That's far as his people knows, the power of Aura is limitless. In truth, it's powered by Aura, but it is far from limitless. So, Aura's power has to be replenished."
"How do they do that?"
"We have been attempting to retrieve Aura ever since she was taken from us. However, we cannot open up portals to the False Earth, so the enemy opens the way for us."
"Why would they do that?" Lelouch said, suspecting the answer. "Wait. Aura's power came from Dragunium. Does it mean the Dragunium from the male dragons?"
Salamandinay nodded with a grim expression upon her face.
"Yes, it's as you have deduced. To provide Aura with the energy needed to maintain the system, she is given the crystallized Dragunium to replenish her power."
"So, they draw your kind to hunt you?"
"Exactly," Salamandinay confirmed. "We had long forgone weapons and machines of war, so we had little else to fight with."
"So, when the people of the otherworld open the way, they just charge in there?" Lelouch said, dismayed by the lack of foresight, walking into such an obvious trap.
"Regrettably, yes," Salamandinay admitted. "I suppose many feel it's worth the risk, so they try it anyway."
It sounds like their devotion to Aura is almost fanatical. But I don't quite get that feeling from them.
He was uncertain what pushed those dragons to cross into a world where they were hunted. Even more so when he realized it had been happening for hundreds of years. Why did they keep repeating the same thing?
"However, I have been working on something to change it," Salamandinay continued. "I have been creating my own Ragna-Mail. Well, designing one, to be more specific."
"You're hoping to examine the Discordia, aren't you?"
"It's not necessary, but having an opportunity to examine a Ragna-Mail from an enemy world is too good to pass up. In fact, I could make some improvements so we could have our own way to travel to the False Earth," Salamandinay admitted. "Of course, in exchange, I am more than happy to offer you sanctuary."
"I see. That's does sound reasonable. However, I am worried about my sister, who I left behind. I have no idea if I could repeat the process that sent me here."
"There is something else, is there?" Salamandinay said, seeming to notice something about his words.
Lelouch was silent, but Jeremiah knew what it was.
"He wants vengeance; he wishes to find his mother's killers," Jeremiah said before Lelouch turned to him in surprise. "Don't think I am blind, your highness. Considering all your sister and you have endured, I would've been shocked if you didn't want retribution."
"What happened to them?" Salamandinay inquired.
Jeremiah turned to Lelouch, who said nothing, so he took it as a silent gesture of consent.
"When they were young, Lelouch and his sister lost their mother, the original pilot of the Discordia. His mother died shielding his younger sister Nunnally from harm. Although she lived, she lost her ability to walk. Furthermore, the trauma of her mother dying holding her robbed her of her eyesight," Jeremiah explained. "Instead of hunting down those responsible, the Emperor did nothing, so Lelouch confronted his father about it. The Emperor exiled him and his sister to a foreign land, months before the Empire declared war upon it."
"So, they were abandoned. How terrible," Kaname said sadly.
"As you can understand, he desires retribution for what was done to him," Jeremiah said.
Lelouch was stunned. "You noticed?"
"Of course. Considering everything that happened to you and your sister, I would've been shocked if you hadn't wanted retribution for it. But know that my loyalty is to Lady Marianne first and foremost. As her son, you have my complete dedication."
"Even if I might decide to declare war on Britannia one day?" Lelouch asked.
"Yes," Jeremiah answered without hesitation.
"I understand your desire for retribution," Salamandinay said, an expression of concern and sympathy on her face.
"If you're worried I would use Discordia in some kind of vengeful rampage, then let me assure you I would use it only against active threats to me. I am not one who delights in massacring people or watching their suffering. That would make me no better than them. Nevertheless, I do wish to see Britannia destroyed, not just for the sake of vengeance for my mother and sister, but because the world Britannia wants is one where the strong tramples over the weak, one where my sister would never find happiness. She wants a world where kindness is extended to everyone, even strangers."
"I see. So this Britannia, does it discriminate against those not Britannian?" The Warrior Princess inquired.
"Yes. It's a national policy," Lelouch said.
"The World of Mana is actually very similar to this Britannia you seek to fight," Salamandinay commented.
"How so?" Lelouch inquired.
"Remember what I told you about the system Embryo built involving the use of mana?"
Lelouch nodded.
"Despite Embryo's efforts to create the Perfect Utopia, there was a flaw that arose. Among those who could use the Mana System, women born with the inability to use it began to appear. No matter how much Embryo tried, he couldn't get rid of this genetic defect appearing within his utopia. Complicating the matter was that these women were not only unable to use Mana, but also capable of negating it. Destroying anything mana based with a touch," Salamandinay explained.
"I take it Embryo decided to push the People of Mana to discriminate against them?"
"Your deduction is correct, Lelouch. The Norma, as they are called, were treated as anti-social monsters for the sake of preserving the ideal world Embryo had built. However, their inability to use Mana gave Embryo another use for them. Thanks to the people of Mana drawing energy from Aura to power their world, we discovered we could put them into a trance, through which we could control them."
"I see. So they could fight against any of you to claim what they needed from your men to keep the World of Mana going. So the outcasts became expendable soldiers," Lelouch deduced, already knowing where this conversation was heading.
"You've guessed right again," Salamandinay said before elaborating further. "When a Norma is identified, most times as an infant or later in their lives if a parent tried to hide it, they are sent away to Arzenal."
"Some kind of prison colony, I assume?" Salamandinay nodded.
"Yes, but it's also a military base that provides the Norma with all they need to combat us. They use weapons based on Ranga-Mails called Para-Mails, a mass-production type model. To keep them in check, there are military forces stationed nearby with an observer on site. Furthermore, they are given a strictly controlled amount of fuel and ammunition, to ensure none of them could fly their Para-Mails away from Arzenal."
"I assume the airspace around Arzenal is closely monitored and restricted to civilians?" Lelouch asked. Salamandinay nodded again.
"That's right, and anyone who finds Arzenal without proper clearance is executed on the spot. Beyond that, the military patrolling the area don't assist the Norma fighting us. They only keep people from entering and leaving, and they recover the bodies of our men after they are killed."
"So far, what you are describing makes the World of Mana sound worse than Britannia," Lelouch commented.
"It's something that has to be seen to believed, especially if they find a Norma among them," Kaname noted.
"If you have more questions about the World of Mana, we have a Norma who lives among us who could answer any further questions better than I can. In fact, she is someone you should meet anyway," Salamandinay replied with a smile.
About an hour long flight later, Salamandinay led Lelouch and Jeremiah to a large hangar with what appeared to be an assembly plant next to it. After they disembarked from the dragon giving them a ride, Salamandinay gestured for them to follow her.
Along the way, they passed by a dozen women, some between their early twenties and late teens, who kept watching Jeremiah and Lelouch.
"We seem to be quite popular," Lelouch observed. "Does everyone know we're from another Earth?"
"Actually, your highness, I suspect the real reason is that we're men. I don't see any men in human form," Jeremiah said, feeling he was getting slightly more attention than Lelouch.
"You can't be serious," Lelouch said, feeling uncertain.
"Actually, Jeremiah is likely right," Salamandinay said.
"Yeah, we probably should've warned you guys," Kaname began nervously.
"Remember what Lady Salamandinay said about the men remaining in the form of dragons?" Naga said, reminding Lelouch of their earlier discussion.
"So, they stay as dragons all the time?" Lelouch asked.
"Yup," Kaname replied with a nod.
"Even when they conceive children," Naga mentioned before explaining. "So, you might find that some of the girls are interested in the both of you."
"I see," Lelouch said, wondering what she meant by that.
"Anyway," Salamandinay said, trying to change the subject, "the person I want you to meet, we'll find inside."
Entering the hanger, Jeremiah and Lelouch saw a machine similar to a Ranga-Mail, but different in design. It was leaner with a streamlined body, but like the Discordia, it had wings with four thrusters within them. It also had a dragon tail-like decoration on the back of the machine's head.
"Is that a Ranga-Mail?" Lelouch asked.
"Not exactly; we call it a Ryuu-Shin-Ki. This model is called the Somosomo. It's a test model we built for performance evaluation and a testbed for new technologies," Salamandinay explained. "The data we collect from the usage of the Somosomo we'll be used to create a true Ryuu-Shin-Ki."
"You are aiming to create machines that can not only compete against Ranga-Mails, but surpass them," Lelouch said.
"We are," Salamandinay replied with a proud smile. "I designed this model so we could produce a more improved version as the final design."
Lelouch looked up at the gray machine.
"I am assuming whoever the pilot is, they must be pushing it to its limits," Lelouch said.
"Of course, I am," Salamandinay said.
"You are the pilot?" Lelouch asked. Salamandinay nodded. "Is there anything you can't do?"
"Well-" Salamandinay began, but a new voice interrupted them.
"I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow, Lady Salamandinay. I take it your trip to the old ruins concluded faster than expected?"
The young woman joining them was in her early twenties, with long purple hair styled into a pair of pigtails. She had brown eyes, but unlike the others around them, she lacked wings and a tail. A yellow jumpsuit with baggy pants made her stand out further. She also wore a belt with various pouches and holsters for different tools.
"There was an unexpected development," Salamandinay explained, turning to the new arrival. "Allow me to introduce Jeremiah and Lelouch, travelers from another Earth. They arrived aboard a Ragna-Mail."
"A Ragna-Mail?" the girl asked, surprised. "These two are not from the World of Mana?"
"No, but Lelouch's mother is," Salamandinay replied.
"I see," The girl said. "I am sorry, my name is Zhao Fei-Ling."
"So, you must be the person Salamandinay mentioned," Lelouch said.
"That's right. I came from the World of Mana," Fei-Ling replied. "I was the maintenance foreman for Arzenal, responsible for maintaining Para-Mails."
"Fei-Ling's assistance has been invaluable. Even though I managed to rediscover much of our world's old technology and design my own Ranga-Mail, I lack the level of experience Fei-Long has," Salamandinay said proudly.
"How did you two meet, if you don't mind me asking?" Jeremiah inquired, folding his arms over his chest.
"Well," Fei-Ling began. "It happened about eight years ago. I don't know how much Lady Salamandinay has told you, but do you know about Norma?"
"Yes, she told us a little bit. Because you can't use mana, you're shipped off to become disposable soldiers to keep their work going," Lelouch replied.
"She told you that much," Fei-Ling replied with a nod of approval. "I guess you already dislike it, then?"
"Lady Salamandinay hasn't painted a very good picture about the World of Mana," Lelouch said.
"Well, I am about to make it sound worse, but I'll take that as a sign you and I will get along fine. Anyway, as I am sure you have likely guessed, we Norma were not happy with our lot in life. With the cruelty and discrimination we've endured on top of being sent off to risk our lives for a world that rejects us, as soon as we are twelve years old, we naturally wanted to rebel."
They're sent into battle at twelve years old, Lelouch thought, feeling even more disgusted with the World of Mana.
"Given the conditions you had to endure, I am not shocked. But I imagine being monitored by the people of Mana made that difficult?" Jeremiah asked.
"Exactly," Fei-Ling said with a confirmation nod. "Although we managed to get around the single observer they sent to Arzenal, the real problem was dealing with the world's true ruler: Embryo, and his Ragna-Mail, the Hysterica. If we wanted a chance to overthrow the rulers of the Mana World, we had to take him down first."
"Who were these other rulers?" Lelouch asked.
"I guess Lady Salamandinay didn't mention them," Fei-Ling noted. "Well, Embryo holds all power and is the true leader of the World of Mana, but the day-to-day affairs are handled by the six leaders of the World of Mana's nations. The six nations are the Enderant Union, the Galia Empire, the Kingdom of Rosenblum, the Marmeria Republic, the Velda Dynasty, and finally the Empire of Misurugi."
"Six nations, but they are all in cooperation with one another?" Lelouch asked.
"Yes. I can't say why there are six nations, but we know Embryo holds final say on all matters regarding the World of Mana," Fei-Ling added while putting her hands on her hips. "The leaders of those nations ultimately answer to him."
"I see," Lelouch remarked.
"Anyway, back into the subject, another group that deserves mention is the Ancient Humans," Fei-Ling continued.
"Ancient Humans?" Jeremiah asked.
"They were the original humans who inhabited the world, before the People of Mana usurped them. They waged war against Embryo and the People of Mana for decades until only a handful were left. Just like us, the Ancient Humans are viewed as outcasts and violent monsters. But instead of being shipped off to fight for them, the Ancient Humans were hunted down and systematically wiped out."
"So the Norma and the Ancient Humans joined forces," Lelouch deduced.
"That's right," Fei-Ling nodded. "But there is more to it than that. You see, during their war with Embryo, the Ancient Humans managed to steal one of his greatest weapons. One of the seven Ragna-Mails he had from the Empire of Misurugi."
"I doubt that was easy," Lelouch remarked.
"No, although I was never told the details. I only know it cost them."
"But they couldn't use it, could they?" Lelouch asked, suspecting the Ragna-Mail the Ancient Humans stole likely would have a lock on it similar to the one the Discordia had.
"I take it that means your Ragna-Mail must have a lock too. Tell me, did your Ragna-Mail require a ring and a certain bloodline to activate it?"
"Yes, it did," Lelouch replied.
"Interesting," Fei-Ling remarked, placing one hand on her chin. "Anyway, as you deduced, the Ragna-Mail the Ancient Humans stole couldn't be used by anyone except for someone from a specific bloodline, with a royal ring. So, they hid the machine, and went searching for someone who could use it. Some time after that, the Ancient Humans discovered the island of Arzenal, secretly forging an alliance with the Norma. The Ragna-Mail was entrusted to them in the hopes that one day, a Norma sent to the island could pilot it."
"I assume someone did come?" Lelouch asked.
Fei-Ling nodded and Lelouch noticed her expression change from passive to one of restrained anger.
"Yes. One day, a ten-year-old girl arrived. Her name was Alektra Maria von Loewenherz, the Second Princess of the Galian Empire. Upon arriving on Arzenal, her birth name was confiscated. All Norma have their birth names confiscated upon arrival. She was renamed Jill."
So, Norma even loses their names, Lelouch thought.
"She managed to keep her Royal Ring, and she was of a bloodline that could use the Ragna-Mail hidden on Arzenal, the Villkiss. We finally had the means to fight back against the World of Mana, but," Fei-Ling said, her voice trailing off as the anger became harder to contain.
"She betrayed you all, didn't she?" Lelouch deduced.
"I guess my expression gave it away," Fei-Ling said, calming down.
"It did."
"We were indeed betrayed. She had every intention of helping us launch our counterattack against the world, but Embryo somehow discovered Jill had become the pilot of Villkiss and seduced her."
"Then everything fell apart?" Lelouch asked. Fei-Ling nodded.
"Yes, it did. Everyone who had followed her to bring about an end to Embryo's rule died instead. I nearly died as well, but the Dragons had infiltrators among the Norma. They lost some of their infiltrators in the botched rebellion attempt, but they managed to save my life. The Dragons struggled to keep me alive until they could bring me here for proper treatment. They had to wait until another singularity opened so they could crossover into their world," Fei-Ling explained.
"I see," Lelouch remarked. "So you began helping the Dragons with their own efforts after you recovered?"
"Yes. It was a lot to take in, learning the truth about all of this. However, what hit me worst was discovering the man I saw with Jill was the same bastard who controls the World of Mana." Said Fei-Ling.
"And that is what led to the failure of the rebellion, and what would've been your death?" Jeremiah said.
"Yes," Fei-Ling replied bitterly. "Then the Dragons found me. As I mentioned, they kept me alive until they could bring me here for proper medical treatment, but at the same time they used the incident to insert one of their own to infiltrate the Empire of Misurugi."
"A spy. Not a bad idea. If she could get close enough to those who run the Empire, that could give her some good opportunities and might even allow the Dragons a chance to retake Aura," Lelouch said.
"We have confirmed the Empire of Misurugi controls the opening and closing of singularities that allow my people to enter their world so they can be hunted," Salamandinay confirmed. "We also know the island of Arzenal is under the direct supervision of the Kingdom of Rosenblum."
"I see," Lelouch said.
"So, what will you be doing here?" Fei-Ling asked, looking to both Lelouch and Jeremiah.
"As a start, Lelouch has agreed to allow us to inspect the Discordia, the Ragna-Mail that brought him here," Salamandinay said before adding something with a smile. "But I was wondering if we could hold mock battles between the Discordia and the Somosomo?"
"You want combat data?" Lelouch asked.
"Yes, and I am proposing that you spar with me. That way, you can learn not only how to pilot the Discordia on your own, but to defend yourself. A Ragna-Mail will respond better to its true pilot without anyone else within the cockpit," Salamandinay explained before adding to placate Jeremiah. "Of course, we're willing to create another Ryuu-Shin-Ki for your usage, Lord Jeremiah, so you can defend your charge."
"Well, that's generous of you, but-" Jeremiah began, before Lelouch interrupted.
"That seems a little too generous. What are you up to?"
"I am willing to prove you can trust me, and I intend to ensure you will have no reason to distrust me," Salamandinay said, somewhat evasively.
Later that night after helping move the Discordia to Fei-Ling's workshop, Lelouch and Jeremiah settled in at their respective rooms at a mansion near the temple where the leaders of the Dragon Clan gathered. It was akin to the mansion owned by the Kururugi Family, similar to the old fashioned Japanese architecture of the 17th century. Lelouch was looking out a window at the night sky, deep in thought, when a knock at the door interrupted his reveries.
"It's me. Can I come in?" Kaname inquired.
Lelouch walked over and opened the sliding door to allow her inside.
"So, what brings you to my room," Lelouch said as he moved to sit on a tatami, Kaname sitting opposite of him.
"I wanted to ask you your thoughts on Lady Salamandinay," Kaname replied.
"You're concerned I might be disrespectful of her?"
"Not exactly. You seem distrustful towards her."
"Not quite. Because of my personal experiences I find it hard to trust the good intentions of others without knowing their reasons. For example, the Ashford Family who took me and my sister in only did so because we were useful as liability insurance."
"Liability insurance," Kaname said, with a look of disbelief.
"The Ashford Family was the strongest supporters of my mother," Lelouch answered before explaining. "They benefited greatly when my mother was alive, especially since they created the first successful third generation Knightmare Frame, the Ganymede. After her demise, the Ashford Family was stripped of their aristocratic titles and their estate, but before that runaway costs from excessive parties by the family head kept prototypes like the Ganymede and the Io from reaching the production lines. The Ashford Family's company went bankrupt, unable to recover their losses, and my mother's demise was the final nail in the coffin."
"But it sounds like the Ashford Family survived somehow," Kaname pointed out.
"It did. Ruben's excessive partying paid off somewhat, as he had many friends and allies. His contacts in Japan proved very useful to him in the wake of my mother's demise and my exile. It gave the Ashford Family a home in Japan and a chance to rebuild itself as philanthropic organization that supplied educational services."
"So they only helped you and your sister because they hoped to use you as insurance?"
"Yes. The politics of Japan, following the Britannian conquest, were unstable at the time. Thankfully, I didn't have too much value, so the Ashford's never exploited me or my sister. However, upon seeing the Discordia, I realized there was an ulterior motive for why the Ashford Family took me and Nunnally in."
"Because your mother was its previous pilot and it was locked to only those of her bloodline."
Lelouch nodded in confirmation.
"So, what do you plan to do now?"
Lelouch paused, weighing his options before answering. Aware of the Discordia's power, he knew he could cause devastation against Britannia, but he had no interest in being a butcher. Still, besides his desire for retribution against Britannia itself as an Empire, Lelouch was worried for the well-being of his sister.
"If possible, I would like to retrieve my sister," Lelouch answered. "With me and the Discordia gone, and considering that sudden bombardment from Britannia, I am worried about what might happen to her."
"The Ashford Family would have no reason to keep her," Kaname deduced.
"Yes, but the problem is I have no idea how to make the Discordia move between dimensions. Even if I did manage it, how would I know I returned to mine?"
"The first time you did it was purely by accident, since Ragna-Mails respond to the will of their pilots."
"I know, which only makes it harder to understand. Or at least confident enough to do it without ending up on the wrong Earth."
"That would be a serious problem," Kaname agreed.
"I know, which is why I'll need to learn how to properly operate the Discordia," Lelouch said before restraining his emotions as he said. "And I'll just have to hope Nunnally will be okay until I can come for her."
"If possible, I could help you retrieve her," Kaname offered.
"That's nice of you, but in exchange for what?"
"Are you being sarcastic, or is it you showing your trust issues again?" Kaname replied with sigh.
"I just can't help but be skeptical of other people's good intentions. People who want something usually want something in return."
"Then we'll just have to work on that. Lady Salamandinay asked me to assist you in learning how to pilot the Discordia."
"I see."
"There is much we'll need to cover before you can even begin having a mock battle against Lady Salamandinay. You have a long road ahead of you."
"I suspected as much. Are you fine training me to battle against your friend?"
"I am fine with it. Besides not to speak ill of you, I doubt anyone could beat Lady Salamandinay," Kaname said with a prideful smile.
"You speak highly of your friend," Lelouch said, deducing that Kaname's relationship with Salamandinay was more than that of a mere bodyguard.
"Of course. We grew up together as children, but I doubt that surprises you."
"I assumed as much."
"Well, you are the observant type," Kaname replied, seeming amused. "Maybe teaching you to fight in a Ragna-Mail won't be so difficult after all."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Lelouch said, sounding annoyed.
Kaname took a breath, pointing to one of Lelouch's arms. "Well for one thing, we are going to try and work on your physical strength a little. You need endurance for what's ahead, but looking at how thin your arms are, you are going to need some work there. I am not trying to make a bodybuilder out of you, but you might benefit from a bit more muscle as a pilot.
"I suppose," Lelouch said, uncertain of what else to say.
"That reminds me," Kaname said matter-of-factly. "If a Dr. Gecko asks to see you, make sure I am with you."
"Dr. Gecko?" Lelouch asked.
"She is our best scientist in the fields of medicine, genetics and biology. Unfortunately, as brilliant as she is, Dr. Gecko tends to let her fascination with the male anatomy get the better of her."
"You realize that is not very reassuring?" Lelouch said making a mental note to steer clear of Dr. Gecko. "Is this going to be a problem? I am the only male besides Jeremiah in human form."
Kaname could only sigh, "It might be, but while you'll probably get a lot of attention for being a human male. I doubt it will go beyond simple curiosity."
"I hope so," Lelouch said. He had never enjoyed having the attention of such a crowd. "They're not going to try and ask me to marry them or anything?"
"No, I wouldn't worry about that," Kaname replied. The declining population of male dragons was a growing issue. Fewer men were being born, with most families giving birth to females.
Maybe I'll just keep quiet. Besides, I am doubtful it will get to a point where the High Priestess might suggest a man should take on more than one wife, Kaname thought.
"Just stay close to me and Lady Salamandinay, and you'll be fine," Kaname advised.
"I'll keep that in mind going forward," Lelouch replied, knowing tomorrow his training to master the Discordia would begin.
A/N: Well now that Lelouch and Jeremiah have settled in on the World of Aura. Lelouch is determined to return home and retrieve his sister, but that is easier said than done.
Lelouch will need to learn how to pilot Discordia first to begin mastering it and maybe use it to return home. Until then it looks like he'll be on the World of Aura for awhile.
Also I decided to bring Zhao Fei-Ling into the story. While we know she died, we don't know how exactly and I figured that gave me some flexibility in how I could explain her survive her and have her join the side of the dragons.
While I am not trying to push for a harem, but I do acknowledge it could happen, I did recognize since no men are seen outside of their dragon forms I had to address the elephant in the room. After all if Lelouch meets Embryo it would be hard to imagine he would be interested which puts the harem prospect understandably into question, and besides any pairings for Lelouch will not happen until much later in the story when its appropriate and serves the story best.
But I won't deny Salamandinay might have an edge in earning the spot for main love interest for Lelouch with Kaname as a possible second.
Still relationships aren't a priority and will happen later in the story when the time is right.
Next chapter Lelouch will face Salamandinay in a mock battle taking place some months after their arrival, but what will draw him into the World of Mana?
Thank you for reading and I hope the next chapter will come out sooner than this one did. I also thank you in advance for any feedback, reviews, follows and favorites.