Everyone quickly turns there heads to see a man with glasses with a white blade by his side.
"Nia I am quite disappointed that you chose to betray Torna like this especially since we've provided so much for you."
"No Akhos, you have it all wrong. It's not like that."
"Wait. Did he just say TORNA?!"
"Vandam you know these guys?"
"Torna has been known to hunt drivers down and have killed a few of my men. They were good people."
"My orders were to secure the Aegis and do what ever I please with you. So you know what that means?"
"No, y-you wouldn't."
"Alright I've had enough of you! Let's get it on!"
"Very well, this shall be your final act!"
With that everyone fights Akhos as hard as they can but Rex, Tora, and Nia are all defeated by Akhos and Vandam has to go all out to take down Akhos. Vandam eventually forces Akhos to retreat but not before he inflicts some damage on Pyra. After the fight Pyra is forced to rest for a little bit before everyone can depart to the Capital to look for help on how to get to the world tree. As Rex waits for Pyra to recover Vandam gives Rex a lecture on how there is no such thing as a just fight and how everyone is fighting there own personal war.
After some time passes Pyra awakens and Nia approaches Rex with a favor.
"Hey Rex I need your help with something."
"Yeah what's up?"
"I'll need you for emotional support."
"Oh? For what?"
"I feel obligated to explain the Torna situation to Vandam and how I'm no longer apart of there organization."
"So why do you need me?"
"Because Vandam scares me a little."
"Say no more."
With that Rex and Nia set out to speak with Vandam.
"Hey Vandam do you have a moment?"
"Sure, What's up?"
"About earlier with Torna, I just want to let you know that-"
"Say no more, I understand."
"Wh-what?"
"It's in the past you don't have to explain yourself. All that matter's is the present and now and from what I can gather you have changed into a different person."
Nia thinks for a moment before saying the next thing.
"Well that's all thanks to... Rex."
"Awww thanks Nia. But you changed on your own, no need to thank me."
"Yeah, yeah whatever."
Nia trys to play it off but fails.
"Aahh young love, it's been a while since this old man's seen any."
Both Rex and Nia go red at this statement.
"Sh-shut up!"
"I-it's not like that."
"Say what you will lad but that's simply what that is."
After that little exchange Vandam calls everyone up to him so that they can depart for Fonsa Myma also known as the Capital of Uraya. Vandam informs everyone else that he knows a guy named Cole who knows how to get to the World Tree. As the group is traveling through Uraya to get to Fonsa Myma they stumble into a mysterious cloaked man with what they can assume is his cloaked blade next to him.
"Halt right there you! You shall not proceed any further!"
"Who are you?"
The Mysterious cloaked figures reveal themselves to everyone.
"I am Zeke von Genbu the Bringer of Chaos! You can also call me Zeke or the Zekenator! and this is my blade Pandoria!"
"Vandam do you know this guy?"
"I've never seen him in my life."
"Hey you pay attention! I want the Aegis, it's power should belong to me The Zekenator!"
"We don't have time for this."
As eveyone is walking away Zeke stops them and engages in a fight. As much as Rex hates to admit it this guy was pretty good. As Zeke is about to lose he uses a last ditch effort move to try and defeat everyone but ends up collapsing the entire area around him instead causing him and Pandoria to fall right off.
"Well that just happened."
"Let's keep on movin."
As everyone arrives at Fonsa Myma Rex notices all the warships around and wonders why Fonsa Myma would need so many. Vandam then explains that the reason there are so many warships is because of Uraya's conflict with Mor Ardain. As everyone goes inside the town they see food rations being handed out and a solider swiping rations from a child. This upsets Pyra who then protects the child and everyone engages in combat. After the brief skirmish the solider notices Pyra's core crystal and runs away terrified.
"Guess I should've worn the disguise."
"We better get a move on. If that grunt was aware of your existence then we better hurry since people will probably be after you."
Everyone agrees and continues through the city until they reach a theater.
"This is where Cole lives. As you can see he runs this theater. Right now it seems he's running 'The Legend of Addam.' Wanna take a look?"
"Sure."
With that everyone goes in and watches the play.
After the Play ended Nia decided to approach Rex about something.
"Hey Rex. Don't you think that was a bit awkward for Pyra?"
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, because the play was about her."
"I guess?"
"All I'm sayin is you should talk to her."
"Alright, if you say so."
What pursues is an awkward conversation between Rex and Pyra which is cut short by Vandam who informs them that Cole is free to talk to now.
"Hey old man how've ya been."
"I've been better. What is it you came here to ask me?"
"These kids want to know how to get to Elysium and I told them that you knew a way to get there."
"Why on earth would you want to go there?"
"Because I made a promise to Pyra."
"Wait you don't mean..."
Cole then notices Pyra.
"It can't be... its really you. Alright I'm assuming since your here that you already tried climbing the tree yourselves but were stopped."
"Yep."
"Alright I'll tell you, but first let me talk to the Aegis alone for a moment."
"Why would you need to do that?"
"It's fine Rex. You all leave and I'll talk with Cole alone for a moment ok?"
"Alright if you say so."
While waiting for Pyra, Rex gets an idea.
'We may not be able to travel tonight since it's starting to get late. And if we're staying in this city for the night then maybe I could ask Nia out to get a bite to eat.'
Rex couldn't figure out why he wanted to hang out with Nia specifically but he felt the urge to for some unknown reason to himself. So Rex does just that.
"Hey Nia could I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
"So I was thinkin-"
"Oh boy."
"Hey now no need for that. Anyways I was thinkin, we might have to spend the night here in Fonsa Myma and I was wondering if maybe you'd like to go get a bite to eat somewhere, just the two of us y'know? I'll pay."
Nia goes a bit red from hearing this and she doesn't even move a muscle for what feels like an eternity until she finally snaps back and says in a hushed voice: "Ok, but only if your payin."
"Deal."
"Rex my boy, I am proud of you."
Vandam then proceeds to pat Rex on the back making Rex blush.
"I-it's not like that I swear!"
Suddenly the door opens and Pyra beckons with: "Alright you can all come in now."
As everyone reenters Cole begins to speak but his coughing gets so bad that Vandam decides to cut it early for the night and everyone decides to return in the morning to get the rest of the information. Vandam decides to show the group to a local hotel but before he can show them to it Rex interrupts Vandam.
"Actually I'll join you all in a little bit I think I'm gonna go get a bite to eat. Just tell me how to get there alright?"
Vandam then gives Rex instructions and Rex leaves. A few minutes later Nia leaves for the same reason and catches up with Rex.
"There you are. I was starting to think you had forgotten about our little get together."
"I couldn't just leave at the same time. Then everyone else would follow us."
"Fair point. So where do you want to eat? I'll let you decide."
"Hmmmm... How about over there?"
Nia points to a little cafe to the side.
"Sure, Let's go."
Once the two of them arrive at the little cafe the waiter asks them what they would like to drink.
Nia starts with "I'll have just water for now."
"I'll also have water."
As the waiter leaves the two of them look over the menu for what they want to eat. They decide to share a seafood dish. As the waiter comes back and Rex orders the waiter says: "So will you and your girlfriend be sharing?"
They both blush and Rex responds with: "Sh-she's n-not my g-girlfriend."
"Whatever you say sir."
After that exchange they both stay quiet for a solid minute or two before Nia breaks the silence.
"So why did you want to have dinner with me specifically instead of with the entire group ay?"
"It would be a bit stuffy if everyone was here, plus I get to spend a little more time with you Nia."
"But why would you want to spend more time with me?"
"Because your important to me and I felt like doing something nice for you."
"That does sound like something you would do. But also I'm important to you?"
"Yep."
"Why?"
"Because you keep me leveled. Your a perfect counter to me which is why your important to me. You fill out my right brains with your left brain."
"I guess that makes sense."
"And also because you look super cute when you get flustered."
Nia blushes.
"What are you goin on about?! Cut the crap Rex."
"Toldja I was right. You look super cute."
Suddenly the waiter comes back and announces: "Your meal is served."
"Thanks."
"Th-thank you."
With that the two of them eat their meal in peace.
Suddenly Tora, Poppi, Dromarch, Vandam, and Roc all appear running at full force. They stop and Vandam quickly sputters out: "They've got Pyra lad, she's in trouble. She went to fight alone and now we have to go after her."
"Wait, what?! Aw geez and I was enjoying this meal. Nia we have to go rescue Pyra she might be in serious trouble."
"Alright, let's go."
Before they leave Rex leaves the money for the food at the table and they all set off to find Pyra.
to be continued...