As everyone is running Vandam informs the two drivers that Pyra is at Orlethro Ruins. While running there Tora asks:
"Was Rex-Rex and Nia on date?"
Both drivers blush and say in unison:
"N-NO!"
"Then why Rex-Rex and Nia eat dinner alone? Why can't Tora join?" Tora pouts.
"Tora lad don't bother the two lovebirds, they want their alone time. I use to be that way in my youth."
"Thanks Vandam... wait a minute."
Before Rex could protest they arrive at Orlethro Ruins and see Pyra losing to Akhos and Malos.
"Pyra! We're here to save you!"
"Rex! I didn't think you all would appear. That's why I didn't say anything about leaving."
"But why?"
"I'll explain later, for now we have to beat these two or we'll die."
"Alright, I'm goin all in."
"Ah, it's you. You little shit I'll kill you this time like how I should've done the first time!"
Malos then charges straight at Rex to fight him but Tora blocks the attack and sends Malos back a few meters.
As the fight pursues it's apparent the gap in power between Rex and Malos. Akhos also being there hurts their odds of surviving even slimmer. As Malos is about to kill Rex, Vandam does the unthinkable.
"Rex! I'm gonna teach you one final lesson! When you need to defend the one's you care about you have to do anything to save them!"
Vandam then stabs his scythes into himself and is overflown with ether. Vandam creates masive shockwaves of ether that push Malos and Akhos back.
"Rex! You need to run! Please, this is my final wish is for you to keep on living and to make this world a better place! Do it for her and do it for me! You need to make it to Elysium! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!"
Vandam releases one final massive shockwave of ether that fatally wounds Akhos but leaves Malos almost unscathed.
Although Akhos is fatally wounded his blade heals him back to almost full health.
As Vandam takes his final breath Rex can only feel one emotion: Pain. Pain for losing a friend that had taught him so much and yet he's just gone like that. Rex's pain turns into anger. Pure unadulterated anger.
"VAAANDAAAAAAM!!"
Rex begins to cry as he lashes at Malos.
"MALOS YOU BASTARD I'M GONNA KILL YOU!! AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!"
"You're to weak, YOU FOOL!"
Malos Punches Rex in the gut in midair and Rex topples over writhing in pain as Malos proceeds to stomp on Rex multiple times.
"JUST DIE ALREADY!"
"NOOOOOOOOO!!"
Suddenly a great light encompasses Pyra as she begins to transform into something even stronger than before.
After the light disappears Pyra has become blonde.
"P-Pyra what ha-"
"My name is not Pyra. It is Mythra."
"M-Mythra?"
"Get over here and finish these two off."
"A-alright."
With that Rex thrashes Malos and Akhos quite easily and Mythra destroys their blades with her holy light forcing Malos and Akhos to retreat.
After Rex comes back to his senses he only feels a pain in his heart as he remembers what happened to Vandam. He begins to break down again and crys his name. After a solid five minutes Rex gets up and states:
"We have to give him a proper burial."
"Alright."
Vandam was buried right where he died and everyone went to the inn for some sleep. Rex couldn't sleep that night due to the events that had unfolded only hours ago. So Rex decides to go out for a little walk to the lobby of the inn to look around and finds an unexpected person out in the lobby as well. It was Nia. She was sitting on the couch in the lobby. Rex wondered why she was out here so he just asked.
"Hey, I see you needed some air to huh."
"Oh hey Rex. Yeah I did. Can't sleep either I see?"
"Of course I can't. We lost a good man today."
'"We sure did. How are you taking it?"
"Not good. I can't even sleep."
Nia thinks for a moment then decides to do something she knows she'll regret later.
"Come here you."
"What?"
"I said come here."
"Ok."
Rex then sits down next to Nia.
"Close your eyes."
"Why?"
"Just do it you idiot."
"Ok ok."
Rex then feels Nia pull him in and he feels like he's laying on something. Rex opens his eyes and sees that he is currently laying on Nia's chest. Rex blushes for a moment and sputers out:
"Wh-What are you doing?!"
"Shut up and go to sleep."
"What?"
"I'm not going to repeat myself. Just do it."
Although a bit awkward at first Rex quickly settles in and feels a yawn coming on.
"Looks like it's working huh?"
"Yeah it is. Nia, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for doing this for me, I really needed this."
"Just think of it as payback for dinner alright?"
"Ok. *Yawn* Good night Nia."
"Good night Rex."
The next morning everyone goes back to the theater where Cole explains that he is a flesh eater and that his Driver is Amalthus who is the current head of Indol and how he knows how to make it to the world tree. For some reason Rex noticed that Nia looked very shocked at finding out Cole was a flesh eater, he wondered why. Rex then makes a plan on how to get there but before everyone heads out they all visit Vandam's grave one last time.
"I'm so sorry I couldn't save you Vandam. If only I was stronger."
"Hey now don't be like that." Pyra trys to cheer Rex up.
"Pyra, why did you come here alone? And who or what was that transformation you took yesterday?"
Pyra then goes into detail about why she went alone and into more detail about Mythra and how she was created as a barrier so that Mythra wouldn't destroy Alrest.
After that right as Rex and co are about to head out Yew and Zuo two of the guys working for Vandam approach Rex and tell him that Vandam left Rex something in his will. So before everyone heads out they all go back to Garfont to claim his inheritance. Turns out Vandam left Rex the entire Mercenaries guild. Rex agrees to take up the guild but tells Yew and Zuo to run it while he's out completing his quest for Elysium.
As everyone heads to the ports Rex explains that the root they will be taking goes from Uraya to Argentum Trade Guild to Mor Ardain to the Leftharian Archipelago to finally Indol. This was the only root to Indol so as everyone boards and ship to Argentum Rex explains that he will try to use his salvager status to get them all a free ride to Mor Ardain.
As everyone enters the ship to Argentum they all look to where they are headed next.
to be continued...