Amalthus was able to convince both Emperor Niall and Queen Raqura to have a meeting in Indol to discuss what had happened and explain why a titan had attacked Uraya. At the same time the funeral for Fan La Norne was being held for the people of Indol. Rex, Nia, Tora, Poppi, and Dromarch all attend the funeral. Zeke, Pandoria, Morag, Brighid, and Mythra all have to go to the summit. Rex had lost yet another person on his hands.
"It's all my fault."
"What was that?"
"I said it's all my fault."
Nia notices the sadness in his eyes and remembers back to what Corrine had said about Rex losing so many already that were close in his life. Nia tries to think of something to say.
"This is not your fault."
"No, it is."
"Why do you put so much blame on yourself?"
"Because I could've saved her and we wouldn't be attending her funeral right now."
"You put to much weight on your shoulders. You need to learn that death is simply another link in the cycle of life. We have to learn from this experience as to make sure something like this doesn't happen again."
"I have to put all this weight on. I'm the driver of the Aegis the most powerful blade to ever exist and I'm going to Elysium to save mankind. If I can't even save one life how am I supposed to save millions?"
That was a tough question that not even Nia could properly answer. Nia just watched as Rex looked at Fan's casket with a look of pure sadness, like his tears could fill an ocean. Nia tries to steer the conversation and get Rex's mind off of his sorrow.
"Did you notice?"
"Notice what?"
"Look at Fan's core crystal."
Rex takes a closer look and notices that Fan only has half of a core crystal.
"That's strange. She only has half of a core crystal."
"What do you think happened to the other half?"
"I'm not sure. Do you think Jin took it?"
"I doubt it. What use would Jin have with half a core crystal when he himself is already a flesh eater? If he wanted to resonate with her then he would've taken the entire core crystal."
"That's true now that I think about it."
After the funeral Rex's group reunited with Mythra's group and Zeke informs them that they will be going to Tantal.
"We shall be going to my homeland of Tantal. My people are the descendants of the mighty Addam."
"Really. I did not know that the people of Tantal were the descendants of Addam." Morag gestures her hand to a thinking pose.
"So that's where Addam settled down after he locked us up."
"The reason we're going to Tantal is because it was Tantal that revived Ophion to guard the world tree and the item we need to deactivate Ophion is back home. The item in question is called the Omega Fetter and can be used to rewrite Ophion's commands. "
"Why would you revive Ophion and why would you use him to guard the world tree of all places?"
"The reason we revived Ophion is because we didn't want something like another Aegis War to break out. Ironic that we need it to stop the Aegis War."
"Can we really call this a second Aegis War?"
"Sure why not? The world is in chaos so it might as well be a second Aegis War."
"Anyways the journey will be a long one so I think we should spend the night here before we head out alright?"
"Alright."
A few hours later the new head of Argentum, Niranira, speaks to Rex about some terrible news that he had received.
"Niranira need to speak to Rex. Urgent news must hear."
"What's wrong?"
"Niranira got terrible news that ex-chairman Bana plotting an assassination at the next summit."
"That's terrible news. What would you like us to do?"
"Niranira request that Rex and friends help find method Bana planning to use at summit and prevent the assassination. Can Rex do it?"
After looking to everyone for nods of approval Rex makes his decision.
"I'll do it, you can count on it."
After that Rex and co scower the city for any leads they might find about the assassination and have concluded that Bana is planning on using Tirkin to poison the food for the summit. After coming to this conclusion the group sprints towards the Ardainian ship that the summit is being held at and immediately goes straight towards the kitchen area where they find a bunch of Tirkin with chef hats.
"Stop right there! We know you're poisoning the food to assassinate the leaders of various countries!"
"Caw! What are you talking about? We just hired to cook food and we're running on a tight schedule right now so leave at once!"
"Acting dumb huh? Well then we'll have to stop you by force!"
Rex and co engage the Tirkin and easily beat them. Suddenly Niranira shows up and is shocked at what Rex has done.
"What Rex doing?!"
"What do you mean?"
"Niranira hire Tirkin to make food. Best in the world and Rex knockout my chefs?!"
"Oh um sorry, we thought Bana hired them to poison the food."
Rex scratches the back of his head clearly embarrassed.
"But if that is the case then what is Bana actually planning?"
Suddenly there is a loud boom in the ship that gets everyone's attention.
"What was that?!"
"Niranira not sure!"
"Rex we should go check it out the Emperor might be in trouble."
"Yeah you're right, let's go."
As the group looks around the ship they see an even bigger version of Rosa with a giant letter G in the middle of her head in the middle of the haul.
"Now it time for Emperor and Queen go night night!"
"Bana what are you doing?!"
"Ack Rex! Why are you here?! You should be long gone already!"
"Like I'd go down that easily!"
"Bana gonna kill Emperor Niall and Queen Raqura so Mor Ardain go to war with Uraya and Bana make mountain of cash! This be so much easier if Rex just die already."
"We can't let you do that Bana we'll stop you."
"Ex-chairman Bana for confessing an attempt to assassinate the leaders of various nations and to start a war I will have to take you in as the Special Inquisitor of Mor Ardain."
"Bagh hah hah! You really think you can beat me?! I just kill you all with the power of Giga Rosa!"
After that the entire group engages Giga Rosa and although they struggle they eventually beat Bana but not before Bana tries a sneaky last ditch effort attack.
" If Bana can't win then no one can! Initiate self destruct mode!"
"I won't let you do that."
"Emperor Niall what are you doing?!"
"Protecting my dear sister."
With that Niall erects a barrier with Aegaeon around everyone and Morag watches helplessly as she watches her brother die right in front of her. As Niall falls to the ground Morag catches him and everyone sees Aegaeon return to his core crystal confirming the grim reality of the situation.
"Emperor Niall wake up! Please brother don't leave me!"
Tears fall down Morags face as she holds her dead brother in her arms. Nia then has a plan.
"Dromarch I need you to get everyone out of here. I need you to get them as far away as possible. I'm gonna use... that form."
"M-my lady you can't be serious."
"I am. Just think of something to get them outta here and I'll revive him myself. Do you understand?"
"Are you sure abou-"
"I said DO YOU UNDERSTAND?" Nia sternly repeats herself to put her point across.
"I understand."
Dromarch then thinks for a moment and comes up with a distraction.
"Everyone come quick! There are other attackers on the ship!"
"Dromarch are you sure?"
"Positive, hurry we must stop them and interrogate them!"
"Your right let's go!"
Everyone leaves including Morag and Nia transforms.
"Come on Niall I know you'll make it."
A little while later the group returns and is surprised to see Niall alive.
"Emperor Niall you're alive!"
Morag runs up to Niall and hugs him tightly.
"I thought you were dead. How did you survive?"
"All it took was a little healing from yours truely." Nia confidently assures.
"Nia you healed the Emperor?"
"Sure did. Did you ever doubt me?"
"Honestly yeah."
"What?! Come on now you know I'm the best healer around."
"Sorry to have ever doubted you."
"You should be."
"Nia I thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving the Emp- No, for saving my brother from the brink of death. I am eternally greatful."
"Oh no need to act that way Morag, I'm just doing what a friend would do."
"A friend? I quite like the sound of that."
After that the group set sail straight for Tantal with the goal of obtaining the Omega Fetter.
to be continued...