After the events of the previous night Rex, Nia, Zeke, Pandoria, and Crow all decided to stay in the guest bedrooms of Hardhaigh Palace to get more information about what had happened the previous night to Morag. The first one up was Zeke who used the opportunity to call up the last member of their group and inform him of what happened. Zeke makes it to one of the communicators that are in the palace and messes with it for a few minutes as he forgot how to use the communicator.
"Heh. I haven't lived in society for nearly four years and I've already forgotten how to use these things."
After another minute of messing with the communicator Zeke gets it to work. When Zeke calls up the number there is nothing but a quite ring that echos throughout the hallway for almost a minute before their is finally a response.
"Yes? Who this?"
Zeke scratches the side of his head. "Hey Tora, it's me Zeke."
"Ah Zeke! It been so long since last heard from you! How've you been?"
Zeke scratches at his facial hair. "Ah. I've been fine, how about you?"
"Oh excellent! Friend Zeke miss out on many great things Tora has done since last seen. Did friend know that Tora is going to be Dadapon?"
This is a shock to Zeke as this is the first he's heard of it.
"Wait, really?! I didn't know. How far along is she? I believe her name was Hyo?"
"Yes, that wifeypons name. She in two months. Tora can't wait!" Tora sounds excited on the other side.
"That's great to hear." Zeke pauses for a moment. "There is actually a reason I called you Tora."
"Meh? What friend need from Tora?"
"So there was an attack on Hardhaigh Palace last night."
"Meh Meh Meh?! Who attack Morag's house?"
Zeke pinches the bridge of his nose. "It's kind of a long story. I'm calling you this early to ask if you could maybe come over to the Palace so we can all discuss what happened. You know since you're apart of the group and all."
There is a long pause on the other end of the line and for a moment Zeke thinks he disconnected until Tora finally responds.
"If Tora leave now, can get there in about an hour. Is that time alright?"
"Yes, that is fine. I think the rest should be awake by then."
"Tora be there in about an hour. Have to tell wifeypon about sudden leave and have to tell Dadapon to take any appointments Tora might've had today."
"Right chum, see you then."
With that Tora disconnects and leaves Zeke in the quietness once more.
Morag awoke from a dreamless sleep and was groggy from the battle from the previous night. She finds herself still in the same uniform she was in the previous day, yet she was also in her room. She thinks back to the events that had happened the previous night, but can't remember anything past Nia healing her. Then it suddenly struck her of something else that happened the previous night. She let Exodus get away.
'Dammit. Even after all these years of relentless training I still can't even properly defend my nation.'
Morag's gloved hand grips in anger at this notion. She thinks back to what Exodus said about his motivation.
'Blades being slaves? The weak rule over the strong? But he also said that the eradication of humanity was only the first step to his plan. What's after that?'
As Morag is wondering these things there is a slight open of the door and a curious head peeking in. Upon seeing Morag awake they open the door fully.
"Your highness, it is good to see you awake."
"It is good to see you as well, Brighid."
"How are you feeling?"
"A bit sore, but overall I am fine. Do you have any medical documentation on my injuries?"
Brighid pulls out a clipboard that is on the dresser next to Morag's bed and begins to read it over. "According to Nia's diagnosis you broke three ribs, sprang your left leg, and ruptured your right lung. You also were suffering from ether exhaustion due to using all of your ether during that fight. It says here that you could've survived for another twenty minutes before succumbing to your injuries."
"Interesting."
"Your majesty, you must be more careful next time." Brighid warns.
"I am aware." There is a pause. "I shall ask for their assistance."
"You mean Rex and Nia?"
"And of course Zeke and Tora." This time there is a pause for almost a minute before Morag asks Brighid a question.
"What do you think of what Exodus said yesterday?"
"What do I think?" Brighid puts her hand to her face and thinks for a moment. "I think I understand what he means. He thinks that blades are bound to their driver and must follow every single command they give. This isn't entirely wrong as their are a decent amount of drivers who do treat their blades as servants, or worst case scenario, as slaves."
Brighid lets that hang in the air for a moment to let that sink in before continuing.
"However, not all blades and drivers are like that. In most cases blades and drivers are partners. They work and benefit each other. There are even some cases like Rex and Nia who are in love despite being blade and driver."
"And what do you think of humans being weak?" Morag looks downcast as she feels weak after letting Exodus get away.
"Exodus only views humans as weak because of their physical capabilities. He doesn't see their will, and drive, and passion, and hope. He only sees them as no better than a parasite clinging to a stronger species. Humans may be physically weak, but they have more than enough heart to push past those inherit weaknesses. I believe that even if us blades didn't exist at all humans would still be the strongest due to their heart."
Morag looks down at her glove. "Our heart you say?" Morag closes her eyes, then reopens them and turns to Brighid. "Thank you Brighid. Thank you for your thoughts on the matter. They have been troubling me recently."
"Any time you majesty. That's what I'm here for."
A few hours later everyone else is up and eating breakfast in the grand hall of the Palace. Everyone is sitting close together and enjoying everyone's company.
Rex and Nia are sitting next to each other. Zeke and Pandoria are sitting next to each other on the opposite side with Crow sitting next to Pandoria. As they eat Nia feels a very familiar aura coming off of Crow but can't put her finger on why he seems so familiar. Tora sat right next to Rex and Poppi sat next to Tora. It was a warm atmosphere as it had been so long since all of them had been together like this, but also bleak considering the events of the night before. Suddenly the doors to the front of the Grand Hall open up to reveal Morag in a fresh uniform walk towards the table to sit at the head of it. She is flanked by Aegaeon on her left side and Brighid on her right. As she approaches all small talk from before quiets down and all attention is shifted too Morag. Morag takes her seat and gestures for Brighid and Aegaeon to be seated in the left and right chairs in front of her respectively. The two blades comply and sit down. There is a silence for a few moments before Morag finally speaks.
"We must stop this blade at once."
"So he was a blade ay?" Zeke leans back in his chair.
"That is correct. I saw his core crystal for myself."
"If you don't mind me asking, is it really true that the core crystal is in a cross formation?" Rex asks with some hesitation.
There is a tense silence in the air at the implications of the shape. After a moment Morag confirms.
"Yes it is. The core crystal was even larger than Mythra or Malos'."
"Even bigger than Malos' huh?"
Everyone shifts their attention to Crow who has been awfully silent ever since everyone arrived. Upon hearing his voice Nia recognizes instantly who it is.
"Wait a minute. I know you-"
"Welp. I guess I couldn't hide my identity for that long."
Crow takes off his cloak and reveals to everyone who he really is.
"No way..."
"It's you..."
Exodus has been laying down in his temple ever since his fight with Morag. He has been slowly recovering from his injuries that were dealt by her.
'If I was hit by another one of those attacks I would've died. I need to be more careful next time.' Exodus then laughs to himself. "Or I just need more of my rings back and then she will no longer be a threat." As Exodus slowly gets up, he pulls out a map he had taken back when he was in Indol and looks over all the other major hubs of civilization. He thinks to himself that Mor Ardain is out of the question at the moment due to Morag living there. He also rules out Temperantia as he would not be strong enough at the moment to traverse those lands. He also rules out Leftharia due to the stories he heard of a driver that lives there who is just as strong as Morag. That leaves Uraya, Tantal, Gormott, or the Cliffs of Morytha.
"Hmmm. I will go for the Cliffs of Morytha next. It would seem nobody lives there and it would be the next fastest Titan to take down." Exodus draws a circle around the Cliffs of Morytha titan with the dust from the temple.
Exodus sits back down and breathes in slowly. Even though his body is nearly entirely healed his ether reserves are nearly empty due to the fight from the previous day in combination with all the ether he has had to pour into regenerating himself.
"I shall rest for two days. Then, it will be time to collect my second ring." Exodus thinks back to his fight with Morag with amazament.
'Although it is simply incredible to see a human wield two blades at the same time.'
"Mikhail?!"
"That is right! I have returned." Mikhail spreads his arms out in a gesture.
Suddenly everyone gets into a defensive position and ready's their weapons.
"Hey! Hey! He's on our side." Zeke gets between everyone and Mikhail.
"What do you mean 'he's on our side'? He is a member of Torna!" Morag shouts angrily at Zeke.
Mikhail wiggles his finger at Morag. "Ah ah ah. Ex-member of Torna."
Nia interrupts the two with a look of irritation. "Hold on a minute. How are you even still alive? I thought you died in that explosion five years ago."
Mikhail looks over at Nia and grins. "Ha! You thought an attack like that could do me in? I AM a tank after all." Mikhail knocks on his head as he says that last part.
"So what, you've been wandering the woods for the past five years?"
"More or less."
Rex decides to also ask a question.
"So how did you meet Zeke then? You two seem friendly."
"Weeelllll it all happened about two years ago."
Mikhail is randomly walking through the forests of Elysium looking for any small villages nearby to quickly raid for food. He hasn't eaten in two days and he needs to get something to eat soon. As he is walking he hears foot steps nearby. Mikhail stops what he is doing and listens closely to see if it is a human.
'If it is a human, I'll steal any food supplies they have on them and then bail.'
As he sneaks closer he is able to hear talking between the two travelers.
"So far we have come across fifteen new floral and twelve new fauna during this expedition. I would say we are doing pretty well for this campaign, don'cha think Zeke?"
Zeke looks bored at the rundown. "Oh Pandy you know I'm not all that crazy about this research. I only like seeing all the new places."
'Zeke? Pandy?' Mikhail takes a minute to think about it and he remembers that these two were apart of that group that Rex was apart of. 'I should be able to take them on.'
Mikhail reaches for his fans and slowly brings them up into attack formation.
"I know you're there."
'Wh-what?! How could he know? I haven't even attacked him yet.'
"I can tell by the sudden influx in ether nearby that someone is about to attack me." Zeke turns around and pulls his sword out with a serious look on his face. "If you want to end this peacefully then show yourself."
Seeing as Mikhail has been found out he has no choice but to show himself.
"Well, it seems you have good senses then." Mikhail shrugs.
Zeke looks him up and down feeling like he's seen this guy before. After a moment of thinking Zeke comes to the sudden realization who this guy is. "Wait a minute. You're that guy from Torna!" Zeke point his sword at Mikhail.
"That would be right. The names Mikhail." Mikhail waves one of his fans at Zeke.
"What are you doing here? I thought you died three years ago."
Mikhail shrugs his shoulders. "As if an attack like that could take me down."
"What do you want? To find your old Torna members and try to destroy the world again?"
"Nah. I was never really into the whole 'let's destroy the world' thing that Malos wanted. My current goal is to get some food. By the way, do you have any on you?" Mikhail gestures to Zeke's satchel.
Pandoria decides to join in as well. "If you never had Torna's goal in mind then why did you still help them out anyways?"
"Well that's an easy answer. Because Jin asked me to."
Pandoria is flabbergasted at this response. "Really? That's the reason you joined Torna? Just because Jin asked you to?"
"Yep. Me and him go a looooong ways back."
"Even so, aren't you going to go do something to harm the people?"
"No, not really. The worst I've done since that battle is occasionally raid small villages for food, but I normally don't kill the villagers."
"So then what is your goal then?"
"I don't really have a goal outside of survive." Mikhail glumly responds.
Zeke takes a minute to think of all this and comes to a decision.
"Do you want to join us?"
Pandoria couldn't believe what she was hearing. "My prince, you can't just ask that of a member of Torna!"
"Well the way I see it he is the last member of Torna and even then it doesn't look like he has any hostile intent from what I can see."
Mikhail seemed confused by this turn of events. "But why would you invite me to your little duo? I don't see the correlation."
"Because you seem strong enough to defend yourself. Also it would be a nice change of pace to have someone other than Pandoria with me on this expedition."
"Okay... but what do I get out of this?"
"A stable food supply."
Mikhail thinks about it for a moment, but of course he already knows his answer.
"Count me in." Mikhail gestures a fistbump to Zeke.
"Cheers, my new chum." Zeke bumps back.
"So what exactly does this new job entail? If you don't mind me asking."
"Well, normally we would write down any data on the new regions of Elysium due to how dangerous they are and how only a strong driver can trek through these regions. But I'm not really into the 'categorization of the new flora and fauna' thing so I just leave that to Pandoria. I prefer to map out the region and any specific locations."
Mikhail is surprised by Zeke's job. "I never would've thought you would be a cartographer."
"I'm not exactly an expert on it, but good enough."
"I guess I can provide analysis for geology since that seems to be something you two are lacking in.
"I didn't think you knew that much about rocks." Zeke says plainly.
"Not really but Patroka taught me a thing or two about them back when we were all still in Torna."
"Then it is settled. Let us continue on our journey."
Suddenly Mikhail's stomach grumbles. "Before we do, could you give me a bit of food? I haven't eaten in two days."
"And that is how we met." Mikhail puts his hands on his hips and looks extra confident.
"I guess that explains why the recent reports have a geology section now." Morag comments.
"So I guess you're a good guy now then?" Rex gestures with his hand.
"It would appear that way." Mikhail shrugs and tilts his head.
"I'll deal with Mikhail later." Morag interrupts the two of them.
"Maybe you can deal with me over dinner?" Mikhail flirts.
"Highly unlikely. For now we must find out a way to stop Exodus and his rampage."
"So that is his name huh?" Zeke inquires.
"That is correct, his name is Exodus."
"Did you notice anything off during your fight with him?" Rex asks.
"From the reports I got of his appearance, he was supposed to have ten rings with ten empty gem slots. However, during my battle with him I noticed that one of his rings was filled with a gem. It is also suspicious that the Indol titan died on the same day as his battle with me."
"Wait a minute. Did you just say that the Indol titan has died?!" Nia panics at hearing that a titan was slain.
"Yes, it is true. The titan's ether signature has completely gone out. I ordered the evacuation of anyone from Indol to immediately go to The Cliffs of Morytha or Tantal as they were the two closest titans to Indol."
"How could anyone kill a titan of that size?" Zeke ponders.
"My theory is that the death of the titan and the emergence of a gem in Exodus' ring are connected. This is due to the reports stating that Exodus committed the massacre on Indol with his bare hands, yet when he fought me he was using some sort of shapeshifting energy to create weapons." Morag states calmly.
"Does Morag think Exodus use cores of titans to power rings?" Tora questions.
"We don't know for sure, but I'm fairly certain that is what Exodus is doing."
"Does Morag know what Exodus' goal is?" Poppi joins in.
"His goal is the complete and utter annihilation of humanity."
The room is quiet for a minute as they all register how strong this opponent was to nearly kill Morag despite him being in a weakened state.
"Trying to perform Malos' plan all over again I see." Mikhail reminisces.
"Mikhail is incorrect. According to database Malos want to destroy all of Alrest. Exodus want to just destroy humans. There is a technical difference." Poppi corrects Mikhail.
"Yeah alright, those are just technicalities. By the way, where's that one older version of you? I wanna take that one out." Mikhail tries to flirt.
"QTπ is for high fire power and bulkiness. If Poppi use that form, then Mikhail may not survive." Poppi lightly threatens Mikhail.
"Aw man... but it would be worth it." Mikhail slowly pumps his fist up
Nia is starting to get annoyed with Mikhail's shennanigans. "You're literally flirting with a robot right now Mikhail. Can't you keep it in your pants."
"Woah, Woah, Woah now. No need to be so harsh to me." Mikhail mach cries.
"ANYways." Rex interrupts them to get the conversation back on track. "Do you know his motivations behind his assault?"
"As a matter of fact I do." Morag slowly breathes in and out. "Exodus fights to eradicate humanity due to the role blades play in this world."
Rex is confused by that statement. "The role blades play in this world? What do you mean?"
"Exodus believes that humans are a weak and inferior species that leach off of the power of blades. He also believes that the relationship between driver and blade is no better than the relationship between master and slave."
"That is ridiculous. Everyone knows that the relationship we share with our blades is that of partners or friends. Not some mastership role." Zeke declares.
"To be fair I kind of get where he's coming from." Mikhail says which catches everyone off guard.
"You all have to keep in mind that I'm over five hundred years old, so I've seen the way humanity has treated blades for a very long time. Hell, Indol is a shining example of the kind of abuse that blades go through. But not all humans are like that. I certainly think there needs to be change, but to destroy an entire race to achieve that? I think not."
"I can't believe Mikhail of all people just said that." Nia says in shock.
"I can't believe it either." Pandoria agrees.
There is a long pause that follows as Morag mulls over in her mind the right way to ask this of everyone who is there. Finally Morag comes to a conclusion.
"This might be asking a bit much, could you accompany me in my fight against Exodus?"
"Well of course we would. We are friends after all." Rex immediately responds.
"Anywhere he goes I go." Nia points towards Rex. "Plus you all are going to need someone to heal all those injuries you're more than likely gonna get."
"No complaints over here." Zeke waves at Morag. "I've been out in the wilderness for long enough."
"Heh and you were just complaining yesterday about coming back." Pandoria sneers at Zeke.
"Oh quiet you." Zeke responds in mach anger.
"I'm not really apart of your group but why the heck not. Not like I've got anything better to do." Mikhail rolls his eyes.
"Tora in tight position due to being both representative for Gormott and having to run artificial blade business." Tora sadly remarks to the group. "Will see if Dadapon can fill in for Tora while Tora gone."
Morag looks at all of them for a moment. "Are you all sure about this?"
"Of course we are. This sounds like all of Elysium could be in trouble if we don't do anything about it."
Morag closes her eyes and a small smile graces her lips before opening her eyes once more. "Thank you all for your support."
"So what is our next course of action?" Rex replies.
"The first thing I shall do is get the science and research team to finish their prototype for a teleportation system. The reason being if Exodus attacks another titan, then we would have no way to get there in time to stop him. We need to be able to get to each titan as quickly as possible."
"Can't we send the army after him?" Zeke tries to reason.
"That would be a horrid idea. Everyone who is in this room right now are the only people strong enough to fight this beast. If anyone else tries to fight him they will die." Morag glumly responds.
"I didn't even know the science division was working on a teleporting device." Aegaeon says in response.
"Keyword is try. They are still trying to figure out how to create such a device."
"When do you think it will be ready?" Zeke asks.
"I'm hoping within the week. This project has been in development for nearly a year now."
"Let's hope it actually works and doesn't get us all killed in the process."
"Oh even if you are killed, I can always revive you later." Nia tries to reassure Zeke.
"That doesn't help." Zeke deadpans at Nia.
"After we get the teleporters working we will wait until Exodus attacks another titan then we will engage him and kill him in our next fight. If we don't I fear he will become too powerful for even us to handle." Morag sadly declares.
"What if he tries to attack before we get our teleportation systems set up?" Pandoria asks.
"Then we have no way to defend that titan." Morag somberly states.
"On a lighter note I couldn't help but notice the ring." Zeke points out too Nia's hand.
Everyone focuses on Rex and Nia who both look at each other warmly. Everyone gets the implication and congratulates the two.
"Ooooh did friend Rex-Rex finally pop question?" Tora begins to flap his wings and get excited.
"That he did." Nia responds smiling from ear to ear.
"Congratulations you two. I hope your wedding goes well." Morag offers to the couple.
"Thanks for the kind words Morag." Rex says back while smiling and wrapping his arm around Nia's shoulder.
"Alright chum! You finally did it. When are the two of you getting hitched?"
"We were planning to get married in one month from now." Rex looks over at Nia sadly. "But with this new development of Exodus threatening to destroy all of Elysium, we might be forced to postpone our wedding until the threat is taken care of."
Nia looks down sadly at hearing those words. "Unfortunately you're right. We won't be able to do the ceremony now until this Exodus guy is taken care of."
Rex grabs Nia by the shoulder and looks into her eyes. "But after we defeat this guy, we are defiantly getting married."
Nia blushes a little at the public display before nodding her head in agreement. "Can't wait." Nia then leans in and gives Rex a soft kiss. Nia then looks back at the rest of the group who are all smiling warmly at the couple. "Morag, Tora; I do hope you two will help set up this ceremony."
"Of course Tora help friends setup. Have been waiting for three years for it to happen."
"I shall hire someone to help plan out the ceremony. I have many connections after all." Morag replies with a little bit of confidence.
Zeke looks shocked at being left out. "What? You won't even ask the mighty Zekenator for assistance?"
"Since when have you been good at planning events shellhead? You've been living off in the woods for the past four years. What do you know about planning a wedding?"
"So you still haven't dropped that nickname I see?" Zeke is annoyed at still being called by his nickname. "Although fair point I suppose."
"By the way why do you still wear that eyepatch anyways? You'd think working for the Empress would pay you enough to afford more contact lenses." Nia points out.
"It would be because he needs to shackle his eye." Morag responds plainly.
"I'm sorry what? You mean you actually believe that load of shite?" Nia points towards Zeke's eyepatch as she says so.
"If you want I could lift the eyepatch for you to see." Zeke offers.
"Nah, no reason to. I don't care enough to see." Nia says bored.
"Alright, but if Exodus is as strong as Morag says he is then I'm going to have to remove my eyepatch and use the Eye of Shining Justice."
Nia rolls her eyes, Rex and Tora look confused, and Morag looks worried.
"Zeke, are you sure about that?"
"Of course I am. I've been training it since I've left four years ago."
"Alright." There is once more a pause in the air before Morag comes to her final decision. "Well, I suppose this meeting has gone on for long enough. You may choose to either stay here in the capital or go back to your homes. It is up to you. I will have to now call a meeting with the council and make the arrangements official now. I bid you all adieu." With that Morag gets up, offers a small bow, then leaves. Brighid and Aegaeon get up and follow Morag out the door.
"Guess I'll be staying here since I don't really have a home at the moment." Zeke states as he gets up. "Guess I'll go make my room a bit more comfortable then. See you later chums." Zeke waves goodbye to everyone else and also leaves.
"Wait up my prince!" Pandoria runs after Zeke.
"I guess I'll have get ready for my date with the Empress tonight." Mikhail says slyly.
"You idiot. She's probably going to chew you up and spit you out." Nia responds irritated.
"Wouldn't be the first time a lady's done that to me." Mikhail flirts.
"Get out of here."
"Alright, alright. sheesh." With that Mikhail leaves the room as well.
"Tora gonna have to stick around at least long enough for council meeting. After that will probably go back home to start preperations to have Dadapon temporarily take over for Tora. Poppi send message to wifeypon to tell her that Tora might be gone for a day or two for sudden council meeting."
"Roger Roger Masterpon." Poppi's arm has a metal slot open up to reveal a small keyboard that Poppi begins to type on while she and Tora leave the room as well.
Nia looks over at Rex and tells him what she thinks they should do. "I think we should go back Fonsett Village and pick up Dromarch. We're probably going to be staying here until this threat is taken care of."
"I agree completely. We will need to be as close to the teleporters as possible when we get the warning of an Exodus attack." Rex nods his head. "Let's get goin then."
"Right behind you."
With that Rex and Nia leave the Grand Hall and make their way back home.
to be continued...
Author's Notes: Oh wow. This is the longest chapter to date in this story. Sorry it took longer than the other chapters to release. Also sorry that there wasn't any action in this chapter. I had to set up what's going to be taking place for the next few chapters. But anyways thank you all for reading as always. I hope to hear your thoughts on this story and I look forward to seeing all of you in the next chapter. This is Exile Mansion signing off.