The next few days passed with little issue. The party was still planning their next move, but there was still a pretty big roadblock to their complete victory: Jin. They could theoretically handle every other threat they had on their plate by themselves. Amalthus might take some work, but if they could prove his treachery, they could probably take Indol down. Malos and Akhos would also be relatively easy to best.

Jin was another story though. There was always the chance that Rex could get through to him again, but that was risky. If he failed, then they would almost certainly lose. At least, they would lose so long as Pyra and Mythra were not at their peaks, and Pyra did not seem like she was going to be in a state to try again anytime soon.

Mythra was supposedly trying to coax her out, but to no avail. Rex had not seen her since Mythra woke up on the ship. More than their need of her to fight, he missed her. The last time he had gone this long without seeing her had been when Jin had taken them, and it did not do wonders for his nerves. Especially when she was trapped in her own despair. He just felt so helpless.

He at least got a distraction when Nia darted into the room, "Rex, there you are."

"Huh? What's up?"

"Tora's gone missing. We're taking a headcount. Seems he's the only one gone."

"What?" Rex was on his feet in an instant.

"Calm down. We're meeting in the throne room. We'll talk there."

"Right," Rex nodded, but he could not stop the beating of his heart as he dashed toward the throne room.

"All we found was a singular note on the outskirts of town where he was presumably taken," Morag reported, "It seems that they are waiting for us at Genbu's head. They want both Zeke and the Aegis there."

"Torna," Rex spat, "They're behind this. I know it. They want the Omega Fetter so that they can get to the World Tree."

"A reasonable conclusion," Morag concurred, "Question is, what do we do now?"

"I'll go," Rex immediately volunteered, "Maybe I can talk Jin down."

"And if you fail, chum?"

Rex swallowed and gave them all a serious look, "What choice do we have?"

'No!' Pyra started panicking inside Mythra's head, 'Mythra! Please, talk some sense into him!'

"Don't think that you're going out there alone," Mythra stepped in.

"But they're after you two."

"And you think we're safe here? They haven't attacked mostly out of caution and not wanting to cause too much of a scene. If we don't go, then they may just come here."

"Mythra's right," Nia nodded, "Jin is patient, but eventually they'll just try to take what they want. Looks like they've forced our hand."

"I don't like this," Rex murmured even if he knew they were right. Eventually, Jin would come for them, but he had hoped they would have more time to prepare.

"Perhaps not, but I like our chances together better," Morag noted.

"Poppi also coming. Must save Masterpon."

Rex sighed, "Alright, we'll all go, but stay on your toes."

Later that night, Rex stared out over the frozen landscape of Tantal as he awaited the morrow. He was terrified, but at the same time he realized how naïve it had been to think they could just hide. He was not normally one to shrink away from a fight, but…he was scared. Scared of losing her again.

"There you are, my boy," Rex turned his head as Azurda flew up beside him, "Trouble sleeping?"

"Thinking about tomorrow," Rex answered looking down past the balcony, "Last time we went to get the Omega Fetter, and…we lost. Pyra gave herself up to save me, and…and…"

"You're afraid it might happen again."

"I'm terrified. I-I don't know if I could stand losing her again, Gramps."

"You truly do love her, don't you?"

"More than anything," Rex replied without hesitation, "She deserves to be happy, but…I'm not sure I'm strong enough to give her what she deserves."

"Don't sell yourself short, my boy. You've done more than any of us could reasonably expect of you. You've done me and Fonsett proud. I'm sure Addam would also be happy knowing that his legacy was in good hands."

Rex did not have the words to answer. Instead, he looked down at his chest watching the faint shimmering of his borrowed core crystal for a few moments before looking back to the titan, "Gramps, I have a favor to ask."

Akhos and Jin were waiting for them when they arrived at the head. Tora looked scared stiff, but otherwise okay. Still, Rex's fists clenched in apprehension as he faced one of his greatest fears.

"It seems you brought more actors than planned," Akhos adjusted his glasses, "Oh well. Prince, if you would be so kind."

Zeke and Rex shared a glance before the latter nodded. She was not in position yet, so they agreed that it was best to play along. Zeke walked up and opened the seal for Akhos to walk in and retrieve the Omega Fetter.

"Now," Jin spoke up, "The Aegis."

"Hand over Tora first," Rex insisted.

"I don't think you're in a position to negotiate. The Aegis, now!"

Rex nodded to Mythra who started walking that way, but as she slowly walked over, Jin barely rolled out of the way of a beam from above. Poppi dropped down from her hiding spot and quickly snatched up Tora before Mythra was back by Rex's side in the blink of an eye.

"So," Jin stood upright and shifted forms, "That's how it's going to be."

"It doesn't have to end like this," Rex stood his ground with Mythra's sword active, "You lost hope in this world, but I believe humans and blades can live side by side, as equals!"

"Silence, boy!" Jin brandished his weapon, "What do you possibly know about the world? What makes you think humans won't recreated the horrors of five hundred years ago? Are you going to stop them?"

"If I have to."

"Hmph, bold words," Jin stretched forth his sword, "Allow me to demonstrate your own weakness for you."

In flash, Jin tore through their party, disarming each and every one of them as if they were little more than toddlers with weapons. Soon, Rex was the only one armed, but he was not thinking clearly. This was too much like before. They were losing.

"Mythra!" Rex called out as she locked on with Siren, but it was no use. Jin was too fast. Even Siren's blasts could not touch him. Jin's counterattack was enough to knock Mythra unconscious and force her to switch to Pyra.

"Pathetic," Jin walked up to Pyra, "I was expecting–" He was silenced though by a ring flying through the air. He caught it, but Dromarch's ring had not been thrown by him or Nia.

"Don't you touch her!" Jin deftly blocked the impact from the other ring as Rex charged at him with near fanatical drive. After recovering from his surprise, Jin was easily able to knock the ring from the driver's hands, but he did not let that slow him down much.

Without any seeming difficulty, Rex picked up and began wielding Brighid's whip swords. More impressively was that he seemed experienced with the unusual weapon. Intrigued, Jin fought the boy on slightly more even footing, but he still ripped the weapons from his hand after they wrapped around his sword.

Barely missing a beat, Rex switched to Pandoria's great sword. Hefting it above his head, Rex summoned electricity before firing it off at Jin as if he had practiced this. All the while, there was a profuse desperation in his eyes as he swung his sword with abandon until it too was knocked away.

However, the next weapon surprised everyone. Rex did not seem to care though as he charged at Jin with the scimitar with hardly a thought in his head other than to protect Pyra. Unfortunately, determination alone could not carry the day.

"You've got determination, I'll admit," Jin commented as he knocked the sword out of Rex's hand before kicking his legs out from under him. Not that it took much to topple him as he could already barely stand, "But that alone can't save the world."

Pyra watched in horror as Rex kept fighting after every set back. She wanted to scream at him to just stop it. That she was not worth it, but she could not find her voice. She could not call on Mythra, and her own power was woefully outmatched. She did have one idea about using Siren, but she froze remembering the last time she had reached beyond her limits. Instead, she melted a patch of snow around her as her indecision tormented her.

"W-wait," Rex muttered as he stumbled back up to his feet clutching at his chest as Jin resumed his path to Pyra. However, everyone noticed that his voice sounded resigned, "Don't take her. Take me instead."

"Rex?" Pyra's eyes widened in horror as she realized what he was getting at.

"You?"

"Yeah," Rex moved his hand from his chest to reveal the crystal, "You just need the core crystal, right? Well, I have it too, and I know you don't need the whole thing."

Jin looked over to Malos who had been silently watching. He had to admit, the kid had been entertaining at least, "He's right. He should work too. I bet the kid would be easier to break, but it's your call."

Jin deliberated for a moment, but seeing the desperation on Rex's face brought back memories. Painful ones, but it was clear that he actually cared. It may have been a harsh fate, but Jin decided to grant his wish, "Very well. You'll come with us."

Rex nodded and took some steps to join Jin. He put on a brave face, but Pyra felt the pain shoot through her body with each step.

"Rex!" Pyra called out, but he merely smiled in response.

"Don't worry about me. Take care of yourself. Mythra too. And, Pyra, I meant it. I do love you."

Pyra tried to respond, but she could not get her mouth to work as Rex was drug off along with the Omega Fetter. They had what they needed. Rex was gone. She had failed him. Failed him again. A few tears fell the stony ground where the snow had long since melted. He was gone and she could not even tell him how she felt.

"I…I love you too…"

A/N: Don't worry, this isn't a Pyra bashing story in disguise. Really, she's kind of a sad character if you think about it, but I should be going more in depth on that soon. I actually prefer Pyra to Mythra if it wasn't obvious. Unfortunately, Mythra seems to be the talk of the town in Smash. Oh well, Pyra seems pretty great for a WoL run at least. Not that I haven't used Mythra. To anyone else doing one with them, did you use master driver Rex? So far I don't think I've used a different primary for this run. Though, final battle might pose an issue. Could use Shulk for one at least.