After securing Uraya's agreement to at least not support Indol so long as Amalthus was in charge, Rex and the gang returned to Mor Ardain to see how Morag faired with her end of the negotiations. During the trip, Rex had discussed becoming Haze's driver, though, oddly enough, Mythra was usually the one that answered him, not that he paid that detail much mind.

It seemed like a fairly simple process, but they had not gotten around to it by the time they reached the Empire. Once they arrived, they had more pressing concerns as they met with the Special Inquisitor and Tantalese Prince. The two actually did not look to be at each other's throats at least.

"The Senate has agreed to halt support of Indol, but they are hesitant to lend military aid to the cause."

"Uraya's position is much the same," Haze commented.

"Tantal doesn't have a single warship," Zeke added, "Looks like we're on our own here."

"That might be for the best in a way," Rex mused, "Indol's titan has some pretty big guns. We might be better off with a smaller party."

"Yeah, but we still have to get there," Nia pointed out, "I doubt they'll let us just waltz into the Praetorium."

"Well, his majesty may be able to help there," Morag informed, "Officially, Mor Ardain will not offer assistance. However, it seems my brother has seen fit to gift me with a private vessel. A very fast one."

"Alright!" Pandoria celebrated, "Way to go!"

"If we're going to do this, then we should be careful," Rex noted, "Tora and I may have hindered his ability to project Haze's powers, but he still has part of her core crystal. Most blades will be weakened in his presence. Not to mention his armor that is really bad news for blades and flesh eaters."

"No problem for Poppi!" The artificial blade nodded enthusiastically, "Poppi immune Haze's effect."

"Tora go with Rex-Rex all the way!"

"Thanks, guys," Rex smiled, "But I also had some more help in mind."

It was determined that they would leave early the next morning. This gave them one night to themselves. Rex and Pyra had decided to go out into town. They found a nice bench with a good view and simply enjoyed each other's company, but during the whole thing, something was bothering Pyra. Namely, whatever was bothering Mythra.

Knowing she would deny it incessantly, Pyra opted to instead force her hand, "I think Mythra has something on her mind."

"Huh?" Rex looked at her, "What is it?"

"Well, if you're going to throw subtilty out the window," Mythra complained after she took to the front before sighing, "Don't worry about it."

"Come on, Mythra," Rex gently elbowed her, "You can tell us."

"It's just," Mythra looked down at the ground between her feet, "I'm worried that I'm in the way."

"In the way?" Rex raised his brow.

"Well…you and Pyra are so close and such a cute couple, and I'm just kind of here. I mean, Pyra and I are kinda stuck together, but I don't want to get in the way of your happiness. Don't deny it isn't ever awkward either."

'Mythra…'

"Mythra, don't worry about it. We'll figure something out. Besides, I still plan to climb the World Tree."

"You do? But I thought Elysium was…"

"It is, but maybe the Architect can help us. We were kind of pressed for time back then, but maybe he has a plan. While we're there, I can ask if he can separate you two."

'Separate us…is that possible?'

"I…well, I suppose father might be able to do it."

"See?" Rex grinned, "So don't feel down. Besides, it's not so bad having you around. Isn't that right, Pyra?"

'Well, most of the time.'

Mythra let out a slight giggle as a smile lit up her face, "Alright, alright. Point taken. Now, back to being all mushy, you two."

"Will do!" Pyra chimed happily as she cuddled up closer to Rex.

The next morning, Rex met early with Fan before the others arrived. Pyra was no longer trepidatious. She had come to realize just how silly she had been. Haze was no threat to her. Rex had made that abundantly clear.

"So, what do we do?" Haze asked the master driver.

"Hand me your weapon."

Haze quietly complied and handed him her staff. With it in hand, Rex focused on it. The ether flow came easy after practicing with the others, but here he had to go a step further. He had to dominate the ether flow. Make it his own. The bond would answer to him. It was a bit more forceful than he normally liked, but it was a necessary part of the process.

"Phew, there you go," Rex handed the staff back after only a few seconds.

"That's…it?" Haze was not sure what to expect, but she expected…more.

"Yeah, apparently," Rex grinned.

Pyra quickly switched over to Pythra for a quick confirmation before switching back, "Yes, I can confirm that you are now bound to Rex as his blade. You are no longer tied to Amalthus."

"Thank you. All of you, but…do you really think it will come to blows?"

Thinking back to Amalthus' twisted suit and his crazed expression, Rex shook his head, "I don't think there's a way we come out of this without fighting."

"Everyone ready?" Rex stood on the deck of the ship with the team assembled.

"I'm not sure about letting this guy come along," Pandoria held her hand up and not so discreetly pointed over at the blonde.

"We may not always get along, but trust me, Mikhail wants to take down Amalthus even more than we do."

"You got that right," Mikhail smirked, but there was something dangerous behind the gesture, "That snake has been allowed to hurt people for far too long. So long as it means taking him down, I'm more than willing to be a team player."

"Good," Rex nodded. He had considered recruiting Patroka, but, well, that armor was incredibly dangerous to blades. Even flesh eaters. Ideally, he could have left Pyra and Mythra behind, but, well, he was not sure they could win without them.

"Well then, if that's out of the way," Morag looked to Rex, "Would you like to give the order?"

"Me? Um," Rex cleared his throat, "Right! To Indol!"

A/N: If I don't do the final arc as the same story, next chapter might be the last one. Again, if you have interest in some of the story ideas, let me know.

With forums not being the best places for me…these stories may end up as kind of my main XC2 outlets it seems if it isn't already, so, yeah.