"Lady Morag, we're receiving word from Indol. They are demanding that we alter course, or they will open fire."
"Have you sent word that this is not an official military vessel?"
"Yes, ma'am, they don't care."
"I didn't expect them to. We just have to make sure the Imperial Military is not officially tied to this. Rex, are you ready?"
"Yeah," Rex replied brandishing the sword of the master blade, "Just drop us off. We'll make an opening."
The Indoline troops watched as the ship flew overhead as the artillery fired at it to no avail. However, after the shadow of the ship passed, they quickly realized that something, or rather, someone had jumped from the ship as it flew overhead.
The master driver landed with his sword cracking the stone underneath sending out a shockwave that knocked anybody nearby off their feet. Shortly after, his blade landed gracefully beside him. Save for those closest to the impact, the soldiers quickly recovered and started surrounding the driver and blade.
"There's a lot of them," Rex commented.
"Don't worry," Pythra smirked, "We got this. Let's show them the power of an Aegis and Aegis Driver, shall we?"
Rex smirked in reply, "Couldn't have said it better myself."
"Not bad kid," Mikhail commented as he walked onto the dock with the others, "You too…Mythra?"
"You can call us Pythra when we're like this," Mythra suppressed an internal groan while Rex smirked at the use of the name he had come up with. He was rather proud of that one.
"We have our beachhead," Morag evaluated the situation, "But we cannot let up. It's us against Indol. Rex, Pyra, Mythra, end this quick."
"Understood," Rex nodded, "Let's go everyone."
With a master driver and blade combo on their side, the group was able to fight their way up the stairs to the large, circular landing, but the resistance was getting more fierce. Their progress had slowed down considerably, but they still managed to keep taking ground.
"Do you guys…hear something?" Pandoria asked during a slight lull.
"I don't hear anything," Brighid replied.
"Wait, I hear something too," Nia's ears perked up, "What is that humming?"
"Tora," Rex looked at the nopon, "You're sure this is gonna work?"
"Tora is super genius. Seventy-three percent confident that they would never find sabotage."
Just as Tora was getting some less than thrilled looks from his allies, the amplifier towers began lighting up. In unison, they began to send out the effects of Haze's core crystal. The energy they emitted was almost beautiful, but it was not long lived as soon the southeastern tower was rendered inoperable by a fiery explosion followed shortly by the other four.
"Ha!" The nopon did a happy dance in celebration, "Tora knew feedback destroy other towers even if not sure what they were back then."
"Way to go, fluffball!" Zeke praised, "We might survive this yet!"
"Was there ever any doubt?" Tora asked smugly.
"Yes," Poppi replied before following after the others.
"Meh-meh?"
They faced significant resistance at the main gate. Rex could have broken down the doors, but the soldiers kept getting in the way. He was trying to conserve their strength and avoid using too much force, but it was starting to look like he might have to let loose a bit.
However, just as Rex was about to channel a bit more power, the line of soldiers in front of him had their feet frozen to the floor as they charged. Rex looked for the source of the ice to see a familiar flesh eater.
"Jin?" Nia asked incredulously, "What are you doing here?"
"We tracked Mikhail," Akhos answered sniping a few approaching soldiers.
"Is this really your best plan, boy?" Jin asked as he froze a titan weapon in place.
"Maybe," Rex replied slightly embarrassed.
"Go, we'll hold them off."
"Alone?"
"Are you doubting me?" Jin gave the master driver a sidelong glance.
"Er, right!" Rex backed down and got to concentrating. With Pythra at his side, he easily unleashed a blast more than capable of forcing the massive doors open. As they piled in, Rex looked back to Jin, "Are you really not coming?"
"No, not after what I did to Lora. You serve that man justice in my stead."
Rex nodded, "I will. Don't overdo it out here."
Jin simply grunted in response, but after he was gone, he spoke, "Good luck, kid."
Rex, Pythra, Tora, Poppi, and Mikhail charged up the stairs to the Praetor's audience chamber. The rest were holding the stairwell far enough away to keep out of the effect of Haze's core crystal. Haze herself also stayed behind with her powers helping significantly against any drivers they faced.
At the top of the stairs, they found what Rex had been expecting. The crazed Praetor was waiting for them dressed in his abomination of an armor. The mere sight made Rex's grip tighten around the hilt of his weapon.
"You," Amalthus' eyes narrowed in utter contempt as he eyed Rex and the others, "How? How could someone so insignificant cause me so much trouble?"
"It's over, Amalthus," Rex raised his sword to the Praetor, "Your reign ends now!"
Amalthus simply laughed in response, "Silly child. Do you think simply having that blade makes you my equal? If you think you can challenge me, then I welcome you to try!"
At once the suit's tentacles unleashed an all-out barrage. Poppi was able to get Tora to safety with her speed while Pythra's barrier took the brunt of the attack. Even for an Aegis, these strikes were nothing to scoff at. It would be better to avoid taking a hit.
Fortunately, Mikahil was there to distract the Praetor with several blasts of dark energy, "Bah! How are you even still moving?"
"What? You don't remember your little project?" Mikhail deftly avoided a swipe of a tentacle.
"You…but I thought I had them all disposed of…"
"You certainly tried, but some of us ended up being hard to kill," Mikhail snarled, "I've lived all these years just waiting to get my revenge. I've already testified as to what you did. Now it's time to end you."
"Worm!" Amalthus got in a lucky swipe, "You think you are worthy to so much as touch me?" He went in for a follow up, but found his arm encased in ice from Poppi's variable saber. Poppi prepared for a larger beam, but the tentacles moved to form a shield to protect him.
"Alright," Rex fell back a little looking to Pythra, "Just like we practiced."
"Right," They nodded taking hold of the sword as well, "Let's go all out!"
"Calling Siren," They held the sword aloft. After a moment of silence, a beam shot through the roof of the Praetorium and hit the sword like a lightning rod. With the might of Siren's laser coursing through the sword, driver and blade reared back.
"Infinity Blade!" Their voices rang out in unison as they drove their sword forward. Amalthus tried to block it with the tentacles, but the sword clave clean through them and into the man inside.
Rex and Pythra were left panting as they continued to hold the sword lodged in Amalthus' chest.
"Is it over?" Mikhail asked after a moment, "He's finally dead?"
"Yeah," Rex nodded pulling the sword out, "He's dead."
"We should see about a ceasefire," Pythra commented.
"Right," Rex agreed, "Let's go."
"Hmm, they made good time," The blonde looked at the countdown running on another monitor, "It should still be about a week before that irksome hom finishes up. No matter, my preparations are almost complete."
Another monitor zoomed in closer on a green haired figure until it showed the emerald core crystal on her chest, "Relish in your victory while it lasts, boy."
A/N: So, maybe now you can see how the final arc may differ which begs the question, do you want it as part of the same story or separate?
In other news, I am generally trying to limit my forum exposure. As much as I might want to talk about certain things, it seems have a tendency to not end well. I'm still willing to chat if anyone wants, but large forums or the like, yeah, might be best if I avoid.