Chapter 6: A New Blade

Time passes and the crew finds out about rumors of Nia's execution. Obviously they're all worried but they do a good job of not showing that in public. Before they were ready to go back to Tora's house to discuss a plan, Tora brings up the driver recruitment that was happening earlier.

Tora: Ser-Ser should try too! Chance of success basically 100%!

Serena: That's not a good idea at the moment. I'm a wanted criminal to the Ardanian Empire now. Even then I don't want to be a part of their pointless wars.

Tora: Ser-Ser make good point. Tora was just curious to see what blade Ser-Ser would awaken.

Serena: Hm? But I already have Pyra. Wait, can drivers bond with more than one?

Pyra: Actually yes, in fact many drivers have multiple blades.

Azurda: It's a good way to not only gain extra numbers, but also expanded combat options. Not to mention it will put less strain on Pyra.

Serena crosses her arms and thinks for a moment.

Serena: That is a good point, with Nia gone we definitely lost some firepower. I should be careful considering I'm still new to the whole driver thing, but that's no excuse not to try. Even then, I'm curious about this either way, more things to learn is always a good thing.

Serena: I'm open to the idea, it sounds interesting. Are you alright with that Pyra?

Pyra: I don't have any objections, if anything I welcome it too. The more the merrier!

This causes Serena to smile in relief. She was actually afraid that Pyra would be offended by having another blade, especially considering that she only recently resonated with the Aegis as well.

Serena: That being said, where are we going to… wait hold on Gramps, what happened to the other Core Crystal you had? You always were telling me stories on how you were essentially guarding that one specifically.

Azurda: Ah, so you do remember that. I was always saving this core crystal for a special occasion. It's rather special and the man who gave it to me said to "Hold onto it for now, at least until a good driver can take care of her." Truth be told Serena, if the whole thing with Pyra didn't happen, I would've given you this at some point.

Serena's face shifts to a shocked expression.

Serena: Really Gramps? But that thing must be really special if you kept it around for so long.

Azurda: That's precisely why you should have it, and it's also why I gave Xander the other one. Even then you most likely would've found work elsewhere when you were done with salvaging.

Serena: I was that easy to read back then huh? Alright Gramps i'll do it, so how do I resonate with a blade then?

Azurda: Focus your whole mind on the Core Crystal as you touch it.

Serena: Hmm, I don't get the full picture, but I'll see what I can do. But we probably shouldn't do it in public, I imagine awakening a blade will draw attention to us. Let's head to Tora's place first, then we can discuss what we're going to do next.

Tora: Ser-Ser make a good point. I get to see awakening of Blade up close! Tora is so excited!

Pyra: I'm very curious as well, I hope you awaken a wonderful blade.

Serena: Alright then, let's go.

As they walked, Serena kept looking at the crystal and thought to herself.

Serena: You seem to have a bit of a backstory to you. Well whoever you are I can tell that you're going to be very special.

Pyra: Um Serena.

Serena: Yeah Pyra, do you need something?

Pyra: I wanted to ask, this is the second time you've brought up this Xander person. Can I ask who he is?

Tora: Tora was about to ask himself, is he a friend of Ser-Ser.

Serena: Oh of course, Xander is a long time friend of mine. We grew up together, but we went our separate ways a while ago.

Tora: Is he strong?

Serena: Of course but tell you what you two, I'll tell you more about him after we save Nia. That way I don't have to repeat myself too much.

Serena says with a confident smile, which Pyra and Tora smile back at before they give their responses. That was definitely something to look forward to.

Pyra: Okay, I understand. I look forward to that.

Tora: Tora agrees.

Azurda: I'll chime into those stories too, trust me there's more to that story that meets the eye.

Azurda speaks the second part of the line in a very suspicious / teasing tone that alerts Serena, which alone makes her a bit nervous. It goes over Tora's head completely, but Pyra did notice Serena tensed up. She doesn't pry on it though, at least not yet. About 5 minutes after that discussion the group finally returned to Tora's house, and all of them got ready to see Serena awaken a core crystal for the first time.

Pyra: Good Luck Serena, I know you can do this.

Tora: Tora hasn't been this excited in long time.

Azurda gave a nod to which the young lady returned in response. Serena closes her eyes and begins the process. During it she feels the energy of the core crystal is emitting and coursing through her body, but Serena's own will causes the awakening to go successfully.

Serena: This sensation, it's just like when Pyra gave me her life-force. It's feeling is intense, but nowhere near as intense as that.

When Serena opens her eyes again, she sees a staff in front of her and quickly grabs. Doing this causes the blade to take form and the entire group is in awe, especially Pyra.

Pyra: No way! It can't be…

Finally the blade revealed itself, in the form of a woman with Brown Hair and a golden circlet on her forehead. Her outfit looked very priestess-like and was in a white and red color scheme, and her diamond core was glowing near her collar. After she opened her eyes, she directly looked at Serena and spoke in a respectful tone.

Haze: Hello There, my name is Haze. I assume you are my driver, yes?

Serena: Yes I am, my name is Serena Celeste. It's nice to meet you Haze, and welcome to the team.

Serena extends her hand for a handshake to which Haze gladly accepts.

Haze: It's truly a pleasure, Lady Serena.

A sense of nostalgia hit's Pyra very hard but in a good way. Even though she and Haze haven't truly interracted, she knew exactly who that blade was. However, there was no point in mentioning that now. Either way to her, seeing Serena being bonded with Haze was a sight to behold, and she loved every second of it.

Pyra: It's also a pleasure to meet you. My name is Pyra and I'm also Serena's blade. Which officially makes us partners.

Haze: *giggles* Well then, I hope we work together well Lady Pyra.

Tora: Amazing! Tora always gets excited when driver resonates with a blade.

Haze notices the excited Nopon and bends down a bit so she can be closer to eye level with Tora.

Haze: Oh, and who might you be? Are you perhaps a friend of my Driver?

Tora: Yes, my name is Tora. Earlier Tora saved Ser-Ser and Pyra from battle.

Tora said this with great pride in his voice which caused all three of the girls to giggle faintly.

Serena: He sure is proud of that isn't he?

Haze: *Smiling* Well then, I'm glad my driver has a friend like you.

When Haze stands up straight again, she notices Azurda who just flew on Serena's shoulder, unannounced to said Driver. Before Serena can make a retort, Haze pets Azurda and comments…

Haze: Oh wow, you're so adorable. Who or what might you be?

Azurda: My name is Azurda and don't let my size fool you, I'm actually quite old. To put this simply, you can say I'm Serena's caretaker or guardian.

Serena: I call him Gramps, he used to be this giant titan who could talk. But thanks to an accident, he's like this now.

Haze: Oh my that sounds like quite the story, I sure hope you're all alright.

Azurda: Don't worry yourself about that. Aside from getting used to this form, I say I'm alright for the time being.

Serena: However, that's not the only story we need to share. Haze, we're going to need your help on a special mission. You see, we're actually missing a friend of mine named Nia and her Blade Dromarch. Not too long after we arrived in the city we got into a fight which Tora mentioned earlier. Unfortunately, she was captured and we wish to break her out. We know she's being kept in the Ardainian Warship. There are rumors about them being executed, but something tells me that those are somewhat fabricated. Either way, we're about to plan a rescue mission for those two.

After a few seconds of silence so Haze can take in all that information, she finally comments…

Haze: Oh my, that's quite the situation. But I can tell how much you want to do this, and I'll do whatever I can to help you. My specialty is healing so I'll be able to fix any injury sustained on this mission. Plus I have a useful ability to restrict the movements of any blade, however doing so will leave me open.

Serena: That sounds incredible! Alright Haze, you can tell me more about your abilities some other time. Right now we need to plan.

Tora: Tora will go get map, that'll be very helpful for planning.

Serena: Thank you Tora.

Pyra: Hold on Serena, you mentioned that you didn't believe in the rumors, at least not fully. Can I ask you why?

Serena: It just seems excessive to me, especially considering how much information they can get out of Nia. It just seems both cruel and kind of dumb to just kill her, even then she's not with Torna anymore.

Pyra: That is a good point, well I sure hope your analysis is correct.

A few minutes pass and all 5 of the team are sitting at a table discussing their plans.

Serena: I think no matter what, we should do this at night. Fewer eyes are outside and more vantage points for us as well.

Pyra: Hold on, I see something. That root, it's one of the Grandarbor's roots right? If this map is correct, it goes all the way to the bottom of the warship. Also that's some kind of cargo entrance, could we sneak in from there?

Haze: That sounds like a wonderful plan, not many people will search from below.

Tora: Security is very light down there, at night there are no workers there at all.

Azurda: Then it doesn't seem we have any other choice.

Serena: Then we'll head over there at night, quick question should we do this today or tomorrow?

Tora: Tora suggests tomorrow, it's already late outside … also … *laughs*

Serena: Got something up your sleeves Tora?

Tora: Better if Ser-Ser and friends to just see.

With that Tora leads the group to his Secret project.

Hey Guys, ChaosChris here again with an update and a question. Before I say the update I want to thank the people who've been following this story and have made it to this chapter, you guys are super awesome.

Now for the update, this is the end of the chapters I've already pre-wrote before publishing them. Meaning that now updates for this story won't be as frequent as they've been so far. However this doesn't mean I'm stopping completely, In fact chapter 7 is in development so stay tuned. Following this story is going to be far more important now, so if you haven't please do so you don't miss out when I eventually post chapter 7.

Now here's my question, Do you guys want me to make these chapters longer? With the chapters longer we can cover more ground, I personally want to try doing that for Chapter 7 but let me know what you think by leaving a review.

That's it from me right now, Until we meet again ...

-Happy Reading!-