Chapter 8: Powerful Drivers Clash
It's now 2pm the next day currently, we catch up to Team Aegis currently outside of Torigoth. The entire team is training to prepare for they save Nia, better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. This consisted of Tora and Serena dueling so that Tora can get some fighting experience and further hone is defensive style with Poppi. Serena, Pyra, and Haze were all coming up with battle strategies primarily on the two blades switching and/or fighting simultaneously. The two blades even had a duel thanks to the suggestion of Serena. Pyra won the battle, but it was close fight and the four spectators throughly enjoyed it with Serena getting some useful notes from their battle. With that she was able to have a complete set of Arts for Her and Haze.
Serena + Haze:
- Stardust Soother: Heals Party
- Windy Cyclone: AOE / Aggro Down
- Planet Breaker: Break
- Blitz Strike: Side Attack UP
-Garbodar Roots 10:00pm-
Serena: There's the entrance, but it looks really high up there. Give me a second everyone.
When Serena says that she fires at the opening with her Anchor and pulls herself gracefully to the ship with ease. Now comes the second part of her grand strategy...
Serena: Pyra I'll start with you. Just stand on that and I'll pull you up.
Pyra who had a face of concern stepped on the Anchor, and as soon as she does Serena's face switches from confident to stressed in a matter of seconds. While She was able to lift Pyra a bit, Serena's efforts were clearly not making any results. While Serena didn't say anything, Pyra deduced that she was simply too heavy for her driver to lift. Embarrassed by the implication Pyra quickly steps off the Anchor and says...
Pyra: I-I'm so sorry...
This action cased Serena to fall backwards.
Pyra: I'm sorry. I am so sorry.
At this point Haze put her hand on Pyra's back in an attempt to console the Aegis. Serena really couldn't say anything at this point, she blamed herself for not being able to lift Pyra at all. But luckily that's when Poppi came up and offered assistance. After a few minutes, everyone is now directly on the ship. After a few minutes of sneaking around and sometimes getting into fights...
Haze: My Lady, I can sense a blade on its own in this general location.
Poppi: Masterpon, Poppi can also feel Blade's presence here too.
Serena: That has to be Dromarch, Haze can you give us a more pinpoint location.
Haze: Please give me a moment - ... He should be in this door right here.
Pyra: Alright leave the Door to me.
Pyra began to charge up a fire blast to carefully, however due to a miscalculation on her part she accidentally put too much power into her blast. As soon as the others noticed that they instinctually backed away so they don't get burned.
Pyra: Umm ... I didn't hurt anyone did I?
Serena: Pyra, I think that was a bit excessive.
Pyra: I'm sorry, it's hard to judge the power sometimes.
Dromarch: Pyra & Serena!
Azurda: Dromarch, it's good to see you are alright.
Tora: It very good.
Poppi: Poppi and Haze were right, we knew there was blade here.
Haze: And it's a beast blade, those are quite rare.
Dromarch: Master Titan, forgive me but who are they?
Serena catches Dromarch on their plan and introduces everyone new to the beast blade.
Dromarch: I see, so you're Miss Serena's 2nd Blade. It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Haze.
Haze: The feeling is mutual Master Dromarch. I'm looking forward to meeting your driver.
Serena: Speaking of Nia, are you able to sense her presence Dromarch?
Dromarch: Of course, we are in resonance after all.
Serena: Then lead the way please, we can't allow Nia to be executed here.
Dromarch: Understood, follow me.
Nia's location was a bit farther then they thought, which was a smart decision in the perspective of the army. But either way, in a matter of minutes Team Aegis got to Nia's location and defeated the guards in front of Nia's prison.
Serena: Nia, are your alright?!
Nia: Serena ... you actually ...
Dromarch: Apologies for my late arrival my lady.
Nia: Don't mention it, I didn't think anyone was coming at all.
Serena: Did you really think I was going to abandon you. "Always Help those who help you." That's the second and best rule of the salvager code.
Serena reaches out her hand to help Nia off the ground. The Gormotti accepts and the crew exit the room.
Haze: So you're Nia? My name is Haze, Lady Serena's Blade.
Nia: Serena's blade huh? Nice to meet you too, I didn't think you resonate with another so soon.
Serena: We needed extra hands, and Haze fulfilled that role nicely. I'm proud of you Haze.
Haze: You flatter me My Lady.
Time passes on and Team Aegis managed to unlock the door to the hanger, they're almost done with their mission.
Tora: Not much further to exit!
Dughall: Not so fast, my dear invaders. It will look very bad if I let a Torna Member out of my grasp. The Emerald Core Crystal, you must be the Aegis.
Serena: Let me stop you right there. I can already tell what you want, and you're not getting filthy greedy hands on my partner.
Dughall: You've got some nerve saying that to me, but you're not completely wrong. Anyone would be a fool not to claim her power, and since I'm not a fool I will claim her. Can't argue with that logic.
Poppi: Detecting flaws in final stage of logic.
Nia: I think Serena said it best, you're done with capturing today you greedy bastard.
Dughall: *Scoff* Such Impudence, It seems I have to silence you all myself.
Serena: I like to see you try! Haze, Pyra get ready!
Pyra: Got it!
Haze: Understood Lady Serena!
With that the team charged straight to Dughall, immediately the Consul hid behind his blade named Holmes. While the team were able to score some hits on Dughall, he just kept running away. This kept up for a few minutes until the group backed up to discuss.
Serena: You Slimy Coward! You're just running away and hiding behind your blade!
Dughall: Does common sense elude you?! Why wouldn't I do this when I blade is essentially indestructible the driver is alive.
Nia: You Scumbag, that doesn't mean Blades don't feel pain!
Haze: My Lady, I think I have an idea for us to win this "battle".
Serena: I'm listening.
Haze: I've noticed that either he'll run towards his blade or the opposite will happen. If we can separate them completely then taking down at least one of them should be a lot easier.
Serena: I'm game for that. Nia, see if you can back the coward into a corner and don't let him get close to his blade. As soon as Tora and I finish off his blade we'll join you. If you beat him first, regroup with us.
Nia: Sounds like a plan, I'll gladly kick his ass for you guys.
Serena: Tora, Poppi, you two understand the plan right?
Tora: Of course Ser-Ser!
Poppi: Poppi will gladly assist friends in their plan.
Serena: Alright let's do this!
With That Haze backs off from the battle and uses her Blade Restriction ability to weaken Dolmes significantly. She's not going all out to conserve stamina and just in case Dughall attempts to strike her. With that being said Haze's idea works with flying colors. Dolmes was no match against Serena and Tora, and even with Nia on her own she was more than enough to knock out Dughall.
Serena: That was an Excellent idea Haze, great thinking. Are you alright, restricting the Blade didn't take too much out of you right?
Haze: I'm quite alright My Lady. I didn't use my full power to restrain him. However, it was a bit more difficult than I thought. I'm still more than ready just in case we end up in another battle.
Serena: What about you Pyra?
Pyra: No issue's here either.
Serena: Perfect, we should get out of here now. Whoever made this trap for us must be waiting outside now.
Tora: Trap?
Nia: So, you knew this was a trap and you still came here anyway.
Serena: That's right.
Nia says nothing to that response although internally she was dumbfounded by it.
Nia: Then let's leave now, maybe we can still get out of here unscathed.
With that the team runs as fast as they can out of the airship. It's now midnight, but that didn't stop any of them from running. However ...
Pyra: Those Blue flames again.
Serena: Brighid.
And not just her, but there was someone beside her. Female, Carrying Brighid's swords, and radiating this feeling of Authority.
Nia: And she's brought her Driver.
Dromarch: That's Morag, the FlameBringer!
Serena: From Mor Ardain?!
Dromarch: The very same, The Special Inquisitor and Mor Ardain's most powerful Driver. Paired up with the Jewel of Mor Ardain and the Strongest Blade from the same titan, Brighid.
Serena: I've heard stories of her, from what I hear she doesn't screw around.
Pyra: Seems like they were waiting for us.
Azurda: Yes, seems like you were completely right on that end Serena.
Morag: I don't even know why I expected Dughall to slow you down. But I am impressed that you bested him very easily.
Nia: That was surprising cunning of you, spreading rumors about "my execution" so that Serena and Pyra would come here.
Morag: You catch on quickly, and you were indeed useful. However…
Nia: Pyra and Serena are your prizes?
Morag: Not quite. The emerald core crystal is the sign of the Aegis, then there's only one thing to do.
Serena: What are you insinuating?
Morag: The power to sunder Alrest, I can not allow that to happen once more.
Serena: Pyra … Destroyed the world? Don't be ridiculous, she wouldn't do something like that!
Morag: I'm surprised you are unaware of this. 500 years ago during the Aegis war, the Aegis sunk 3 titans into the cloud sea bed.
Serena: Th-Three?
Morag: I speak nothing but historical facts, young lady.
Both Haze and Serena look at Pyra, whose face just screams extreme hurt and confirmation, she even looks like she can cry depending on what gets said next. With that both of their faces switches from shock to determination once they look at each other and then Morag.
Haze: Lady Morag is your name right? I think I know what you're up to now. You want to use Lady Pyra as some sort of weapon for the war don't you? Do you honestly think me and My Lady here will allow that to happen.
Both Haze and Serena stand in front of Pyra, who at this point has a shocked expression on her face.
Morag: I clearly just said I wish to prevent that from happening.
Serena: And what happens when we start resisting?
Morag activates her swords as a threat.
Morag: Then I'll restrain you personally.
Serena: *Scoffs* Good luck trying, because you are… NOT … TAKING … OUR PARTNER!
Everyone gets in their fighting stances, before Pyra follows suit she just smiles at Serena and Haze, then nods as if she was saying "Thank You".
Morag: Well then, hard way it is then. Show me that passion's form, Serena!
The Battle commences, it starts off fairly even at first. Serena at this point is fully utilizing the fact that she has 2 blades and using her bottomless trust in both Haze and Pyra, she switches between them easily. Not to mention with Dromarch and Haze healing, and Poppi showing her capabilities as a tank, The team is doing well against Morag. Morag is legitimately impressed, but ultimately starts showing the gap between herself and Serena. Morag and Brighid together still overpower the group and is objectively the better warrior.
Morag: You're certainly impressive Serena, this was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. However, it's time to end this!
With that Morag and Brighid launches the entire group back with an explosion. This unfortunately separates Haze from Serena, which brings a perfect opportunity for Morag to attack the driver in question. The two women go back and forth, but it's clear that Serena is on the back foot especially when Morag lands a blow on Serena's left wrist. Both Serena and Pyra let out a pained scream in response.
Morag: Stubborn Woman, why don't you give up already?
Morag lands another attack which sends Serena falling to the ground. Unfortunately for Serena with all the things that's happened to it so far, her jacket were showing signs of not lasting. Not only was most of the left sleeve burnt off, exposing her arm up to her elbow. But the jacket itself was open due to the zipper breaking.
Serena: Damn it! Don't you underestimate us!
Serena tries to land 3 attacks, but the first two were blocked and the last one was expertly dodged from a backflip by Morag. There was even a 4th attack that almost connected with Morag from Haze who finally got up.
Haze: *Worried* My Lady, are you alright?!
Serena: I'm alright. Damn I loved this jacket too. You're stronger than us Morag, that much is obvious. But I refuse to let you take Pyra, she's more than just a weapon and the Aegis. She's a living being too!
With that Serena offers and Hand to help Pyra up, which the blade accepts. Right after that Haze hands Serena her weapon, ready to prepare a combination attack.
Serena: We have a mission to accomplish, and I refuse to let you or anyone else STAND IN OUR WAY! EX HEATWAVE!
Serena launches a powerful attack that combines both Haze's wind and Pyra's fire. While it does push Morag back a bit, it's not remotely enough to stop Morag.
Morag: While this battle has been interesting, it's time to end this before it gets completely tiresome.
Brighid: Lady Morag, stay vigilant. There's an unknown power lurking within these foes.
Morag: You've noticed too. The blade he calls Pyra, it's true that your flames burn stronger than hers. But they also hide something deeper.
Serena, Haze, and Pyra all back up to regroup and Serena shares an idea.
Serena: I've got one final plan, Haze can you prepare your restriction ability again.
Haze: Yes, however I can't completely stop Brighid. At best i'll be able to weaken her and potentially slow her movements.
Serena: That'll do, as for you Pyra can you manage a full power attack.
Pyra: Yes, maybe about one or two more.
Serena: And Dromarch, how much water will you be able to summon at once?
Dromarch: If I were to use most of my power, it'll be enough to fill a small pond.
Nia: What are you up to Serena?
Serena: I want all of us to meet up at that gate over there. We're going to make a massive smoke bomb to escape.
The entire group is a little dumbfounded by the idea, but...
Nia: At this point it's worth a shot.
Serena: Dromarch and Haze, your timing needs to be really good. They'll most likely either dodge or deflect the attack if we're off. Haze must restrict Brighid before Dromarch's attack lands so it can be affective. Once there's water on the ground, Me and Pyra will unleash a full power Burning Sword to make the bomb. As soon as you see smoke, RUN!
Tora: That sounds like what Ser-Ser and Pyra did to escape from Fire Lady the first time.
Serena: Exactly Tora.
Dromarch: Consider it done Ms. Serena.
Haze: I won't let you down My Lady.
Serena: I know you won't, Let's GO!
With that the team head straight to the gate but stop right before they exit it. Noticing this Morag gives chase but are surprised when they stopped.
Morag: Why stop there of all places, what are they up to.
Serena: NOW!
Nia: Full Power, WILD ROAR!
Dromarch lets out a furious roar, sending out a massive stream of water. Morag get's ready to deflect, but is caught off guard when she sense that Brighid's power has weakened without even the water touching her. Little did she know, Haze's Ability that she has yet to use in the battle was working an her timing was flawless. The attack connects causing Morag and especially Brighid to get soaked, which caused the blade in question to fall to her knees with steam coming off her. As soon as Morag noticed the steam...
Morag: OH NO!
... It was too late.
Serena & Pyra: BURNING SWORD!
A huge amount of steam started spreading around the battlefield, taking no chances the team made a mad dash out of the area and successfully escaped. After the smoke cleared they were gone, leaving Morag and Brighid alone. Morag smirks in Approval, knowing that her adversary held back and still won in the end.
Morag: Well Played Serena. We'll meet again, I'm certain of it.
Operation Rescue Mission: COMPLETED!
Wow this took way too long to come out, I guess that's way other responsibilities will do to a passion project. I really hope you guys enjoyed this installment, and hopefully the next chapter will be out sooner.
Next time... Chapter 9: Childhood Bonds! A certain character gets mentioned next chapter, and I can't wait to share it with you all.
See you later, and Happy Reading Everyone!