What's up, everyone! This is GKC here bringing you a new story set in the Xenoblade Chronicles series.

This takes place in XC2. Why? I don't have XC3 yet and XC2 is the one I've played the most.

Now for the disclaimer: I do not own, except my OCs, Xenoblade or other known material. All rights belong to their respective owners.

Now let's get this party started…BEGIN!


Chapter 1: From Normalcy to Driver


They say that by taking something for granted, you tend to oversee the value of its purpose.

That's what I believed, at least.

Why?

Well, simple really. I once thought my life was boring. I just went with the motions. Wake up, eat, go to work, return home, sleep, and repeat. It was like I had become a drone that had no form of free will.

I hated it.

I hated this sense of normalcy that made the foundation of my entire life.

So you can imagine my surprise and confusion when I take a brief nap at home after playing on my Nintendo Switch. I woke up in a creepy, dark chamber that felt oddly familiar.

I don't know what's happening nor do I understand how I got here but I thought it was just a lucid dream.

Oddly enough, I saw some kind of container that held…a girl inside?

Wait… I've seen her before… Where did I…?

My eyes drifted towards an object planted in the center of the chamber, right in front of the container holding the girl. It looked like a large, jagged red blade that felt…warm.

My hand slowly reached for it. The warmth felt nice. It was like being wrapped in a blanket that shielded my body from any form of cold.

Fingers brushed against the surface of the hilt. The warmth surged into my body. Nerves burned, blood boiled, and skin felt like fire. It was like I was being cooked from the inside out…and yet, I felt no pain. The fire that filled my being seemed…gentle, in a sense.

"Who are you?" I heard a voice speak. It sounded familiar. "I suppose it does not matter. I apologize for this."

Wait, apologize for wh-

PAIN!

I felt searing pain pierce my chest! It was like I had just been hit with something-

*Cough!*

…Oh…I've been stabbed…in the chest…there's a blade through my heart…

…Fuck, that hurts…

"W-What did you do that-" I heard a voice. It was young and sounded like a teenage boy.

It sounded…familiar…


Am I…dead?

The pain…

…it felt real.

But why did that happen? How am I still alive? And what's with this warmth?

What happened to my simple life where I didn't just literally get stabbed in the fucking back!?

*DING!*

I heard a bell… Like something from a church…

My eyes opened and I found myself…in an empty field. Well, not entirely empty. There was grass and trees but there was one particular tree in the distance left all by its lonesome…

…with a red figure standing beside it.

Seeing as how I needed answers, I marched over to the figure. My feet moved at a brisk pace yet every step I took, my heart began to beat rapidly.

When I came closer to the figure, I kinda recognized her as that girl in the weird tube thing. Why does she look so familiar?

"Excuse me? Can you tell me where I am?" I asked her. She didn't answer. I was about to persist before I heard her speak.

"It's such a mournful sound…"

"Huh?"

"It hasn't stopped. Not…" She hesitated. "Not in all these years…"

"You mean…the bell?" I asked, a bit concerned. "What is this place? Can you tell me?"

"This is…Elysium." The girl said. Elysium? I feel like I've heard that name before… "The land where, long ago, mankind lived in harmony with their creator. It's where… "We" were born."

"We?" I repeated, completely confused. This isn't making sense at all. I'm pretty sure Earth didn't have such a weird beginning unless she meant the Biblical God version.

When the girl turned around to face me, I think my eyes bulged out of my skull.

The girl is actually a young woman with short red hair that she styles into a bob cut and red eyes. She had a glowing green crucifix symbol above her breasts. She wore short red and black armor with gold and green ornamentation. She also wears black fingerless gloves, armored red thigh-high boots, red short-shorts, a long multicoloured reverse drape scarf-like cape and a golden tiara.

I knew I recognized her! I knew I recognized that sword!

This is Pyra, the Aegis! A central protagonist in Xenoblade Chronicles 2!

"Holy shit…" I said with disbelief.

She smiled, it was…breathtakingly beautiful. "My name is Pyra."

"Oh, uh…" What the hell am I supposed to say!? I'm literally right in front of a living, breathing video game character who is absolutely gorgeous! Wait, if this is a dream, I could-

"I already know. Your name is Ch-"

"Nero!" I cut her off, surprising Pyra.

"Eh? But isn't it-" Pyra seemed confused but I insisted.

"Just…call me Nero. I'm not sure if this is all real or not, yet." I told her.

Pyra contemplated what I said to her before she nodded, "Very well, I'll refer to you as Nero until you feel ready."

"Thank you, Pyra." I smiled. "So…I'm guessing you learned my name when my hand touched that sword, right?"

Pyra nodded, "Yes, it was right before…" She hesitated, looking quite sad. I…I didn't like seeing her sad.

"...Before I was killed." A hand went to my chest. I could still feel the phantom pain of steel piercing my heart. The bewilderment, the agony…the fear. They say when you die your life flashes before your eyes. All I saw in the end was a damn sword in my chest.

The realization hit me as well as my stomach. Dropping to my knees as I expunged whatever I ate onto the grass. The taste of bile lingered in my mouth even after I spat the last bit out.

I actually died. I actually. FUCKING. DIED!

It's… It's not fair. I didn't even do anything. I just touched a sword and I ended up getting skewered for it?!

If I ever get the chance, I'll get that bastard back. I'll rip his arms off and beat him to death with them! I'll kill him. Kill him! KILL HIM!

"Nero," I froze when a hand landed on my shoulder, forcing me to gaze into gentle red eyes. "I have a request. Can you…take me to Elysium?"

How… How am I supposed to do anything!? I get this place this just a memory if my knowledge from playing the game is of any indication but what she's asking me…

"What am I supposed to do? I can't exactly leave since I'm dead. And this isn't even my world! I'm not a warrior. I'm not a hero. How am I supposed to get you to Elysium?!" I don't think my voice had ever sounded so broken before. "Pyra… I'm not the man you should be asking." I looked away, unable to face her. I had no right. I shouldn't be here. Rex is the one who should be with her.

The Blade's hand on my cheek, gently, almost lovingly, brought my gaze back onto her angelic face. "Even if you say you aren't, we still formed a connection. As such… I will never leave you."

My heart raced. I felt…the warmth in her words. Even though I'm basically useless as a fighter, Pyra doesn't see that. I can't… I can't let her words mean nothing.

I chuckled. Here I am, nearly losing my grip on reality when this woman, this angel was merely trying to help me. "Alright, Pyra. I'll help." I told her, forcing myself to stand on my own feet as I faced her. "I'll do what I can to get you to Elysium."

Pyra's smile grew as her hands went to her Core Crystal. "Then in order for our journey to begin, I will give you half of my life force. That way…you can be revived… As my Driver. As the Driver of the Aegis."

The moment she said that, I realized the implications of what must be done. If I become her Driver, I would essentially be held accountable for Alrest. Not gonna lie, I'm absolutely terrified of such responsibility. I know I'm not a hero and I don't have any illusions in thinking I could ever live up to those expectations. But if it means I can see Pyra smile… I'd move Heaven and Earth with my bare hands.

"Pyra…" I took her hand in mine.

"Huh?" She looked at me in confusion. I think her cheeks became dusted with pink, completely unprepared from the sudden contact.

"...I know that if I do this, my life will never be the same. The normal life I lived from my home will be over…" I said, looking her right in the eye. "But if I can help you, even if it's just a little, I'll be happy. So, I'll become your Driver. All I ask is…will you honor me by being my Blade?"

If Pyra wasn't embarrassed before, I think the heat glowing in her cheeks as well as the joyous smile on her face were telling enough. "Thank you, Nero. And yes, I will become your Blade." This time, the light from her Core Crystal grew. "Now place your hand over my crystal."

Unlike Rex, who would normally be surprised and maybe a little nervous when doing this, I didn't hesitate. My fingers brushed against the glowing emerald stone…

…and I felt strength fill my body once more.


When I awoke once more, I found myself standing on the strange altar that had once been the jagged red blade. Only now, I wielded it- No, I wielded her in my hand.

My eyes traced down to the center of my chest and I could see the X-shaped Core Crystal shining behind the dark grey fabric of my shirt.

Looking up, I noticed Pyra's stasis capsule missing. Which means the bastards that killed me had taken her. But with this new power, I'll get there in a flash and-

*Splash*

I paused. Looking down, I noticed a puddle of red liquid. Blood. But…there was so much of it. Why is… My gaze landed on the source of the blood. A body laid on the floor near the entrance of the altar. It looked like a boy…dressed in a blue diver suit.

Oh God… It's Rex! My feet had already moved on their own as I crouched beside the boy and pressed two fingers on his neck to check for a pulse. He had a wound on his chest, a stab wound. Like the one he would receive from Jin. Please, for all that is good don't tell me…

…I felt nothing. No pulse. I heard no release of air.

Rex is…dead…

He…

He didn't…

HE DIDN'T DESERVE THIS!

My anger overtook me as the flames from Pyra's elemental power surrounded me. A roar escaped my throat as I swung the Aegis Sword upward, tearing through layers of steel plate decks as I used my newly-obtained agility to leap through the hole I created and landed on the main deck of the ship.

"You?!" I heard a feminine gasp of surprise and…relief? My gaze went to the speaker and realized that it was Nia along with her Blade, Dromarch. Much as I wish to make a snarky remark, I only had one target on my mind.

"You!" I heard another voice, this one shell-shocked. My eyes locked on to a man decked out in dark armor, Malos. "And that sword. Can't be!"

However, my gaze locked onto the masked man behind him. Jin, the leader of Torna. The phantom pain from my wound burned. The rage I felt at seeing him. At what he did to Rex…

"You should've gone for the head." I spat, holding the Aegis Sword as the flames erupted from the blade. "But this isn't about me… I'm gonna pay you back for killing that kid, you masked bastard! Pyra!"

"Here!" I heard her voice behind me.

"Cover me!"

"Right!"

With that said, I charged at the source of my burning rage. I didn't care about anything else at the moment. I wanted to kill him. Kill Jin and make him pay!

'BLOCK!'

Instincts warned me on time as I brought up my sword to block the Sword Tonfa of Malos. "Sorry, kid." He said with a smirk then pushed me back with his strength. "I can't let the likes of you just claim her power for yourself."

I landed on my feet and glared at Malos. I couldn't care less about him. He's getting in the way. I don't like that.

"This is as far as it-"

"Shut the fuck up and get out of my fucking way!" I snarled, launching at the man to swing the Aegis Sword at his neck. I cursed under my breath when he blocked the attack but I didn't let that stop me. I threw out a punch, grinning savagely when I heard my fist impact his cheek and sending him a few feet back. I didn't have a fighting style and I had no sense to believe I could stand up to Malos but when it came down to it, I'll use anything I have to win a fight. Even if I have to sacrifice a limb! My assault continued, barrage after barrage of slashes were thrown out at my enemy but each was either blocked or avoided.

"Give it a rest, Malos! Can't you see he's got no fighting experience?!" I heard Nia shout.

Our blades locked, Malos even looked at Nia in anger, "No fighting experience? Don't make me-"

"Don't ignore me!" I shouted, throwing my head out, slamming my cranium into his face. I heard a nasty crack as Malos backstepped, holding his face.

"Urgh! You bastard! You broke my nose!" He glared at me, hatefully. Blood seeped between his fingers. "Someone like you as the Aegis's Driver… DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH!" All pretense of his normal attitude had dropped as he lunged at me, slashing his Sword Tonfa with all the ferocity of a wild tiger. It was a struggle just to keep him from killing me but my movements and reaction speed weren't as refined as his. A few nicks and scratches appeared on my skin and clothing.

"I said, get the fuck out of my-" I was about to shout before Malos's boot struck my chest. The force sent me flying before my body landed on the deck. Damn, that hurt! I think he cracked a few of my ribs. I'm gonna need some serious-

"You're done!" I heard a different voice. When I looked up, I saw an X-shaped blast of energy coming right at me.

"Son of a-!" I was about to curse until Pyra appeared in front of me. She held out her hands and a barrier appeared around us, blocking the attack. "Thanks a lot, Pyra."

"You're welcome." Pyra said, sounding just as kind even though we were in the middle of a fight for our lives. "Now, don't let up!"

I popped my neck, twirling the Aegis Sword in my right hand. "Never planned to!" I exclaimed, lunging forward while my Blade partner followed me. Malos's Blade, Sever, threw out energy blade slashes at us. Pyra took the lead, projecting her barrier to shield us, this gave me a clear opening to attack the bastards. As I swung my weapon, forcing the duo back, I shouted at the Salvagers that watched us. "All of you, run now! Get away from here!" I didn't stop to see if they fled, I merely kept up my attack. The man flipped away from me while his Blade threw back his weapon. He was about to use it to-

"Nero!" I heard Pyra's voice beside me. Even though she didn't say anything else, I could already tell what she was thinking.

"Let's do it!" I shouted as she and I leapt in the air, both our hands grasping the Aegis Sword. I felt the power flow throughout my body before it gathered in the blade. The flames of Pyra intermingled with my own rage, forming a blade of pure fiery wrath. Lifting the weapon high above our heads, we roared in unison.

"BURNING SWORD!"

Then as we came down upon Malos, a brilliant explosion ripped around us from the impact.

Unfortunately, the bastard managed to block our attack with some help from his Blade. But the anger in his eyes remained.

"You…" He growled. "How could somebody like you…?! Ah, but those eyes. I can see the fury in them." He smirked and in an instant, Pyra had brought me back just as Malos swung his hand at my chest, dangerously close to the Core Crystal. When we landed, we were facing off against Malos and Sever.

"Pyra, stay close to me." I told my Blade partner.

"Right." She nodded.

"Come on, punk! Show me how strong you are!" Malos taunted as he lunged at me.

"With pleasure!" I roared, lunging in turn and clashing my weapon against his.

"Tell me something. Do you even know any Arts?" Malos inquired.

I paused. Truth be told, I didn't know anything. I've never fought so seriously in my life.

"I thought so." He smirked. "Allow me to show you the difference in our skills!" With that, he knocked me back then went on the assault. "Sword Strike!" In the next second, he suddenly punched me in the face and I had to hastily bring up the Aegis Sword to block his Sword Tonfa, but it still knocked me back.

"Nero!" Pyra was beside me in an instant. "Are you okay?"

"I'm alright. I've just…never seen an Art before." I told her, regaining my posture. "Just how am I supposed to compete with that?"

"Nero, remember, the Arts should come naturally to you. Focus the image of an Arts in your mind and it will guide you." Pyra explained.

Focus…the image?

I closed my eyes and imaged what I thought my own Arts would look like. I remembered watching an anime that had certain characters utilize range attacks with their swords. A particular character from one of my favorite series came to mind and the image stuck. My eyes shot open and my body moved of its own accord, flames gathered around the blade I held in my hands.

"Strike Fire!" I roared, thrusting the Aegis Sword forward and releasing a blast of fire that collided with Malos, who cried out in pain. "Holy shit, it worked!"

"Nero, focus!" Pyra told me, snapping out of my thoughts.

"Spiral Savate!" Malos suddenly exclaimed, spin slashing in the air and cutting my shirt as well as my chest.

"Agh! Damn!" I cursed, stepping back as the cuts on my chest bled. "Oh, you motherfucker! This was my favorite shirt!" It cost me a lot of money to get this shirt too.

"You should be worried more about your life rather than a shirt, punk!" Malos spat, continuing his assault.

"Bring it, old man!" I snarled, feeling out an Arts. The image of a particular character from one of my favorite fighting games. I felt the flames of the Aegis Sword gathering around my left hand. "In fact, have a taste of the Hungry Wolf's power! Burn Knuckle!" I dashed towards Malos, ducking under his swing before punching him in the gut, knocking him back into his Blade, flames from the punch actually exploded too, dealing significant damage to his armor.

I heard Malos click his tongue, "Damn, I actually felt that one." He muttered.

"Want some more? I got plenty to show you!" I taunted, bringing up the Aegis Sword.

"Don't get cocky with me!" Malos snarled, dusting himself off. "You can't possibly hope to master the Aegis Blade!"

"Watch me." I challenged him, getting into a stance.

"Heh, you're just like that brat. Cocky as hell. Didn't really help him in the end." Malos taunted.

My anger surged once more when he callously talked about Rex's fate. "FUCK YOU!" I roared, feeling the flames of my rage surging in the sword which I swung under, sending a wave of fire at Malos. Unfortunately, his damn Blade managed to intercept it after he gave the walking Sangheili reject his tonfa sword.

"Hah! Not only cocky, but weak too!"

"Don't you dare look down on me!" I shouted, swinging the sword again and sending another wave of fire.

"What's the matter, punk? You mad that the brat bit the dust? Or rather, are you mad at your own weakness?" The bastard kept taunting me.

At that point, I saw red. Not Pyra, but rather the color in my vision. Have you ever been so angry in your life that when it's bottled up it just…explodes? That's what I felt at that moment. All I wanted in the end…

…was to see Malos die.

"Burn!" I roared, feeling an image from a particular move used by one of the edgier characters I've known in my life. "INFERNO SPIKE!" And with a slash of the Aegis Sword, the blade literally carved a path in the metal, a giant wave of white-hot fire blasted towards Malos and Sever.

"WHAT?!" Malos gawked. Sever got in front of him and tried to block the white-hot flames, but that was a big mistake on his part. How? Look no further than the flames suddenly enveloping his entire being. And the blood curdling scream when the flames were roasting his flesh.

When the flames cleared, Malos was behind Sever, who looked like an alien burn victim. It's actually amazing he was still able to stand. Malos suffered a few burns as well but none like his Blade.

The man panted heavily while his Blade dropped on one knee, forcing himself not to scream in agony. "You're good, punk. It's no simple feat to control the Aegis like that…" Malos offered me that bit of praise with something hinting respect. But he could stow that praise, I was already running at him in an effort to end this. The rage clouding my vision still affected my senses, so I didn't notice the orb of violet flame gathering in his empty palm. "However…" When I swung the Aegis Sword over his head, he stopped it with just that palm then proceeded to drive his knee into my gut.

"Grk!" I gagged from the impact before I was thrown over Malos, landing roughly on the deck, momentarily dropping my weapon.

"Nero!" I heard Pyra's voice cry for me.

Dammit… l was so close…

"Don't get cocky, you little shit!" Malos spat.

I don't know what happened next but there was a brief flash of light and suddenly I had a giant white tiger in front of me. Dromarch…? That means-

"Get out of the way, Nia!" I heard Malos yell. "Have you gone mad?!"

"You're the one off your nut, wailing on a civilian!" Nia shouted.

"So what?!" Malos spat, bringing his hand up to his broken nose and resetting it without a flinch. "Do you understand how precarious your position is right now?"

"I get it, but-"

"You're starting to piss me off!"

"Oh piss off, ya bastard!" I growled, slowly getting up from the ground. "Either way, you're going to die, and I'm gonna make sure to paint your body red in your own blood!"

"Big words from a weakling." Malos taunted and was about to attack until Pyra came in, retrieving the Aegis Sword and fighting against him with far more grace than me.

"Pyra…" I grunted, holding my aching stomach. I could see the two locked in combat. Malos seemed to be speaking to her but I could hear what he was saying. It might be from their past battles 500 years ago.

Still, if this is nearing the end of the first chapter…

"Nia!" I shouted at the feline-looking girl.

"Huh?" She looked at me.

"The hole I blasted my way out of! Dive in there and get Rex's body!"

"What?" Nia gasped incredulously.

"Just do it!" I snapped.

Needing no further encouragement, Dromarch took off faster than I could blink and had already disappeared through the cooling hole I made in the deck. At least if we bring Rex's body, Gramps will have closure. For now, my focus should be centered on-

*BOOOOM!*

An explosion struck the area that Pyra had landed. Shit, the airship!

"Pyra!" I called out, running towards the smoke as Pyra landed on her side with a yelp, curling up in momentary pain as I held her in my arms. "Are you okay?"

"Mm, more or less…" She said softly before we both looked ahead, staring at the dark surface of a battleship with its firepower locked fully on us.

"I think we should get out of here." I suggested it to my partner.

"But where can we-" Pyra was interrupted when Dromarch landed in front of us.

"That's enough!" Nia cried out, glaring at the ship. I noticed Rex's body slumped on Dromarch. The missile launchers on the battleship fired but the tiger Blade roared, summoning a barrier powerful enough to hold off the assault.

I heard Nia cry out when the force of the explosions sent her flying…over the edge of the ship!?

"Fuck, Nia!" I exclaimed, running with all the speed I could manage in order to catch her before she tumbled to her death. I didn't have Rex's Anchor Shot, so speed and agility were key to saving her life.

"Nero!" Pyra called out.

Come on, legs! Ruuuuuun! Use your leg muscles!

Dammit! She's gonna fall! I won't make it!

An image of a certain strawberry entered my mind. Yes, I needed something that made me faster. I needed to be faster!

"Flash Step!" I screamed the technique loudly. My next step jolted me forward towards Nia's unconscious form. Barely managing to catch with one arm before gravity reared its ugly head and I had to grab on to the edge of the ship.

*POP!*

A cry of pain ripped its way out of my throat when I felt the inertia of grabbing hold of solid ground, nearly yanking my arm out of its socket. Nia was held close but dangled uselessly in my only functional arm.

Fuck! Now would be a good time for a deus ex machina!

"You're a tough one, punk, but there's only one way this can end!" I heard Malos speaking above me. I didn't really feel the need to shout back because I was trying to keep myself and my unconscious compatriot from falling to our doom.

This time the guns on the ship were locking onto me. Fuck, fuck, fuck! This can't be how I die! Not yet! Not now!

However, the battleship was hit with explosions. And that could only mean-

"Gramps!" I shouted happily in relief as the Titan that helped raise Rex flew past the ships. Never would I be so glad to see Azurda than I am now. I felt the derelict rocking as the Titan unleashed a barrage of fireballs on the deck.

"Get on, kids!" I heard him shouting, not only at me but also at Pyra and Dromarch.

"Nero!" I heard Pyra call out to me as she held out her hand to me. I planted my feet on the surface, keeping a firm grip on Nia before kicking off to grab my Blade partner's hand. Thankfully, she pulled us on to Dromarch's back as he leapt off the ship and landed on Azurda's own back.

"We're going! Hold on tight!" The old Titan told us.

"Azurda, you need to fly faster or that ship will-" I tried to warn him but the battleship had already started firing, hitting the old Titan. Azurda grunted from the cannon fire but kept flying until we made it out of their range.

Well, at least we managed to…

Oh, right. Adrenaline is starting to wear off and I didn't realize how tired I was.

"Hey, Pyra…?" I said, leaning on her back, my head resting on her shoulder.

"Yes, Nero?" She spoke, her voice soft and gentle. It felt nice.

"I'm…feeling tired…" I said, fighting back a yawn and failing. "You don't mind…if I…close my eyes…"

"Not at all." Pyra replied with a light giggle.

"Good. Cause I need to pass out." I said, before-

*PLOP!*

My world went black.


(3rd POV)

"Well, that could have gone better." Malos frowned, watching the Titan flee. "Should we go after them?"

"No. We have other things to attend to. After all, the Aegis is awakened." Jin told his comrade. "Strange to see Sever receive such devastating wounds."

Malos clicked his tongue in annoyance, "The punk seemed to have some decent control over the Aegis. The attacks he used were pretty strong too."

"Never make assumptions of your foe, Malos. It leads to defeat." Jin reprimanded.

"Yes, Jin…" Malos grunted. "So what's our next move?" He asked.

"For now, we continue with the plan. We'll have Akhos follow after them. In the meantime, there is something we need to understand." Jin stated. "For instance, how did that man appear in the chamber of the Aegis?'

"What do you mean?"

"There was only one way inside. And yet, he just happened to be in the middle of it all. Does that not strike you as…suspicious?"

"Does it really matter?"

"Yes it does…" Jin glared at him.

"Why?"

"Because we do not know where this random man came from. He appeared seemingly out of nowhere." Jin stated. "That is why I find it suspicious."

Malos narrowed his eyes. "Will he be a threat?"

"At present, no." Jin answered before his hand gripped the handle of his Blade. "But he is now the Driver of the Aegis. There is no telling how dangerous he could be."

"So the plan is still in place?"

"Yes. This will not deter us in the slightest. We proceed on schedule."


A/N: That's the end of the first chapter. Hopefully, I did the game justice because there aren't a lot of Xenoblade Chronicles stories.

Nero doesn't really have a set fighting style. It's rather unorthodox.

His Arts are rather simple since they are based on moves used by certain characters. Here are his current moves:

Strike Fire: Based on Saber's Strike Air technique

Burn Knuckle: Based on Terry Bogard's Burn Knuckle attack

Inferno Spike: Bases on Ragna the Bloodedge's Dead Spike move

He'll have more when he uses different Blades but for now, they're fire-based.

Review and comment on this chapter. Love it, hate it, but just know that you've read it.

Peace out, everyone!