Deep Talk about Ones' Own War
Everyone went into one of the tents to give each other some checkups to make sure they aren't hurt too badly, and luckily some only came out with little scratches though Rex and Pyra got hurt a bit more but nothing serious.
"Okay, everyone has been checked and everything is A-okay." Ymir reported.
"Glad to hear that. Even though there was more of us in that fight, that Akhos guy was still a tough guy along with that Blade of his." Rana stated.
"That just shows how skilled and strong Akhos is, and why we should be careful the next time we see him." Nia said.
"But friends still won, Pyra not taken." Tora pointed out.
"That still doesn't mean we should let our guard down, Akhos will find a way to make the disadvantage we have him into his advantage. That smartness is what also makes him dangerous." Nia explained that part.
"It looks like you lots are looking okay now." Vandham said walking into the room with Roc.
"Yeah, we're not badly hurt though I was thinking of resting for while wouldn't hurt." Rex said as he and Rana walks up to the large man.
"That's good to hear. Even after you won a battle, a warrior must never go seek out another unless his body is fully ready to keep on fighting." Vandham advised.
Rex nods from this though started to look a little sad as he looks down on the floor which Rana was the first to notice this, aside from Vandham.
"Something wrong, Rex?" Rana asked.
"Well, I guess I was worried that I might've end up used too much power in that fight, but I'm glad that wasn't the case." Rex explained.
"Hey, Rex?" Vandham said getting the boy's attention.
"Know what the difference between me and that Akhos fella?" Vandham asked.
"Well, he's a bad guy, trying to get Pyra for bad things and… you're not?" Rex tried to answer though little confuse of himself now.
"What are you looking confuse about? Vandham is a great guy, almost like a dad." Rana pointed out.
"That's the word I would use." Risty smirked.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, kids." Vandham chuckled scratching the back of his head, but then got back to looking a little serious to Rex and Rana.
"What if I told you that we weren't that different?" Vandham asked which confuses the brothers.
"My crew at the village, we think we're fighting for justice. But a just fight? I'm tellin' you now, there's no such thing. What people call justice? It's just an excuse to fight. War is war." Vandham stated as the brothers continue to listen deeply.
"The more you stand up for yourself, the more people wanna fight you. Before you know it, you're in a war." Vandham said.
"Sounds like fighting is just gonna keep on happening no matter what." Rana said looking sad.
"It's hard. But listen, all I'm saying is we got our fight, and he got his." Vandham stated.
"But what he's doing is—" Rex was about to point out of Akhos being bad, but Vandham continues.
"Yeah, it's had, but war ain't about right and wrong. Power, that's all it is. And power can take many different forms. It depends on the heart of its wielder. If we don't use our power, just 'cos we're scared of it, we're don't for. As for who's right and who's wrong… No one knows for sure." Vandham explained of how tough wars can be.
"So, all we can do is protect what's important." Vandham finished his lesson for the boys.
The brothers look at each other for a moment thinking about what Vandham just said feeling like they may understand this, they turn to see everyone else of the group talking among themselves.
"We all got our own war, kids." Vandham said.
"Our own…" Rex paused.
"War." Rana finished that sentence, seeing what's important to him and soft of understand this, but know he still has some growing to do.
(Later)
Vandhamn is seen talking with his men about what happened with that Akhos guy and just order them to be on high alert in case more enemies come into their home, the men nodded and went to their post for guard duties.
"You appear to be busy." Cattleya commented as she walks up to him.
"Yeah, that's the perk of being a leader of a whole lots like them." Vandham shrugged.
"I was just going to ask the chef about tonight's dinner, that I could help make some for everyone. I have cooking experience given I had to feed two boys and a Titan." Cattleya informed.
"Well now, I'm sure it'll taste better than what we're use to fighting." Vandham chuckled.
"I also wanted to come by and thank you for talking with Rex and Rana." Cattleya thanked which surprises the mercenary man a little.
"Oh, hey now, that's a bit sudden." Vandham joked a little.
"So, did you hear what I was telling them?" Vandham asked.
"Not all of it, but it did look like you were telling them something important in life such as how fighting just happens. At least that's what I can guess." Cattleya answered as she shook her head.
"But I believe that was something they needed to hear from an experience man who's been in constant war, and I'm glad he turned out to be you." Cattleya smiled.
"Now you're making me blush." Vandham grinned.
"They really look up to you, almost like the father they never had. Something they could turn to when they feel a bit lost." Cattleya said as she walks away.
"A father, heh. Not the first time I heard of being called like that." Vandhman chuckled to himself.
(The Next Day)
Everyone woke up together getting their gears on as they are ready for a new day such as trying to find a way up to the World Tree, and then Pyra came up to Rex.
"Good morning, how are you feeling, Rex?" Pyra asked.
"Doing great, how are you?" Rex asked back.
"Never better." Pyra nodded.
"Good, glad to hear." Rex smiled, looking very relief that his partner is fine after that battle yesterday.
"He's acting like she was in a coma or something." Risty commented.
"Ah, to be young and love." Swan giggled teasing the boy a bit.
Hearing this causes Rex to blush from this as he wanted to deny what they said though couldn't help himself when he saw Pyra right in front of him.
"Also, Nia's got something to talk to you about." Pyra informed.
"She does?" Rex surprised a bit as he looks towards Nia.
"Yes. Go ahead, Nia." Pyra said to the cat girl.
Nia becomes a little nervous about doing this and hope that she wouldn't have to drag Rex into her mess more than she already had, but she knew this is something she has couldn't ignore for long and now there are even more people involved in the Torna mess as well. She took a quick breath and spoke.
"I… Rex… I want you to come help me." Nia said.
"Come where?" Rex confused.
"To Vandham. I need to tell him about my past with Akhos and all that lot." Nia explained a bit more.
"Ah sure. If you like to me, I will." Rex nodded.
"And we'll come to for extra support." Cattleya volunteered with Rana nodding.
"Thanks." Nia thanked, feeling relief of this.
"Nia originally said she was going to go alone, but I said maybe it'd be better if you went along too." Pyra explained.
"Let me guess, the old man scares you shit?" Risty asked.
"Not in that sort of way… But he does scare me a bit." Nia admitted.
"Yeah, he can be like that, but he's a stupidly soft teddy bear under all that toughness." Risty laughed a little.
The group went out of the tent-house making their way to find Vandham standing at the outdoor camping spot, the man himself notice the group coming.
"Oh, it's you guys. What got you out of bed so early?" Vandham asked.
"Nia says she wants to talk with you." Rana revealed.
"Does she now?" Vandham looked towards Nia as she steps a little closer to him.
"Thanks for yesterday. You saved our skins." Nia started off with a thank you.
"That guy, Akohs, I mean… I wanted to tell you about him, you see…" Nia hoped that Vandham doesn't think less of her once she tells him this.
"Being a mercenary, you meet all kindas different folks. Your country, family, money. People fot plenty of reasons to fight. Like fightin' for a special girl, I see that a lot. Though not every girl has a strange crystal in her chest, eh?" Vandham teased a bit.
"Y-You mean Pyra. I, umm…" Rex blushed from that.
"I'm not doing my best for mom." Rana stated, also blushing. Cattleya and Azurda chuckles of seeing their boys like that.
"Nia, you're with these guys right now. That's what matters." Vandham smiled.
"But… aren't you…?" Nia couldn't believe this man is willing to accept her just like that even though he may already know she was part of Torna, the very group who hurt many of his friends.
"Just take it like a woman and stand strong." Risty patted hard on Nia that she almost fell over.
"Anyway, Rex, Rana, weren't you saying you wanted to get to Elysium?" Vandham asked.
"Yeah, but we hit a snag…" Rex answered.
"A giant metal monster is blocking our way. Pyra seem to know about it, calling it Ophion, and tries to get it to listen but it just kept attacking us until we ran into the mouth of the Titan." Rana explained.
"I can only guess that being the Aegis Blade, she would have no problem controlling that sea metal monster, but it looks like things have change for 500 years." Risty said.
"I'm sorry, Ophion should've attack us when I was there. Something must've happened to it." Pyra apologized.
"There's no need to apologize for things that are beyond our control, but let's listen to what Vandham was about to say." Cattleya said getting back to Vandham.
"Right. Well, I've got an old mate in the Urayan capital. Got a feeling he might know a way through." Vandham mentioned.
"Really?!" Rana and Rex shocked to hear this, suddenly bursting of new hope of getting to Elysium.
"Yeah, I gotta go there anyhow, so I could introduce you." Vandham said.
"That's awesome!" Rana cheered.
"Thank you!" Rex thanked with a bright smile.
"Nah! It's destiny or something, don't sweat it." Vandham smiled a bit.
"Get your stuff together and meet me by the village entrance." Vandham ordered before he and Roc went out to the village entrance.
"Our quest is now looking brighter!" Rana commented.
"Hmm, I wonder if he's talking about that man." Risty guessed.
"In the capital, that could very well be the case." Swan said.
"What are you two talking about?" Agate asked.
"Don't worry, you guys will know soon enough." Risty chuckled as she and Swan went back to get some supplies for the trip.
"Alright, now things are starting to look our way!" Rex smirked.
"I'm happy to hear that, hopefully this guy can tell us how to avoid Ophion." Pyra smiled.
"We better get packing before heading out." Cattleya said.
Everyone made their way back to the tent-house gathering all their things and pick up a few things for the trip with Risty. Once the packing is done, the party group made their way to the village entrance where Vandham and few other men are waiting for them.
"Ah, you all ready then? Good, let's be sure to stay together throughout this trip, there's a lot of things that could really hurt ya." Vandham advised.
"Right." Rex nodded.
"You got it." Rana agreed.
"Time to head out. Yew, Zuo! Take care of this place, yeah?" Vandham commanded.
"Nae worries, Leave it to us, Boss." Yew nodded.
"Boss, you're in a good mood somehow." Zuo noticed the boss's face is looking a little more brighten than before.
"I guess so. Well, take care." Vandham chuckled scratching the back of his head before turning to the outside of the village.
Vandham and the group leaves the village as the men see them off to a new adventure and this one is about going to meet an old friend, one that could help Rex's group find a way up to the World Tree and making their way to Elysium to help Pyra and the world itself.
But unknown to them, the group is being watch by three hooded people watching them very carefully from a distance and behind a large rock.
"Is that them?" One hooded figure asked with a female voice.
"I believe so, saw the Blade with the emerald core crystal and red hair." The second one, being a guy, nodded.
"They say his Driver is a blue-armored salvager kid, but there's two of them." The other female hooded figure noticed the two boys.
"I think the taller one is the Driver, but we'll know for sure once we cut them off." The male hooded figure said and the three sneak their way following the group.
(Somewhere, Titan Cargo Ship)
Within the cargo ship that was heading for Indol, Jin is making quick work with all the people on the ship such as crew members along with the Mor Ardain soldiers and Drivers with their Blade, but they all fell by the deadly swiftness of his sword.
Jin makes his way to one room that he came for, killing the Drivers and sending their Blades back into their core Crystal form, and went inside to see lots of glowing Core Crystals waiting for their new Drivers to awaken them.
Jin took a moment for himself thinking of his past a little, then wasted no time in taking the Core Crystals and sending the cargo Titan down into the cloud sea.
(Back with Rex's Group)
The group is continuing their travel for the Urayan capital though Rana appears to have a little back pain.
"Man, that Tomlok Anlood sure had a strong charge." Rana commented.
"I told you not to be careful not to let it get behind you." Risty shrugged.
"Don't worry, we beat the thing and got revenge for your back." Rex stated.
"Yeah, I guess that's one good thing that came out of that fight." Rana chuckled.
"I bet you and your Aegis Blade would've taken it out easily." Rana teased Rex a little.
Suddenly the group stop upon hearing a loud laughing voice as they guard up.
"Looks like all the chat about the Aegis was true!" A man's voice said seemingly echo around the group.
"Who're you?" Rex asked.
"Hold on, I think I know that voice. Zeke, is that you? You fucking asshole!" Risty called out angry.
"Well, well, I didn't I run into you again, Risty." The hooded man smirked as he and the other two walk up to them and remove their hoods.
The one called Zeke is a tall and muscular man with short and spiky dark gray hair. He has an eyepatch covering their left eye. He wears a long black coat that he tends to leave open, exposing his chest, with armor over his knees and shoulders. He also wears black gloves that cover his forearms, and black/mint green boots.
"So, you know this guy?" Vandham asked.
"I had the unfortune of running into this bastard several times on the jobs I do like going after this bounty that had a big money and he got in the way." Risty explained about this guy.
"Oh yeah, he also has those two Blades Pandoria and Aldra." Risty mentioned the other two.
"I didn't think a brute like you would remember our names." Pandoria mocked a little.
Pandoria is a young woman with short green hair, green eyes and pointed ears. Her appearance recalls the steampunk style, with big glasses, a small hat, electric bulbs in place of shoulders and a bulb tail. She wears a striped, gray waistcoat, frilled shorts and long gloves and boots. Her glasses are initially opaque but clear as the story progresses. Her Core Crystal shaped like a circuit board, but with a triangle cut out of it. Breasts sizes: D-cup.
"Hello Risty! Swan! You two are looking very great today!" Aldra greeted friendly.
Aldra appears to be a young woman with long silver-blonde hair with red eyes. She wears a red cat ear-like headband, a white apron with a red ribbon wrapped around the middle, and on her left arm she wears a golden full-length armguard and, on her right, a red sleeve. On her legs she wears white thigh-high boots, with red diamond designs. She wears light purple lace panties. Breasts sizes: EE-cup.
"That one looks friendly." Pyra commented.
"Whatever you want, Zeke, you're gonna have to take a raincheck and move away." Risty glared.
"Sorry Risty, but I've come here for a special Blade!" Zeke smirked pointing his sword at Pyra.
KO a new chapter is done and hope you all enjoy it!
Rex and Rana's group were on their way to the Urayan capital to meet this old friend of Vandham that could help them with a way up the World Tree, but it looks like someone has gotten in their way and Risty doesn't want to see him any longer than a second.
KO comment, favorite, and follow through of how this story will go!