The research into the weapon's functions was a little less swift than Nero would have wanted, but he'd take it.
Cid knew what he was doing, and this wasn't the first imperial war machine he had the pleasure of exploring, and this also meant that he acted carefully. Before Biggs and Wedge arrived at the scene, Nero and Cid focused on clearing out the space around the weapon. Soldiers helped with some of the worst placed rubble, and most citizens had no desire to return to this quarter of Ala Mhigo, or its ruins, at least. This would give the ironworks time to see what the new garlean invention was truly capable of.
The electrical defenses planted in the Ruby Weapon still worked, and Cid assigned Nero, Biggs, and Wedge to deal with this. Looking through the wires trying to find the few right ones weren't the most job, but it was necessary to get to the cockpit.
Meanwhile, Cid connected a terminal to the Ruby Weapon, a device that would hopefully extract the code and unveil some information about its functions.
While Biggs and Wedge worked around the weapon's leg and Cid tried to extract the code, Nero couldn't help but admire the design of this weapon. The original looked menacing enough, but this one looked like a demon risen from the depths of the seventh hell.
"Whoever thought of this design must have a vivid imagination…Or a sad childhood." - Nero said as he walked beside the weapon.
"As useful as this insight is, how about you help and do something worthy of a "great inventor"?" - Cid proposed with some annoyance as he dealt with the terminal; it seemed that the extraction was not going as smoothly as planned.
"Just appreciating someone else's work. You should too, by the way. Look at that face, frozen in a constant state of grim and anger…Reminds me of you, Garlond."
Cid let out a quiet grunt before focusing on his work once again.
"Hey, Nero, we need you!" - Wedge called the garlean to his side.
"What now?"
"I think we found the spot. We just need to shut down electricity for a moment." - Biggs explained.
"And you need me because…"
"Oh, come on, we were told what you did during the battle, just one more time." - Wedge beckoned him. Nero felt rather appreciated by this need and gave in.
"Fine, fine, you have convinced me, I suppose." - Nero took his hammer before unleashing another wave into the Ruby weapon's skeleton. This gave Wedge a moment to disable the defense systems, the electrical waves to end.
"I hope you haven't trashed those completely…We might still need this bucket later on." - The garlean said.
"Nah, it's not permanent; we can reinstall it." - Biggs assured.
"I wouldn't be so sure about using it, though." - Cid shook his head. "At the very least, not without being very careful."
"Always here to ruin the mood…Do you want the next assault to finish this city off completely, or are you actually going to do something?" - Nero was disappointed. "Have you gathered anything that might actually warrant your fears?"
"Not yet, but I have an idea." - Cid looked up the open cockpit of the weapon. "Do we have a ladder or something?"
"Of course, chief." - Biggs nodded. "Are you going in there?"
"If we open those functions up from the cockpit, we might get more info on them." - Cid proposed to Nero's disappointment.
"So is using it too dangerous or just fine?"
"I will try my best not to activate anything. It's not my year working with machines like this."
"How about I do it, then? I'm sure I could bring the dedication no other soul can…" - Nero hoped to get his hands on the weapon shamelessly, and Cid just kept him bloody waiting.
"If there is any chance I activate the weapon and cause some damage with you, it's about thrice as high." - Cid said, invoking Nero's anger, but he was still content to wait.
When the ladder was brought, the engineers watched Cid climb the ladder into the cockpit. The more extreme part of Nero's consciousness was hoping for him to mess up, activating some of its more destructive protocols; Scaeva would make sure that Cid heard no end to his jokes if that happened. But on the other hand, considering that Nero, Biggs, and Wedge were the most likely to get annihilated in this case…No, maybe he'd rather not.
Cid's plan bore some results, however. He managed to activate the weapon's basic systems. Nero could see the energy emerging from underneath its Ruby wings, but not enough to actually make it fly. Its eyes were glowing, increasing the menacing aura this machine gave off. Conversely, the terminal began to be filled with information. One by one, the texts and images emerged, too much to keep track of.
"You did it, chief; we got them!" - Wedge said exclaimed, hoping that Cid would get to hear them.
"Does he get to see all of this inside?" - Nero wondered.
"I imagine so." - Biggs confirmed. Nero walked to the terminal to take a look at the results. Rockets, earthquakes, the summoning of sand, exceptionally high velocity and powerful armor, electrical protection…
One element, however, was far more notable. Out of all that the terminal presented, a peculiar image emerged from it…Nero gazed with intrigue as he witnessed the wonder for himself. It showed the Ruby Weapon undergoing some theoretical transformation, in which the pale wings rose behind its back. They appeared seemingly out of pure energy, and they were not mechanical…The weapon's claws were empowered with similar aetheric waves, and something else rose from behind the weapon's back. A demon with a woman's face, a terrifying smile rose on her face as the weapon would fume with energy, transforming into a being that could hardly be described. A mixture of mortal and machine, what in the world was this…Nero was intrigued, so intrigued that he missed Cid getting down and sharing some of his findings with Biggs and Wedge. When he did, however, there were questions he wanted to ask.
"Hey, Garlond, you might want to see this here…" - He called the senior engineer to his side to point at the image he saw. "Have you found anything concerning this right here?" - He asked with intrigue.
"This and much more…" - Cid said sternly while crossing his hands. "The weapon showed the majority of its arsenal while attacking, but there was something else, and it did not have much description. Only the function's name…Oversoul."
"Hm…Seems like a last resort to try and make that thing stronger, I'd say. Might as well try it out." - He said with sarcasm.
"It can still be turned on, you know. I found that function there, and it seems like a way to only access the last layer of data, the most encrypted part, which I couldn't see. This would presumably lead the weapon into…This state makes it much more powerful. But I wonder what happens to the pilot in this case? And can the weapon even revert if it's activated?" - Cid spoke with a troubled voice.
"Well, if we can't access the exact data, why don't we ask the pilot?" - Nero suggested.
"I'd be glad, but I gather she is not in the best condition now. Gaius could barely talk to her himself." - Cid said. "I have my suspicions that this function integrates the pilot with the weapon, merging with the data…"
"That's effectively suicide. What pilot would agree to that?" - Nero scoffed off at a possibility, only to realize that the answer to his question was worse than he imagined.
"Nero, just because you never cared for the Empire and didn't want to give your life away for it doesn't mean there weren't many men and women that would. Remember Livia?" - Cid reminded him.
"Honestly, I'd rather forget."
"Here you go. I'll work with the extraction of this data. Perhaps we'll be able to create something else from it, something with less unnecessary destruction and without this oversoul." - Cid said, and Nero had no doubt that he would be able to create another machine; this was what scared him.
"But…The weapon is still intact! We should utilize it and use it to avenge the fallen people and the ruined scenery. You wouldn't pass on an opportunity like that, Garlond!" - Truth be told, Nero didn't really care for the people of Ala Mhigo. He just wished to be in a pilot's seat. He had hoped for it ever since the original Ultima, and now the dream was within his grasp. It's not like he was going to kill innocents with it.
"And I'm not doing, I'm trying to utilize it as safe for us as possible. There is still much to learn about this weapon, and besides, it's not our call to make. I imagine Raubahn will be the one deciding."
"How very dull…"
"Nero, there are things more important than you wanting to pilot a bloody mech!" Cid parred. "The oversoul might activate automatically, and other protocols are likely to prove way more destructive than one anticipates. Remember what happened when you tried to play with powers beyond your control? You still owe me one, by the way…"
"I'm just being pragmatic, this concept is alien to you, but I lived my whole life off it. If the Alliance wants victory, here it is right before them." - Nero spoke with confidence. A powerful tool at Alliance's disposal and a new power for him to wield and explore, everyone wins. If only Garlond wasn't so conservative with his desires to minimalize the dangers. "You know…Let's settle this the way we always did. Let's see what Gaius about the weapon. With Raubahn in a coma, he is closest this damn city has for a leader, ironically enough."
"Need I remind you which side Gaius took the most often…"
"Well, this won't be one of those. He was always a pragmatist who wouldn't let this go wasted." - Nero believed in his success, as he turned away with pride and walked to seek Gaius out. He didn't even look back at Garlond. This was Nero's time to shine, and he won't allow it to be taken away from him.
...
It seemed that the only reason Gaius was allowed an audience with his daughter was that guards simply got tired of his inquires, realizing that giving in would be easier. Raubahn still has not awakened, and Gaius had to give credit where it was due; the Ala Mhigan military remained far more organized than he expected it to be. Perhaps he underestimated the "savages" once again or just became used to expecting the worst.
At least the matters of tending to their dead and wounded have made them largely forget about Milisandia. There were no incidents like the one Gaius saw at first. When he brought his daughter into the bay, nurses required no explanation; they took anyone in need of help and did their duty. Milisandia would fall into slumber, only occasionally waking up, and Gaius tried to be there as much as he could. When the wounds had been dealt with, Milisandia stabilized and was imprisoned, and here the time has come for a discussion.
Gaius wasn't allowed to speak in private, the guard would be stationed outside and listen, but this was much better than no opportunity at all. The black wolf called Valdeaulin to come with him, partly because he was a loyal companion of his, partly to "entertain" the guard outside. And so they descended into the Ala Mhigan prison, hoping to find some answers. To think that his daughter was forced to commit these atrocities…And there was no doubt in Gaius's mind that she was forced. He knew Milisandia. She would never take pleasure in decimation.
"It's her burial in a few hours. Thought you might want to come." - Valdeaulin broke the silence.
"Severa's?" - Gaius asked, not having heard anything of this before.
"Yes, they have begun the mass burials already, not even sure if there will be enough space…"
"Strange that I missed it…No matter, of course, I will be there."
"No, that strange; you seemingly forgot about the world around you after finding that girl." - Valdeaulin noted. He grieved for Severa too, and Gaius knew he was right. He was only focused on protecting his daughter, forgetting any other concerns. He just needed to make sure she was safe, that others were alive. Gaius was hoping to get those answers.
Milisandia was in one of the furthest cells, deep in the darkest and most remote corners. Perhaps he could request a transfer while at it. Gaius could hear the occasional fall of water drips and feel the unpleasant feeling of dust floating beneath his steps. The guard expected them.
"You here for the prisoner?" - He asked with distrust.
"Aye, I am Gaius Baelsar. The allowance is in my name." - The Black Wolf said as the guard sighed and opened the door. Valdeaulin stayed outside; he would hear everything they talked about from there.
As Gaius walked into the cell, he saw Milisandia sitting beside the wall, breathing and slowly recuperating. Her scar was covered in bandages, as were other wounds. When she heard Gaius's voice, she immediately raised her head in hope. Her father stood above her as the girl looked up into his eyes, trying to show any positive emotions, be it a smile or any sign of relief. But much has burdened her, too much to let go. As Gaius extended his hand, Milisandia was not eager to take it. But after looking at him once again, seeing the sorrow and understanding in Gaius's gaze, she seemed to remember the father she once had.
The au ra grabbed Gaius's hand, and the Legatus felt her warmth. He kneeled and, after making sure she felt comfortable, gave Milisandia a hug. She was caught off-guard, but it, at first, even trying to move away. But eventually, Gaius sensed her submitting to the embrace and sharing her own.
"I know words aren't enough, I really do…But I'm sorry." - She spoke quietly and with shame.
"Whoever wishes to judge you, I will not be one of them. I've done far worse without anyone forcing me to." - Gaius said with care as they separated; Milisandia seemed surprised.
"Wait, you mean you know?"
"I know you well enough. The rest is an educated guess." - Gaius said, seeing her finally show a faint smile.
"Father, why didn't you…Why didn't you return for us?" - Milisandia asked, fearing to hear the answer. "We were waiting ever since the rumors of you being alive. You should've seen Allie on that day, she was excited! I thought you would return, reinstate the XIVth, and we could carry on. What happened?" - She wasn't angry or furious, but she was upset. Had he returned, perhaps his family might have spared the pain?
"I am sorry." - Gaius looked down for a moment. "I have become too self-absorbed in my ascian hunt, swearing not to return to the Empire before I found out the truth, and I know this has cost you."
"And what about you killing the Emperor? Is that true?"
"No, it's not."
"We knew it, never believed a word. But you were there, right? What happened?"
"He was killed by his own son, Zenos, who seemed to only care for the chaos he causes. With him at the helm, I'm afraid the Empire might be seeing its last days…" - Gaius said, having to accept that his dream of a united world under garlean standard was a lie from the very beginning, and now any hopes of seeing it has been extinguished.
"We were told by our leader that we no longer answer to the Emperor…I wonder what other legati are up to."
"Better tell me what happened to you. How are others faring? Allie, Rex, Alfonse, Ricon, are they alright?" - Gaius was worried, considering what happened to Milisandia.
"They're alive, but I'm not sure about alright…None of us really were."
"What happened to you after my defeat?"
"Well, we tried to find our place in the Empire, it wasn't easy, but we remembered what you taught us." - Milisandia recounted with some fleeting pride. "We stuck together and faced the challenges head-on until being recruited by the VIIth. From there on, we were working on installations near Terncliff under their command; the others are still there."
"I imagine the Legion faced quite a reform after Meteor."
"Yes, it changed for the worse." - Milisandia said with disdain. "It has a new Legatus, Valens van Varro." - The name was familiar to Gaius. One of the eager engineers who wished to become one of his advisors but was not quite talented enough to earn the place. The last time he worked under Gaius's command was as an assistant to Nero in his magitek dealings.
"If he was the one to rise to this post, I can't imagine there being many good commanders left."
"He didn't do it by being a good commander. He did it by being a ruthless monster!" - Milisandia let out her hatred which has seemingly been kept within for quite a long time. "He takes glee in punishing his subordinates and blaming everyone but himself for failure, all while seeking power for himself, no matter how much destruction it causes. He thinks he will succeed where "Nael, Gaius and even Solus himself failed"!"
Jealousy, then…A powerful emotion, one which could cause much strife. It seemed Valens was one of those people who lost what little humanity they had to power. And his children were forced to work for him now.
"Did he hurt any of you?" - Gaius asked with concern if he learned that this maniac had caused them pain…
"Occasionally…Mostly Alfonse. He took the lead during these hard times, but this also meant taking responsibility for us all."
As strong as Gaius's disgust was, he felt proud of his eldest son. Alfonse took his advice and example to heart, becoming the big brother they needed in Gaius's absence.
"Maybe we are the lucky ones, lucky that we're still alive; he needs us." - Milisandia said; Gaius understood where this was going.
"You are the pilots for new Ultima Weapons."
"Yes, the most well trained…VIIth doesn't have many men, but Valens believes that these weapons can bring him victory. And they can…" - Her voice began to quiver. "I was the first to be given a weapon. I was supposed to destroy everything I found by the coordinates he gave me. He said it was just a military base…" - She desperately held back her tears. "When I realized I didn't know what to do, if I attack, many will die, but if I don't, Valens will hurt our family…I couldn't allow that to happen, but now they will get hurt due to my failure…It is such a mess; I should've done something!"
"It's alright." - Gaius placed a hand on her shoulder. "You were tricked and left with no choice. What's done is done. Many more could have died, including you…Better tell me about the weapons. How many are there?"
"Four. There are Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, and Diamond, but Ruby and Emerald are only complete and fully operational ones. In terms of how they work…You've seen the Ruby weapon. Destructive machines which can erase whole cities in mere minutes." - Milisandia said. "To wield such power…It feels good at first before you actually realize what you're doing. And that's not even mentioning oversoul."
"Oversoul, you say?" - This word was familiar to Gaius. "Estinien said that this was the last sequence you tried to unleash before he got you out. What is it?"
"It's Valens's most prideful invention." - Milisandia said with a reflexive shiver. "Each weapon has data of an imperial hero downloaded and merged with that of the machine. In Ruby, it was Nael Van Darnus; I don't know about the rest. Call it a "last stand" when the weapon gets damaged; the Oversoul function can bring it back to the battle twice as strong. The hero's phantom is released and creates a weapon of mass destruction. And it's irreversible."
"What happens to the pilot, then?"
"Becomes a vessel for oversoul…And then dies." - Milisandia said with dread. Gaius was surprised to learn of such horrific technology, though he should not be surprised when a maniac like Valens is behind this.
"But the weapon was hardly damaged, and it didn't seem like you yourself were in trouble. Why…" - Gaius didn't finish the question. The guilt and shame in Milisandia's eyes made the answer clear.
"Why do you think, father? Killing civilians is bad enough, but I thought I had killed you with a blast…It was just easier to end the pain here and now."
To end the pain. Gaius thought back to his defeat amidst the ruins of Praetorium. Shame has overtaken him that day, tricked by the paragon and defeated by savages, forever to remain in the annals of Imperial history as a failure. But despite all this, he decided to live. To continue his fight. The results of this decision have yet remained unclear, but Gaius would never make another choice.
"Our mistakes make us stronger. Everyone will have to die sometime…But we can try and do our best while we are alive."
"Thank you for everything…Thank you."
They were interrupted by the guard's stern voice.
"Your time is up; come on."
Gaius hugged Milisandia one last time.
"We will find a way to save others, and then we will become a family once again, once the war is over…I promise."
…
As happy as Gaius was, his reunion with Milisandia gave him much to worry about. The Legatus would not let go of the thought of Valens having his children at his disposal, taking glee in their suffering and pain. But this fear was quickly transformed into determination. Now he knew that at least they were alive and who was behind all of this. There were three more weapons without which Valens would become just another general of a fractured Empire. But an open attack would not do. Valens could use his children as hostages and bargaining chips…Perhaps disabling the weapons and freeing them would be a fit for a stealth operation. Either way, Gaius gave a promise to Milisandia, which he intended to fulfill. They would not suffer and die; he would not allow it.
"Gaius, finally!" - He heard a gleeful and slightly arrogant voice from behind soon after leaving the prison. After turning around, Gaius saw Nero, clearly eager to talk about something.
"Do you need something?" - He said distantly, still thinking of Milisandia.
"Well, Cid and I have done our job exploring the weapon's capabilities, and I have a question for you. Tried to find you for at least half-hour, and now I see you leaving the prison. You were talking to the pilot, correct?" - Nero asked with intrigue.
"Not so much with a pilot." - He was talking to his daughter. "It's Milisandia, and she was tricked into doing this."
"The girl from Werlyt? Huh…I thought our paths would never cross after the end of the XIVth. What have you learned?" - Nero noticed Gaius crossing his hands with slight disapproval. "I don't care for any "familial" business, just anything that gives us a clue on how to act next. You did discuss something useful, I hope…"
"She and others are now serving the VIIth Legion, which has a new Legatus overseeing the weapons' project, Valens Varro." - Gaius saw Nero's shocked face. The engineer tried to compose himself but quickly burst out laughing.
"Wait, what? Ah-ha-ha! That Valens? That whiny sidekick who couldn't even pilot a magitek reaper without it bumping into a wall? And he created those weapons? I'll sooner believe in pragmatic Garlond than talented Varro!" - Nero could not take this seriously, to some annoyance on Gaius's part. This situation was not a laughing matter.
"Not without help, I imagine."
"I don't doubt that…At least the invention is of some merit. We discovered a function that would transform the weapon into something more powerful and majestic, even. The energy formation in the form of a pale woman with wings…"
"Nael van Darnus." - Gaius corrected him.
"Now that you say it…She did look like White Raven, but how do you know?"
"Milisandia told me about it, the oversoul. A way to merge the pilot with the weapon and installed data of other imperial heroes. A one-time procedure that empowers the weapon and then annihilates everything. The weapon, the pilot, anyone unlucky enough to be close."
"So that's…Yes, now it makes sense!" - Nero said with pride which Gaius did not share.
"You had a question for me, I take it?"
"Ah, yes. You see, Garlond is rather indecisive when it comes to using this weapon for our common goal. With the Ruby under our control, we can take out Varro and his legion. Maybe this wouldn't work with other weapons, but it will with his soldiers. I propose we take it and utilize it to the fullest extent, and he wants to create something safer. Surely you…"
"The Ruby weapon is far too dangerous for pilots and its victims. We have already sacrificed enough, and using it will be too risky." - Too risky for his children, that is. Valens will punish them swiftly if this attack comes; perhaps he will even kill some of them. They needed to act cautiously.
"W…what?" - Nero seemed angered. "After all this, and still you take Garlond's side? Even when it's pure irrational cowardice? Gaius I knew would never…"
"There are other ways to achieve victory. Using this weapon will only prompt those under the VIIth's protectorate to believe that we are no better than Valens. And he will be sure to use it in strengthening his power."
"He won't even have time to do this, not when he is annihilated!"
"With three more weapons at his disposal? I doubt that. Explore the weapon further, but do not use it without allowance from both Raubahn and me." - Gaius commanded.
"But it's…"
"Is that clear?"
"Yes…" - Nero said with utter disappointment. "We didn't conquer Ala Mhigo by being soft and cautious, Gaius. Just remember that," - The engineer said before leaving. Gaius wasn't in the mood for his antics; giving Nero what he wanted may cost countless lives. Perhaps he will understand in time…
And never before had Gaius felt such a strong urge to save other's life.
...
Perhaps Estinien should have given more attention to the mysterious figure that evaded his sight back in ruins, seemingly disappearing into the void, but more pressing concerns quickly took over. After helping Fordola get Arenvald's body to others, the dragoon decided to offer some help in the bay. Of course, he was far from being a medic, but being the strong man that he was, Estinien could easily help with carrying the wounded, supplies, and bodies.
Despite the dreadful atmosphere of suspense and uncertainty which was in charge outside of the bay, the place itself looked much better after almost two days. There were many who died, of course, but just as many battled through this horror and won their lives back. They were lying there with their limbs broken, deep wounds piercing their entire bodies, bones dismembered…But they were still alive. Still had their chance to see the future, and this was enough. Estinien always took some joy in witnessing children realize that their parents were alive; they ran towards them to form a warm embrace. They had to live for two days thinking that their family members might be gone forever; they had no energy left, even for tears…But there was always enough of it for love. Perhaps in the past, Estinien might have been a little envious of happy families, but he managed to let go of his insecurities a while ago.
The dragoon also remembered seeing the pilot girl with Gaius sitting nearby and taking care of her…That certainly got a few stares. Estinien decided not to disturb them with questions while they were busy, and now the girl has been moved into a cell and Gaius…He was trying to arrange a private talk with her. There was something about that girl that made the Black Wolf care…
"Oi, Estinien!" - The nurse called to him, and the dragoon showed his attention. "We're running out of potions. Can you lend me a hand?"
"Sure." - The dragoon replied distantly and ventured for the healing potions, most of which were kept in the basement. He became a regular visitor there and his presence hardly required any additional explanation. However, this wasn't the case for someone else he saw there. As Estinien descended, he quickly noticed an argument going on between Fordola and the guard downstairs.
"Shouldn't you be in your cell by this point? The battle is long over." - The guard said in a tone of mockery.
"Too bad all people who could order me to return are either unconscious, sent away or…Or dead. I'm helping the wounded, so let me take those damn potions and save the nurses some trouble!" - She retorted in anger.
"What's the situation here?" - Estinien strolled into Fordola's surprise.
"Damn it, you know when to make the entrance; I'll give you that."
"She is an ally who fought with us against the Ruby Weapon, ready to lay her life low for it. I'd suggest you leave her alone." - Estinien said to the guard. The man decided not to pick another fight and left.
"Thank you, I suppose." - Fordola said begrudgingly before looking over the potions they needed to bring.
"These people can be quite ferocious, at times too good for their own good." - Estinien noted as he looked over the leaving guard. He knew very well that anger and a desire to spring conflict would never be beneficial.
"Aye, and you haven't even seen them after the liberation." - Fordola scoffed at the thought before showing some shame in bowing her head. "Though I suppose I have done a lot to deserve it."
"There is no reason to pass judgment upon you now, not in times like these." - Estinien said as he picked the potions, placing them in one box.
"You'd say that, but do you know what I've done?"
"More or less." - Estinien knew of Fordola's service under Gaius and Zenos and the war crimes she committed, but there was something else of note. "I also see that you were given a chance to fix these mistakes."
"Things like these don't get fixed; one can just try and outdo them with good…But aye, that's the chance they gave me. Mostly fighting primals and dealing with beast-men, the bloody doomsday device wasn't part of the plan." - She thought back to the battle as fury took over Fordola once again. "To think I served this scum…"
"Your battles with primals…" - Estinien pieced the picture together. "You were in the squad with Arenvald, right?" - He asked, and Fordola nodded as she picked up the box; Estinien followed her upstairs with the one of his own.
"Arenvald believed in me the most, more than I did, even. We argued about what's the path one should take and all, clashed a lot, but still somehow managed to work together. He might have been a fool at times, but he was a good man…And he didn't even get a chance." - She spoke with sorrow as if losing a friend dear to her. Estinien knew the path where hatred leads, and Fordola was much better off than he at times was. There was hope for her.
"If he believed in you, then you'd honor him by continuing his battle, don't you think?"
"You my father or something?"
"Hm…No, I'm far more used to being an older brother." - Estinien shrugged in response.
"You aren't wrong, but it's not simple…Not at all."
When they got up, there were at least four nurses gathered around one patient, making sure he felt comfortable and painless. Estinien and Fordola walked closer to see who that was, only to find that the flame general had finally awakened. About half of his body had been covered in bandages. He still barely moved but slowly managed to make sense of his surroundings.
"Oh, my damn head…" - He looked around; nurses checked on his condition, and they were happy to see him stable. Fordola noticed Estinien's interest.
"You want to share some words with him?"
"Don't you? I imagine that would be in order."
"I've got better things to do, so give me your potions and do your thing." - Fordola took Estinien's package and hurried to leave the scene while the dragoon walked among the nurses to the wounded general. The man was a little surprised to see him at first.
"How did…Am I in Ishgard or something?" - The memories needed some time to resurface.
"Already forgot the hellish pit I saved you from?" - Estinien said with sarcasm, immediately causing Raubahn to realize.
"Bloody…" - He said as the memories flooded back. "The weapon…What happened?"
"It's neutralized, and the pilot is held in custody." - Estinien explained to Raubahn's relief. "But the death toll is high. About a third of the city is destroyed."
"Blast them…I need to see it." - Raubahn clenched his fist. "I need to see my people…"
"You are not fit yet. You might collapse at any moment!" - One of the nurses interjected.
"I'd advise listening to them; seeing their leader weakened wouldn't do much for the people." - Estinien noted. Raubahn had to accept his condition. "People are waiting for your decision on the pilot and the weapon once you are ready."
"The weapon is intact?" - Raubahn wondered.
"Cid and his team are exploring its capabilities, but it would seem so. All I did was to take out the pilot."
"So you ended this nightmare, then…Thank you, dragoon; Ala Mhigo won't forget it. I certainly won't."
"Too early for praise…Not while we have much work to do." - Estinien said with a grim tone.
"We were too slow, allowed this to happen…Won't repeat this mistake again." - Raubahn swore. "And what of yourself?"
"I'll stay until the crisis is dealt with. I might have come here by the force of sheer coincidence, but clearly wasn't for nothing." - The dragoon made his choice. He will have time to speak to Alberic and scions later; here was where his presence was most needed. Where Edwin would have been having he returned…
"I will be proud to fight alongside you, ser Estinien." - Raubahn said with a respectful smile on his face.
"Likewise, general…I'm afraid this time will not be far off."
…
"S…She can't really be gone, can she?"
Constant training, desire to show off, set records, and excel…Rex has made this the pivotal moment of the last months of his life. But of course, the motives of this ran far deeper than simple competitiveness, and Alfonse described them perfectly. Rex needed a way to forget about the horrors happening in the world, of what might happen to them every other day, maybe even distract Allie with his stories.
A fool's hope, of course, but Rex believed it to work, genuinely. At first, it did, but any hope of having some phantom type of "fun" or "purpose" was squashed the moment Valens threw Milisandia's horn at their feet. Both Rex and Alfonse were thrown off-guard and horrified to their core. Losing their father was hurtful enough, but this was their sister gone forever…The one Rex watched rise from a shy and sheltered girl to a woman with purpose and a strong sense of family, how they helped her overcome her weaknesses, and she became the common voice of reason in their group. They weren't even there for her demise. Not there to say goodbye or hold her hand, just to see the last memory of her charred and thrown at them.
And worst of all, they had to tell that news to Ricon and Allie. The two had the strongest sense of hope and faith in the world in their future, especially Allie. When Alfonse told the truth, showing Milisandia's horn to their siblings, Rex stood behind him and watched Allie's horrified expression as Ricon stayed silent, showing his pain with his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Allie." - Alfonse dropped a single tear, falling directly at her horn. It was not easy being the big brother, knowing the responsibility he had over his family. Rex was ashamed to admit that he would often relinquish most of the responsibility to Alfonse and Milisandia. Now was the time to step up for their sake.
Rex witnessed Allie moving closer to Alfonse and giving him a warm hug, which he embraced in silence. Ricon followed soon, they might not have been as experienced in the art of piloting weapons, but they wanted to show support in any way they could. Rex strolled closer and joined in. These were the moments that kept them going despite the sorrows they faced, the moments that reminded them that they were still a family. Feeling their warmth was bliss for Rex…More than he ever could get from machines. But he held no idle illusions, either…They needed to act if they wished to live.
"But…Can we believe Valens? He might tell us it lies, so we're more loyal." - Ricon noted doubtfully, but he wasn't wrong. Rex definitely thought of this; Alfonse must have too. When they ended their embrace, the big brother spoke.
"I can say for certain that this is her horn, and Valens had it…We don't know how, but something horrible must have happened." - Alfonse said with grief before Rex decided to join in.
"I don't for a second believe that our father would take part or even allow this to happen, but if we're talking about Ala Mhigans in general, it wouldn't surprise me…" - He said.
"Are they just as cruel as our leaders, then? But there must be someone who'll seek a peaceful solution!" - Allie said hopefully.
"I don't know, Allie. What I do know is that they are a proud nation of warriors who have been only recently freed from the Empire. You can imagine the pride they feel for themselves coupled with hatred for anything Imperial or occupational…And that includes us." - Rex said grimly. "We might have no allies at all, even if we break free."
"We haven't found them yet, but it doesn't mean there is no hope at all." - Alfonse said. "Many have deserted the Empire, like our father. I'm sure we don't have to wait for long…"
"We tried waiting, and this ended in Milisandia being lost to us." - Rex shook his head. "We should act the next time we get this opportunity…Take the weapons, turn them against the VIIth and…"
"But if Valens has as much as one weapon, we might be done for?" - Ricon said with fear. "I can't lose any more of you; I just can't…" - He held back his tears as Allie hugged her brother and comforted him. There was no simple answer. Rex knew this.
"We can't act recklessly." - Alfonse tried to reason with Rex, but he was sick of this constant anticipation.
"It's better than having us die one by one in a war we never asked for." - He shook his head, noticing Alfonse's remorse. Rex was quick to act, but most of the time, he accepted judgment from his big brother. Alfonse's calm and rational demeanor balanced out Rex's short temper; they'd have to work together once again.
"We will find a way out…We must." - Alfonse said. "And I swear, I won't stand idly by and let any of you die. Not again."
"Thank you…" - Allie said warmly. "And we won't let you die too."
Before they could continue this conversation, the door opened, and a junior imperial officer entered, clad in centurio's armor. Rex got worried. What if this one heard anything they were talking about?
"I assume you are the pilots." - He said with no emotion.
"Yes, and you?" - Rex responded.
"A messenger, nothing more. I bring you a message from lord Valens, you are being transferred along with the weapons to the VIIth headquarters in Werlyt."
"Why?" - Ricon asked.
"He did not specify the details. Only that you will have Terncliff as your one stop."
It seemed that waiting was no longer an option.