Chapter 14: The Measure of Who We Are

A/N: The mention of a meager offering of morsel's time ran out.

"Hey, Mik, how much longer do you think he'll be?"

Drumming his fingers on his thigh in an impatient rhythm, Mikhail glanced at the sky, now turning dark as twilight set in. "We'll wait until it gets dark," he answered Cressidus back. "If Rex doesn't show by then, Azurda can finish waiting for him."

"Hmm," Azurda rumbled, his eyes betraying how cautious he was being around them. Mikhail didn't blame him. "Very well. So long as payment makes its way to me, that would be an agreeable arrangement."

Glancing over to Cressidus, the big lug had shut down the crane. Mikhail had no need for the thing now - the stuff back on the Marsanes was better anyways - so he'd probably leave it and 'sell' the spot to someone else. With how premium space was during a salvage bulge on a Titan as large as Mor Ardain, he'd have no issue.

The lights of the city began dotting his view, gleaming through the steam off the metal fortress that was Hardhaigh Palace. Around them on the platform, spotlights blared to life, directed at the cloud sea below where other salvagers - those lucky to get a spot here - were in the midst of dives.

Taking another hard look at the Blade calling himself Azurda - who stood, stony arms crossed, rippling with muscle, grassy mane kicking up at a passing gust of wind - brought through the haze of five hundred year memory something he'd never thought he'd see again.

Of course, no matter how much he resembled him, that wasn't the Titan named Azurda he remembered.

The rhythm of his fingers stopped, and curled into a fist. He'd meant what he said to Azurda about the Blade system. Most humans didn't think twice about it, but Mikhail had centuries to experience both sides of it. Of people's perceptions of Blades. Most didn't realize it, but if he wasn't hiding his ill-gotten core, they treated him differently. When he was hiding it, unless it was someone like Dagas, no one knew any better.

Did…he consider himself human at this point?

Maybe.

At this point, it didn't matter.

At least he was more human than some people he'd met. Maybe less than others.

"Hey!"

Looking up, he spotted the kid dashing to them. He straightened up and gave a little wave as the kid came to a stop, panting slightly. "Did the Nopon Merchants almost eat you alive or something?" Mikhail asked with a smirk. "We almost left you for dead, but Azurda was still here."

"…What?"

Mikhail rolled his eyes. "The last crate you brought up had the Gold Condensers we needed. We've even finished packing up."

The kid's forehead scrunched up, before his eyes widened in recognition. "Oh! Right. That's a relief."

"Here's the rest of your pay." He tossed over a small sack with the remainder of the gold they'd agreed on, and the kid almost fumbled it but caught the sack. He jerked his thumb over his shoulder at a crate with the rest of the parts that had been pulled up. "You and Azurda can sort out the rest of the parts."

"Ah, uh, right. Thanks. Um..."

Mikhail raised an eyebrow. "What?"

The kid crossed his arms, and tapped his foot, as if he was deliberating something really hard, before eventually he came to a decision. "You should probably get out of here. Even if you've got a ship repair or a contract to fulfil, I'd still get out of the city, quickly. Tonight."

"It's cute that you think I can't take care of myself, but whatever it is, I'll be fine."

"I'm sure you're capable, but this is bad." He looked around like he was about to tell him some big military secret. Glancing at the other salvagers nearby, he leaned in closer, lowering his voice to a whisper. "The Aegis is here. In the city."

Oh, you've gotta be kidding me.

"Really?" Inwardly, Mikhail cursed. Had she really not kept the poncho on? On the outside, he didn't let his expression be anything but look mildly interested as he raised his eyebrows. "The Aegis is here?"

"Yes." Wow, he sounded so solemn. "I bumped into another woman traveling with her, too."

Because why wouldn't they be together? "What, was she out doing some shopping with a friend or something?"

"Uh, maybe? But, I think she might be her Driver. I don't know, but whatever they're doing, it can't be good."

Mikhail took a breath. "So why are you telling me first?" Not that I'm complaining about an advanced warning. "Shouldn't you be telling your boss and protecting the populace like a good little soldier?"

"I know, I know. I just felt like I should finish my contract, you know? It wouldn't do any good for my reputation as a salvager if I left off a job half finished, or at least didn't let them know why I had to suspend it. Besides, you're really good this. You do some of the necessary calculations for the dive like it's nothing! When I've got time, I'd love to help out again if you need it. I feel like I could learn something from you."

He wanted to…?

Mikhail busted out laughing, which understandably confused Rex. This was just too good. "I'm flattered. Your kind is a kind apart."

"Thanks...I think? So, what do you say?"

He slapped the kid on the back good naturedly. "I'll think about it." He almost meant it. "Get out of here, kid."

"That's Rex!"

He waved it off. "Rex. Whatever." The kid gave him a grin, before hard, sheer determination set in on his face and he and Azurda rushed off.

"Head back to the inn?" Cressidus murmured asked once he was out of earshot.

"Quick as we can." And hope the rest of them were there. "Leave the crane. Some lucky bastard can have it. We need to get out of the city before they lock it down." He hefted the pouch with the parts in it. "At least we got what we came for."

"She's truly dead?"

Gorg's little restaurant still had quite a few customers, even close to its closing time once Lora and Pyra returned. When there was a decent gap, they explained what had happened. Understandably, Gorg was distraught.

Lora nodded sombrely. "Yeah. Maybe if we had gotten there sooner we could have done something, but it's almost impossible to say. I'm sorry."

"No." Gorg shook his head, gritting his teeth. Lora averted her eyes from the guilt that she caught a glimpse of in his eyes. "It has nothing to do with you. I was too caught up in this," he gestured to the restaurant behind him, "to visit a friend."

Frowning in worry, she stepped up and comfortingly set her hand on his shoulder. "You shouldn't beat yourself up about it. How could you have known what was going on?"

"Yes, how could I have known, since I wasn't there?" He let out a chuckle that had nothing to do with mirth. "I had my suspicions, sure, and I could tell Smaia had a checkered past, but…"

"I don't think she would have told anyone she was part of the Bloody Lobsters," Pyra ventured carefully, "friend or otherwise. We only found out by accident."

"Maybe you're right. I…" he looked her and Pyra in the eyes. "Regardless of the outcome, thank you both, for doing this." He handed over a small sack of gold and a fancily wrapped parcel. "Here's your pay."

"No!" Lora pushed the sack and parcel back. "We couldn't take these. It wouldn't be fair to you."

He pushed them forward forcefully. "You did what you said you would, regardless of the result. I would feel more guilty if you didn't take it."

She deliberated a moment before reluctantly accepting them "If you're sure."

"Again, thank you both. I need to get back to finish up the night, and then I...need some time for myself."

With that, he meandered slowly back into the kitchen. The feeling Lora was left with was...unsatisfying to say the least. The parcel likely held the desserts he'd promised, but she was sure they'd taste like ash if she tried to eat them right now.

"Do you think he'll be alright?" Pyra asked wistfully. "He looked so sad."

"I hope so." She hoped he wouldn't do anything rash. "Losing people we know and love is always hard, but they're still alive in our memories, you know?"

"...Yeah." A small frown grew on Pyra's face before she shook her head, turning back to face Lora. "Maybe we should do something else. Get our mind off of this."

"Yeah, that would be good." Hopefully Nia talking to the local authorities wouldn't take too long. "I could use a good distraction after that."

"I remember seeing some interesting looking shops selling materials that you might be able to make charms out of while we were out."

Lora perked up. "Oh yeah, I think I remember those. Lead the way."

Pyra smiled. "Follow me."

"Really now? You're quite sure about this?"

"Yes!" Rex replied impatiently. The officer looked over his lenses, not seeming intimidated at all by the six of them gathered, practically oozing condescension. "I saw her in the city less than an hour ago."

His eyebrows rose. "In the city? You saw the emerald core crystal and everything?"

"Well, no," Rex admitted, "I didn't see her core crystal, but I know it's her. I've seen the Aegis before. Right now she's wearing a black poncho to hide her core and she's traveling with another woman with red hair. I bumped into them near Ayvill Shopping District."

"I'll excuse your impatience, recruit, but we really have to be sure about this. We've already had false alarms from both well-meaning and others with agendas tied to their purses. We cannot muster our forces or cause a panic in the city if we mobilize for a 'maybe.' I won't cry volff and be the laughing stock of the army."

"I get that, but I was the one who told Special Inquisitor Mòrag that the Aegis was back in the first place."

At the sound of Mòrag's name, the man's eyebrows shot up. "Then it's good for you that I have to approve any action related to the Aegis with the Inquisitor. I hope for your sake that you aren't lying."

"Trust me. I was the only survivor of the salvaging expedition aside from Torna that pulled up the ship she was sealed up in. I know what I saw. Salvager's honour, swear."

He scoffed. "Look, I'm not going to ignore what you say. I just have to put it through the correct high priority channels. If your story checks out, then of course we will take action." He shook his head. "I hope for all our sakes that what you're saying isn't true."

"It is," Rex insisted.

"Don't go anywhere." He gave the six of them hard looks before he stood and walked to a communication console in a little nook behind him.

Sighing, Rex stepped back from the little desk the bases' on duty officer had been sitting at.

"Tora thinks bully man really wants to chew Rex-rex out for raising false alarm." Rex wasn't sure if it was curiosity or something else that drove the Nopon to stick with them, but he definitely agreed.

"Seems like it." Jac scratched lightly at his fluffy ears. "I'm still trying to wrap my head around this. I…I don't really want to be deployed so soon to fight against the legendary Blade. Uh, no offense, Yachik."

"None taken."

Azurda patted the Gormotti on the back, encouragingly, which had the added effect of making Jac stumble forward from the force of it. "It will be fine, my young friend. I suspect the army won't involve us past this point. It would seem strange to me to field inexperienced Drivers against a threat such as the Aegis."

"Tora hopes you're right. Tora already have hard enough time against Torigoth bullies. Rex-rex is strong, but Tora can't imagine what big, legendary bladeypon would do."

"Don't worry, masterpon; Poppi will protect against any threat!"

Rubbing his nose, Rex let out a laugh. "I like your attitude Poppi."

"So long as they don't rush headlong into danger, I'm sure they will be fine." Azurda gave a sidelong glance at Rex.

Rex gave a nervous chuckle. He did go rushing into things a lot, but he could take care of himself. The rest of them were relatively new to these things.

The conversation petered off, leaving the office in relative silence. Before long, Rex found himself pacing. Glancing back at the officer on duty occasionally, he caught muffled snatches of conversation, and it sounded like the officer was talking to different people. How long was it going to take?

"Rex."

Rex stopped where he was and looked up to Azurda. The others were a decent enough distance away they likely wouldn't hear what was being said. "What?"

"You're going to wear a track into the floor at the rate you're going."

"Oh. Sorry. I can't help it. I want to help out, but I don't know what else to do. I feel useless just waiting here."

"You aren't useless, Rex," Azurda assured. "If you hadn't run into the Aegis, there's no telling what she may have accomplished unseen."

"I know, but…that's just it. We have no idea what their end game really is, both Torna and the Aegis."

And the Aegis has really pretty eyes, his mind unhelpfully supplied.

He ran his hands through his hair in frustration, trying to get over that. "I mean, that other lady with her, she didn't seem bad. Polite, even. What...what if I've got it all wrong? What if-"

"Focus, Rex." Azurda's voice was calm and commanding, but different from how Mòrag did it. More Gramps-like, but still subtly different. "No, we don't know the reason why both of them are here now, and perhaps we won't know." A connection, a surge of power and calm rushed into him. The link from Azurda. "But focus on what is right in front of you. It is no different from being jittery before a big salvaging job."

"Sorry." Rex took a deep calming breath. He was right. They didn't know, couldn't know what they were doing here. "Yeah, I know. Thanks, Azurda."

With how savage Malos had ended up being, he was worried it would end up the same way. Even though the woman with the Aegis had seemed polite, she might be just as bad. He just had no way of knowing.

But the Aegis was still pretty.

Argh, stop it!

The officer in the booth stood from the communication terminal suddenly, giving him the distraction he needed. Adjusting his lenses, the officer called the group over to him. He looked a little annoyed, and seemed to be standing a little straighter. "I have the Inquisitor on the line. She wishes to speak to you directly."

Relief flooded into Rex. He cracked a grin. "Told you so."

His eyes narrowed on Rex. "Don't waste her time, recruit."

He stepped up to the terminal and sat down in front of it. On the screen, an image of the increasingly familiar face of Mòrag scrutinized him carefully.

"Rex."

"Special Inquisitor."

He might have imagined it, but it seemed her lips twitched into a smile for a moment. It was harder to tell on the screen. "I've heard the report. Are you certain of what you saw?"

Rex nodded solemnly. "Yes. It's hard to mistake something like that. She's awake, here in the city, and she's got company. A woman with red hair who could be her Driver."

"A Driver already?" She turned away and there was some muffled conversation he couldn't hear. "I see. If the Aegis truly is here, we will change our approach."

"What do you mean? Did you already know she was here?"

"Not so. I just received a report from the city guards. One of the members of Torna you described - the Gormotti girl and her Blade - just finished reporting something to the authorities."

"Nia and Dromarch are their names."

"Yes. There was a potential murder involved, but it seems she had nothing to do with it; the guard believed she sounded genuine. Even so, from what the officers reported, and what you just described, it sounds as though the Aegis and her Driver were with them. We are in contact the officers in question now as they tail her.

"Are they going to try and capture her?"

"No. We will wait and see if the she regroups with the Aegis. As soon as we pin down a good location, we will lock it down and attempt to subdue and capture them. I would like you to assist in the effort as you are the most familiar with her and the other woman in question."

"Of course."

"Thank you. Put Officer Ferguson back on the line while I relay more orders to him. Once we're done, follow him to rendezvous with me. I will be attending to this personally."

Standing up, he grinned cheekily at the officer who returned a cool look at him. The officer pressed a hand on his shoulder stopping Rex as he passed by.

"What?"

He scowled. "Don't think this makes you any more important than anyone else, recruit."

"I know. We're all in this together."

The man sniffed impassively before returning to the console.

"We're being followed, Mik. Up above."

Mikhail sighed at Cressidus' heads up. "Got it."

Keeping his pace brisk and with purpose, without turning, Mikhail glanced with just his eyes at the cloaked figure pitifully attempting to discreetly follow them from the metal rooftops. The neutral grey-coloured cloak blended in well with the metal and steam around them. It might fool amateurs, but he had the added advantage of his ill-gotten element.

Night never quite looked dark to him anymore. Hadn't in almost five hundred years.

Still walking - quick, but not worried looking quick - he weighed his options.

The road split up ahead. Mentally mapping it out, both would lead to the inn where he would tell everyone the 'good' news. If he took the main road, it would be faster, but he ran the risk of them interfering later. If he went the longer, more empty route...

He and Cressidus turned down the long winding backstreet. Would they take the bait?

His answer came nearly a minute later in a still narrow, but more open area with no one else in sight. He heard the slight whine of the charging of an ether cannon, and sure enough, moments later, a charged electric-element ether laser pinged off his quickly raised ether barrier.

If anyone else had been watching they would assume that was Cressidus', not his. Not that it mattered since it had the same effect. He heard a curse from somewhere above - clearly he was dealing with 'professionals' - and moments later not one, but twelve people in grey cloaks seemed to melt out of the shadows of nearby buildings.

"Crow." The deep masculine voice came from the cloaked figure in front who had stepped forward slightly. Not a voice he recognized. "Give yourself up quietly and things won't get messy."

It was almost cute how he tried to sound threatening. "So, Dagas couldn't be bothered to descend into the city to deal with me himself." Which was a relief. He smiled, spreading his arms disarmingly wide. "I'm flattered, but you've just caught me at the worst possible time."

The leader tensed and peeled back his cloak to flash Ardainian steel weapons and guns. "Even a Driver has limits, Crow. Last chance. Surrender peacefully and no one gets hurt."

No one would get hurt until his head rolled at the blade of Dagas' axe. No thanks. He rolled his eyes. "Pass. I've got other things going on."

"It's twelve against one."

Plus the Driver and Blade on the rooftops, and any potential hidden reinforcements. Mikhail smirked menacingly in spite of himself. "Oh, I like those odds."

Weapons were drawn in answer. As one, their affinity link surged and Mikhail and Cressidus moved.

Grabbing Cressidus' gauntlets off his back, in a move that completely startled them, he chucked both gauntlets into two of the cloaked figures in front of them. The gauntlets crashed into them, pummelling them into the building behind them, quickly putting them out of commission. Whether unconscious or dead, it didn't really matter to him.

Working through the surprise, the other goons surged forward to take advantage of his weaponless state. He drew on his own power and weaved around the strikes from their melee weapons - which were fairly competent - until, drawn by an ether tether from Cressidus, the gauntlets flew back to their owner, knocking down a couple more not expecting the back attack.

Mikhail intercepted the gauntlets before they returned to Cressidus and they smoothly equipped themselves to his arms and hands. He struck the goon in front with one, then two earth ether infused haymakers, sending him careening into the building, denting the metal.

The remaining seven hesitated.

Mikhail raised the gauntlets, wiggling the fingers tauntingly. "That all? Or are we done here?"

The Driver on the roof shot his ether cannon in response, pinging off Cressidus' ether barrier this time. The elemental difference cracked it slightly. The attack rallied the remaining who began shooting their guns, which Mikhail blocked easily by raising the gauntlets and pressing them together in front of him. A transparent golden shield spread out from their sides in half circles, forming a nigh impenetrable shield in front of him.

Behind him, he felt Cressidus slam his hands into the stone street. Though it was hard to make out through the shield his gauntlets projected, a large slab of the cobbled stone as wide as the street surged up behind their attackers, casting a shadow on them.

A moment later, the stone slab fell, and all but one of their attackers tried and failed to move out of the way, and they yelled before the slab crushed some and trapped others.

The one who escaped the plate wisely started retreating. He heard the whine of another shot charging from the ether cannon up top.

Mikhail turned back to Cressidus. "Boost me up to the rooftop, but don't overshoot it."

"Gotcha." His Blade waited for Mikhail to step onto his massive cupped hands. "Ally oop!"

Punctuated by the second word, Cressidus launched him up sailing into the air. The apex of it was just high enough for the metal gauntlets to grab onto one of the many crisscrossing pipes and swing himself up to the flat rooftop.

Though flat, the rooftop was crowded with pipes and other machinery spitting out steam. He carefully advanced. The Driver peeked out from behind one of the machines, and let off another electric laser art from the ether cannon. Mikhail dodged, and smirked, seeing as the attacker had just given away his position.

He stalked toward it. "You're really not a bright bunch, are you?" Another peek attack. Another dodge. "I couldn't care less what you and Dagas think of emperor goodie two shoes." Another attack. The same dodge. "But you really picked the wrong time to mess with me."

"And you're a fool of a Driver for separating yourself from your Blade."

The Driver had heaved the weapon to his Blade, a common Blade, who jumped in the air ether cannon charged with a clearly powerful blast.

"Who said I did?"

Mikhail stood there and watched as a familiar Cressidus sized shadow launched himself off the side of the building, into the Blade mid-air, diverting the attack.

Right back at their Driver. Mikhail winced in fake sympathy.

Cressidus landed with a decisive thud, and a moment later, a dormant core crystal dropped to the ground. Too bad Patroka wasn't watching. She would've enjoyed the show.

"Should we go after the one we missed?" Cressidus asked.

"Let him go." Picking up the dormant core crystal, Mikhail pocketed it. Another one for his project. "People probably heard something. We've wasted enough time as it is. Let's go."

Mythra proudly held up a tangled lump of thread, nearly shoving it into Lora's face. "How's it look? Pretty great charm, right?"

"It's…" Lora choked on her words, seeing a stag beetle had somehow gotten tangled within the knots. It was still alive, desperately struggling to get out. She cleared her throat. "I-It's not bad for a first go. Your knots are very well done. Creative."

And they were, but...

Nearby her, tending to the evening meal over the fire, Jin looked up, appraising the mess with a cool gaze. "It's as good as your cooking."

"Hah!" Mythra grinned, setting one hand on her hip. "So it's awesome, then."

"No." And Jin looked down and went back to cooking without another word. Lora winced in sympathy. Ouch.

Mythra flushed and crossed her arms. "Hmph. You don't even make these things. Who asked you?" She turned back to Lora. "So, now that I've mastered this one. What's next?"

Lora forced a smile and chuckled, nervously. "Um, maybe we should stop for tonight." She glanced over at the pit Jin was attending. "Besides, the food's almost ready."

Mythra pouted for a moment, before she stood, a cocky grin taking over he face. "I guess I'm too good at this anyways. Wouldn't want to crowd your style."

"Y-yeah."

Lora's fingers twirled deftly, weaving some of the exotic looking dark red thread they'd purchased around expertly into fun little knots. The small, challenging task was relaxing after everything that had happened.

Sitting beside her on the edge of the bed in their room in the Jakalo Inn, Pyra was busy trying her hand at it as well, looping a simple braided bracelet from some of the other thread she'd purchased.

Lora was surprised when she'd asked to try after watching her for a little bit, especially with how miserably a similar experience in Gormott had ended before. After giving small corrections at the beginning, Pyra had just kept on it no problem.

"You're doing really well."

Pyra glanced up. "You think so?"

She smiled encouragingly. "Of course. I was a little worried that you wouldn't have the patience for it." She left unsaid that she - or was it Mythra? She was still trying to wrap her head around that one - hadn't before. "That's why I gave you something simple to start with. It looks like it's turning out great so far."

Pyra beamed. "Thanks! Yours looks good as well. Is it finished?"

"Yup. Tah-dah!" She showcased the finished charm. The maroons and blacks of the braided bow were interwoven with tiny little blue stones stuck in without anything like beads to thread them. Tricky, but not impossible if you knew what to do. All wrapped into a fun little fan shape. "Don't the colours of the thread remind you a little of Mikhail's armour?"

Pyra the charm she was making in her lap and leaned over to investigate closely. "They do." She let out a hmm. "Wasn't it Hugo that suggested doing weaving in stones like that?"

"Yeah. I never thought to do it before with Jin because, well, gemstones are normally really expensive." According to the Nopon merchant, these gemstones were on sale because of the salvage bulge, with a ton of them being brought up in the past few days. She flushed. "And we were, well you know..."

"Broke," Pyra finished.

She cleared her throat. "But he was right about it. I never really had time to try it after he suggested it, since by that point, Malos had already attacked the capital." And it had just kept getting busier and busier until Torna was sunk beneath the clouds. "I was thinking about making one for each of us eventually, once I can find the right colours."

Excitement flaring in her eyes, Pyra clapped her hands together. "Oh, that sounds lovely! Maybe we'll be able to look around more tomorrow. I'll help in any way I can."

"That'd be a big help. Hopefully we can find some imported stuff." She hefted the finished charm. "There weren't a whole lot of other colours of thread other than the ones here besides white, gold, muted green and brown. I looked for emerald thread, but the merchant said they were sold out. I guess the other colours are a staple of the empire?"

"Maybe." Pyra picked up her own charm-in-the-making, then looked over to Lora, scrutinizing her clothes.

"Is something wrong?"

Pyra gave a mischievous little smile. "It's nothing."

Lora tucked the finished charm away. It wouldn't do to show them off to the others until they were all finished. "Are you sure?"

"Nothing big enough to worry about. One step at a time, right?"

Lora smiled. "One step at a time." She was somewhat charmed by how much Pyra had taken up what Jin had instilled in her when she was little. "But you don't have to take those steps alone." She tapped the hidden core pulsing on her sternum. "We're in this together all the way."

"Even if you're scared of what I can do?"

Lora pursed her lips. This again. "I've been thinking about that. Maybe I am scared of what you can do." How could she not be? Even before the Tornan Titan had sunk, she had always been a little on edge around Mythra. But it was different now. Had to be different. "But, should I be scared of you?"

"You know what I can do. What I've done."

"Do you want to sink more Titans?"

Pyra looked abashed that she even suggested it. "Of course not! What happened…it was horrible. I don't ever want to go through something like that again."

"Well, it was Malos who goaded you into it. Much as I don't like it, he's still alive. Are you going to let him do that again?"

Her hands tightened into fists. "No."

"Then that should be enough, right?"

"What if…" She paused, searching for her words. "What if it's not enough?"

Lora carefully lifted Pyra's hand and clasped it in both of hers. "Then we'll make sure it is. You aren't doing this alone, Pyra."

Pyra averted her eyes. "It doesn't make it any easier."

"It doesn't," Lora agreed, and she squeezed her hand, "but it does make it less lonely."

She didn't look her in the eyes, but did murmur a quiet, "...Thank you."

The door to the room slammed open revealing-

"Nia!" Lora hopped to her feet, Pyra following after. "There you are. We were getting worried. What took you so long?"

The Gormotti girl made no comment as she stomped into and across the room, dived and face-planting into her bed, scrunching up the blankets.

"Are you…doing alright?" Pyra ventured.

An unintelligible, angryish grumble rose from beyond the blanket in response. Dromarch padded in and sat on his haunches, clearing his throat. "It has been a tiring day for her."

"What happened?" Pyra asked.

His tail swished on the floor. "After you and Lady Lora departed, my lady and I retrieved the local authorities. They were most accommodating, especially after we showed them the mercenary writ. However, when we brought them back to Smaia's apartment, the man who we thought was dead was in the middle of climbing out the window. Thankfully, we arrived when we did. I shudder to think what would have happened if we had to explain a missing body. "

"Climbing out the...really?" Lora asked, perplexed. "Didn't he poison himself?"

An annoyed groan rose from Nia's bed.

Sighing, Dromarch shook his head tiredly. "No, just a very convincing act."

"So then the foam that came out of his nose and the shaking and the fact that his heart wasn't beating…?"

"All for show it would seem. Though I had heard that such medicines existed, I admit, I was wholly unprepared for it all." He dipped his head. "I apologize for not being able to recognize it."

"All of us were fooled, by the sound of it." That sounded really complicated and way more work put into it than she would've thought to. Then again, she had never tried to fake her death before. "Gorg wouldn't be happy to hear about that."

"Hmm. Perhaps. Or perhaps not," Dromarch mused.

"What do you mean?"

"It is a difficult, often touchy subject to breach for most," Dromarch rumbled. "For Blades, though we mourn the loss of our friends and comrades, our existence offers a far different view of life and death than most humans. In each lifetime we may meet thousands of individuals, form bonds, close connections, even enemies. But no matter how close or combative that relationship is, as soon as our Driver dies, we forget it all."

Pyra closed her eyes in thought. "Maybe it's a mercy. If Blades remembered every lifetime…" She let it hang in the air for a moment. "Living that long, some things would be best forgotten."

"I'm not so sure." Lora's hand clenched. "It's so sad, knowing that they won't remember. I wouldn't know how I'd feel if I knew I wasn't going to remember someone I loved. Even just the thought of someone else going through it hurts. Being forgotten would be...horrible."

It was the same reason she had allowed Jin, so desperate to remember - and her so desperate to be remembered - to do what he had done. Being forgotten by those you loved would be worse than death.

"It is sad," Dromarch agreed. "However, each new lifetime brings a new opportunity. An entirely fresh perspective. No matter who we were before, what kind of Blade we may have been, we may rise and do something different, or fall to horrible depths. The possibilities are both exciting and terrifying. But it is who we are."

His statement hung heavy in the room.

A pillow flew over from the bed Nia occupied and bonked him on the head, dispelling the gloomy discussion. "Enough philosophical mumbo jumbo, Dromarch." Nia had turned her head, but her cheek was still squished against the bed covers, voice slightly muffled. "You're making everyone overthink things again."

"Apologies, my lady."

"Maybe we should turn in?" Pyra ventured. "It has been a long day."

Lora was about to agree when a knock came on the frame of the open door. They all turned to see a short, middle aged Ardainian woman - who Lora recognized as the Jakalo Inn's innkeeper, Yulie - stepped into the doorway. "Excuse me. But there are some nice people down in the commons area asking for you all."

"Oh?" Lora tilted her head, trying to think of who it would be. Considering how relatively few people she knew, no one really came to mind. "Did they say who they were?"

"They didn't say, but were very insistent that they wished to meet you. It sounded urgent." Yulie smiled. "I wouldn't keep them waiting if I were you. They seemed like such good people."

"Alright, we'll be there soon."

Winking, the innkeeper nodded in satisfaction and quickly scurried off.

Nia flopped over onto her back and stretched, sitting up. "Are we expecting anyone besides Mik? He'd just barge in."

"No, I don't think so. Unless Gorg thought of something else."

Nia rolled her eyes. "Or one of the several or whatever other people you helped out along the way today. 'Long as one of them isn't starting a fan club, we'll be good." She vaulted nimbly off the bed to her feet, and stretched. "May as well see if we can't get involved with another bloody murder mystery or something."

"I doubt it would be as drastic as something like that, my lady…"

"Let's just get it out of the way so we can get some proper shuteye."

Leading the way, Lora wound around the halls and down the stairs of the large inn. She made it to the landing of the stairs and started heading into the commons. It was empty, except for-

"That's them, Inquisitor!"

Tensing up at the shout, she saw the boy from earlier, the one who'd bumped into her in the streets, pointing at their group. An Ardainian woman in the black, red and gold trimmed uniform of the special inquisitor sat cross legged at one of the common's tables, facing them. Her hands were folded neatly under her chin, eyes intent on her and Pyra.

"Thank you, Rex. Your assistance has continued to prove most valuable."

The woman snapped her white gloved fingers and the front doors of the inn busted open. Not just the front doors, but the kitchen and room doors upstairs. Lora fell quickly into a combat stance, looking for a way out, but very quickly realized they were surrounded by Ardainian soldiers on all sides. Firearms, Drivers and Blades with weapons all trained at them.

A trap.

"This kid again?" Nia hissed, Dromarch's twin rings already drawn, but Pyra hadn't formed her sword yet. "Seriously?"

"Aegis."

The voice came from above them, and Lora's eyes flicked up to the top of the stairs before they widened in surprise. "Brighid? Is that…" she whispered, hopeful.

The Jewel of Mor Ardain raised her eyebrows coolly, as if not expecting her to know who she was. Why did she not-

Oh.

There was no recognition in her expression. Lora's memory of a heart sunk, remembering Hugo's death. The two dormant core crystals in the hands of a different man wearing the same station as the woman at the table.

"Now then." The Special Inquisitor's eyes were calm and calculating. A constant in the chaos. Her brown eyes bore into hers. "You and this building are surrounded. Surrender quietly, Aegis, members of Torna, and submit yourself to the custody of the Ardainian Empire for questioning against the crimes against Alrest you have committed."

A/N: I'm sure nothing bad will come of this. They're just inviting them for a chat in the hot springs, right?