Escaping from the Blue Flames and Golden Thunder
"Come now, surely you can do better than that." Dughall mocked standing behind Dolmes.
"That coward! He's just hiding behind his Blade." Rex irritated.
"What? Does common sense elude you? A Blade can regenerate from any injury. Whereas if I die, my Blade will return to a useless core." Dughall explained in a mocking tone.
"So, it's ok to use them as a living shield? You weasel. Even if they can regenerate, that doesn't mean Blades don't feel pain." Nia lectured.
"Hahah, how cute. The fleabag thinks we should are about Blade's feelings." Dughall laughed.
"That's something you should consider, you old fart."
"Huh, who dares!" Dughall angered, then quickly sent flying into a wooden cargo box by a strong kick and lay there unconscious. Domles got slammed down as well by Cattleya, Agate, and Swan's combined strength as their Drivers run up to the group.
"They will teach them not to mess with my Driver's friends and brother." Agate huffed.
"I'm pretty sure they'll remember that pain for a LONG time." Ymir said, then got tackle by Tora crying a little of happiness to see his sister okay.
"Rana! I'm so glad you're not hurt." Rex said as he and the others run up to him.
"Thanks, Risty and Swan were tough opponents, but they're not really bad women once you get to know them." Rana said and turn his sight on Nia.
"Hope you guys don't mind us tagging along." Risty smirked.
"And I'm also glad you're not going to be execute, Nia." Rana cheered.
"What? That fat fool was trying to take me back to Mor Ardain." Nia mentioned, confusing the brothers.
"Really?" Ymir confused.
"Don't you boys see? This is a trap!" Nia realized.
"So, you being execute was a lie?" Rex asked.
"No time! Talk later, Rex-Rex! We should escape!" Tora stated.
"Masterpon is right. Chance of reinforcements very high." Poppi added.
"Then we better get moving, like right now." Ymir worried.
"Yes, getting out of town would be a good start." Azurda agreed.
Rex, Rana, and friends have all made their getaway out of the battleship as quickly as possible, leaving behind Dughall and his Blade laying in defeat.
"By the way, what kind of did Rana made with Bandit woman?" Tora asked curious.
"Hehe, well, about that…" Rana chuckled.
"He promised me all the treasure when we reach the top of the World Tree." Risty answered bluntly.
"What? Seriously?!" Rex gasped.
"I just thought it would be okay to bring her along." Rex winced a little.
"Making deals with bandits is never a good thing." Nia stated.
"Hey, Risty is not like any bandits you ever heard of." Swan defended her Driver.
"Guys! Argue after we get out of here." Pyra reminded.
Everyone knew the fire Blade was right and that they need to get out of the Mor Ardain battleship as quickly as possible and getting off the Titan as well. They found themselves outside but not out of the ship yet as they make their way to the gate just to be free from the base, but they only made halfway to the exit when suddenly blue flames appear blocking the way.
"These flames again?" Pyra shocked.
"It's her!" Rex recognized who's doing this.
The group see four figures coming through the flames, two of them they recognized are Brighid and Claudette along with their Drivers, Morag and Leina.
"And with their Drivers too, this time." Nia noticed.
"That's Morag, the Flamebringer! And the other one is Leina Vance, the Thunder Maiden." Dromarch said knowing those two through words of the reputation they have.
"You know those two?" Ymir asked.
"Everyone who heard of them are both feared and respected. Special Inquisitors from Mor Ardain, they are the most powerful Drivers in the Empire along with wielding their most powerful Blades. One of the pairs alone can defeat 101 men including the Blades." Risty explained while glaring at them.
"So, together they're like… ULTRA powerful?!" Rex shocked.
"Man, that's so cool if we weren't facing them like this." Rana confessed.
"It looks like they were waiting for us." Pyra pointed out.
"Yes indeed, I did feel like we got away a little too easily." Azurda stated.
"I should have expected Dughall would fail to slow you down." Morag disappointed. Thinking he will be remove from his ranks and all things after this.
"You two. You spread the rumor that I was going to be executed just to lure Rex, Rana, and the others here!" Nia exposed their plan.
"I know it was a dirty trick to use, but it was the only way we could see the emerald Core Crystal Blade for ourselves if she is the Aegis." Leina explained.
"And we cannot allow that kind of power that can render all of Alrest to go freely. Not like what happened before." Morag glanced at Pyra.
"What are you talking about?" Rana confused.
"Yeah, Pyrah is a good girl, she would never destroy the world." Rex believed, but Pyra looks down a little clenching her fist.
"You mean you didn't know? 500 years ago, during the Aegis War, the Aegis sank three continents to the Cloud Sea's bed." Morag revealed shocking everyone.
"Three Titans… destroyed." Rex looked at Pyra with the sad expression on her face and he looks at back Morag.
"It was all in the history books we read about. We're trying to prevent anyone from misusing that power so no lives would be lost like that time." Leina mentioned.
"Is that it?" Rex asked, confusing the two Inquisitors.
"You, talking about Pyra like she's some kind of weapon and you want use her like that. Well, we're not going to let you have her." Rex said standing closer to Pyra.
"Yeah, we won't let some bullies pick on our friends." Rana agreed.
"Wait, are you really going to fight us despite knowing our intention?" Leina asked.
"If it comes down to it, yes." Rex answered.
"Then we will have to retrain you by force." Morag declared as she extended her sword whips.
"I was hoping we could settle this peaceful." Leina sighed, scratching the back of her head.
"It can't helped." Claudette said as she handed her Driver the thunder sword.
"Prepare yourselves." Brighid warned with a glare.
"In that case, I'll make this nice and clear. You. Will. Never. Take her!" Rex determined as everyone get ready to fight.
(Music: Battle Theme, Xenoblade Chronicles 2)
Pyra smiles from Rex's words and her Core Crystal beating almost like a heartbeat, she knows her past will always come back to hunt her but that doesn't mean she'll let it control her life like today and will do her very best to fight by her Driver's side.
"Then let see if you have the strength of back up those words, boy!" Morag accepted the challenge.
"Rex, how about I take on the thunder girl with Risty and Ymir while the rest of you take on the flame lady." Rana suggested.
"Good idea. We can even switch teams in midbattle too." Rex nodded.
"If we're done talking, let's get them!" Ymir charged swing the battle axe at Leina who easily blocks it.
"I really don't like fighting children, but unfortunately, I have a job to do." Leina pushed Ymir back and release an electric wave at her though Agate blocks it with her forcefield.
Cattleya and Rana run side by side with the latter attacking her with some combo moves as she blocks them and moves some counter moves which Rana barely manage to dodge them, he was able to redirect her attack creating an opening for Cattleya to swing her large sword. Leina was able to see that coming and pull her sword up to block it, but she was surprise of the mother-figure Blade's massive strength pushed her close to a metal wall.
"Whoa, she's strong." Leina commented surprise and move out of the way when Risty came down with her mace.
"You know, I always hate rich bastards like you always looking down on the poor and not doing anything to help except struggling for a single scrap of food." Risty said while swinging her mace fiercely as Leina dodge and blocks them.
"I'm not like those people." Leina claimed.
"As if you actually care." Risty grabbed Leina's arm and shoulder throw her to the ground.
Swan is high in the air and dive for drop-kick to the head, but Claudette appears between Swan and Leina as she shot a lightning bolt at Swan who narrowly dodges but the electric shock from the bolt still zaps her. Leina spins herself around unleashing a ring wave of lightning shocking Rana's group as they survive thanks to their Blades' forcefield, Rana attack first though Leina parry his attacks easily and kick him away as Ymir was about strike her down but as zapped away by Claudette and shock Risty and Swan. Cattleya swings her sword at Leina who dodges them after already knowing her strength and electric slash her down with her back on the ground.
"Damn it, I didn't think those two are strong." Risty groaned.
"This is going to be harder than we thought." Rana panted as he got up again.
Meanwhile, Rex's group are having trouble fighting against Morag as well. Rex fires a few small flaming slashes though they get blocked by a flaming wall set up by Morag and her whip-swords are making it difficult for her to get close to her as she can use them for both offense and defense. Dromarch fires a sonic roar at her, but Brigid got in the way putting up a forcefield and send a wave of blue flames making the tiger Blade jump out of the way, Poppi is seen flying over the battlefield and charge at Brighid as she fires some fireballs making Poppi dodge them though she kept going and throws a mighty punch, but the blue flame Blade dodge it. Torn charges at Morag with his drill shield only for her to jump over the little engineer Nopon, slashing her whip sword and knocking him away.
"Tora!" Ymir screamed when she saw her brother getting hurt really bad.
Consume with anger, Ymir charge at Morag with Agate behind her as the short girl throws the axe in Agate's hands.
"Heliodor Passion" Agate threw her axe spinning fast going to Morag, but the attack got blocked when Brighid unleash a stream of flame to shield her Driver.
Nia saw Claudette being distracted with keeping an eye on Leina thinking this could give her the opportunity to attack her blind spot, she jumps on Dromarch charging at the lightning Blade. However, Claudette was able to sense them coming and fired a lightning bolt at them which they narrowly dodge, and Nia threw the ring-blades only for Claudette to catch them easily in her hands and throws them back at Nia. Claudette slams her hands down on the ground sending a wave of electric shocks all around her that paralyzes Rex and Rana's group then Morag and Brighid unleash a fiery explosion knocking them all down.
"This isn't going well." Rana said.
"I know, but we can't give up." Rex grunted.
Then Morag and Leina leaps toward the Salvage brothers slashing at the boys as they try their best to fend them off, Rex got a slash on his wrist and on the stomach causing Pyra to gasp from the pain as well.
"Stubborn child, why don't you just give up?" Morag asked.
"You'll never get Pyra!" Rex said getting up and slowly walking backward to Pyra.
"She's more than just the "Aegis" or some kind of weapon. She's a living being!" Rex hold out his hand to Pyra, she takes it getting back up on her feet.
"Rex made a promise to take Pyra somewhere, and I'm going to help him keep that promise." Rana said as Cattleya helps him up.
"We're NOT gonna let you stand in her!" Rex and Rana shouted as Rex fires a stream of his own flames at Morag, but she simple stab one sword against the fire splitting it in two.
"Those boys sure have strong spirits." Leina commented.
"Tiresome is more like it." Morag said. "The Power of the Aegis is formidable, but the Driver's skill betrays her." Then Brighid came in using her own flames to extinguish Pyra's.
"Stay vigilant, Morag. Leina. An unknown power lurks within this foe." Brighid warned.
"I was kinda expecting to see more of Pyra's power since she's suppose to be the Aegis." Claudette said.
"Yes, her flames seem to be weaker than Brighid's." Leina noticed.
"Indeed, but I sense her flames are hiding something deeper." Morag stated.
"Rex, we need to think of something fast or else we're done for." Rana panted.
"I know, I know… let see, Brighid is a fire Blade and Claudette is a lightning blade. The one thing they have in common is… water." Rex figured out a plan to at least give them a chance to run.
"Everyone! Are you ready to run?" Rex asked.
"Uh, sure?" Nia nodded.
"Normally, I don't like running from a fight, but I'm willing to make an exception for this one." Risty said.
"Me too." Swan agreed with her Driver.
"We're right behind you, Rex." Cattleya smiled.
"Then let's go!" Rex shouted and everyone start running away toward the exit just as Morag disburse the flaming wall.
"Hey, they're getting away!" Claudette pointed at the group.
"After them!" Leina said giving chase.
"Pyra, can you manage a full-powered blast?" Rex asked.
"Yes, maybe one or two more." Pyra answered.
"That'll do!" Rex nodded as everyone stops and quickly surrounded their opponents.
Rex raises the fire sword charging it up to full power again and fires the flaming stream at Morag.
"You're getting predictable, boy." Morag mocked as she defends herself the same way she did before, splitting the flames in two though unknowingly getting the flames to hit the legs of the water tower causing them to heat up.
"Funny, I could say the same about you." Rana said sticking out her tongue while Rex runs up the hill and fire his hook at the water tower.
"Poppi! Cattleya, now!" Rex shouted.
"Roger, roger." Poppi fly toward Rex to grab the line.
"I'm on it!" Cattleya nodded as she super jumps behind Poppi to grab the line as well.
"What the…" Leina tried to figure out what they're up to.
"Hey! Bet you guys can't keep track of me!" Swan mocked as she starts running around the Inquisitors and their Blades in a blurry tornado of herself as she is to keep them distracted for just a little while.
Morag look up seeing the water tower is bending toward them, quickly figuring out their plan.
"You are starting to annoy me!" Claudette angered, emitting her fist in lightning.
Cattleya and Poppi's combined strength easily pull the water tower down spilling all the water from the inside and splashing on the ground catching the opponents' feet and Swan immediately stop run.
"No, wait!" Morag tried to Claudette to stop.
But it was too late, not only did the water hurt Brighid as she kneels down but Claudette slammed her lightning fist on the ground causing electric currents to zap her own comrades as she quickly realize this and pull out her fist. Then Rex and Pyra jumps high above them as they will unleash their most powerful attack.
"BURNING SWORD" Rex and Pyra slashed down at the ground causing a big explosion engulfing the scene.
When the dust clear, the Inquisitors and Blades look around discovering that Rex and his group are no where to be seen meaning the explosion was a means of distraction for their escape.
"I feel slighted." Morag said.
"What do you mean?" Brighid asked as Leina and Claudette look at Morag as well.
"That boy with the Aegis, they actually held back against me in battle." Morag answered, slightly angry.
"I see, they could've struck us with that attack, but they misfire on purpose." Leina said, understanding this much.
"He certainly has good instinct." Brighid admitted.
"Not to mention Rana was able to catch on with his plan so quickly." Leina added, knowing Rana let his Blade help Rex.
Morag remembers the words Rex told her about helping Pyra remembering the strong determination in his eyes and the strong spirit Leina mentioned as well, then suddenly her heart skips a beat.
"The Aegis… if she is traveling with that cute boy, perhaps it is worth letting them roam free for a while." Morag said as her cheeks blushes a bit.
"Morag, did you just called that boy cute?" Leina asked, holding in her laugh as Morag realize what she said.
"N-No, of course not! Don't be ridiculous, as if I said say such things to a boy who a few years younger than me." Morag denied.
"To be quite honest, I did find Rana to be a little handsome." Leina confessed, shocking her fellow Inquisitor.
"Sounds like that Rex kid did more than struck her pride." Claudette pointed out.
"Maybe you're right." Brighid giggled.
KO a new chapter is done and hope you all enjoy it!
Rex and Rana's group have escape from the Inquisitor Duo after surviving a tough battle against them seeing the difference in strength and they have more experience in combat as well, but in the end our young heroes are now heading off to find a way to the world tree. Although, it looks like the Salvage boys have cause Morag and Leina a sudden crush on them, though Morag doesn't believe that unlike Leina.
KO comment, favorite, and follow through of how this story will go!