Chapter 58

...Curse you, university, for sucking away basically all my free time.

"Andrew," spoke Miqol. I sensed him focus his gaze on me despite his eyes never opening. "How have you been?"

"Not bad," I replied. I'm not dead, anyway. "But we wanted to talk with you," I spoke. "About... uh... stuff."

"Wait... Andrew, you know Miqol?" asked Shulk. "When did that occur?"

"I'll tell you later," I replied. "He's kinda connected with the surgery Linada helped me with, so... tell you later?"

Shulk released a sigh, and I sensed Riki and Melia not quite being content, either. "Alright... erm..." He turned to face Miqol. "We were told by Linada that you could answer some of the questions we had?" spoke Shulk, stepping forward.

"Indeed, I can," spoke Miqol. "Though I have a question of my own to ask first, if that's alright... young man, there." Miqol's gaze moved to Shulk now. "Is the sword you hold there the Monado?"

"It is," spoke Shulk, nodding.

Miqol nodded, mostly to himself, it felt. "And the fortress' destruction on the sword... was there your lot's doing?" he spoke.

"Eh... mostly?" I spoke. "I mean... yeah? Sorta? Uh, in any case, we didn't stop Egil. He escaped."

"Egil..." Miqol gave a short, near inaudible sigh. "Alright. Egil is one of our people. Particularly... my son." There came a certain seriousness to Miqol now, and I felt my body shiver. "I have a request concerning him." Shulk let out a soft noise from his throat before Miqol spoke again. "I would like to ask... that you kill Egil."

"May I ask why you would ask such a thing of us?" spoke Melia, a slight frown touching across her face.

Miqol released a louder sigh this time. "Nowadays, there are very few Machina left on Mechonis," he spoke. "Back when the Bionis and the Mechonis were still fighting... the Bionis almost completely wiped us out." A tinge of puzzlement and remnants of bitterness entered his voice. "I suppose the Bionis simply did not want us around." He cleared his throat. "Lady Meyneth fought the Bionis for us. And in the end, the two titans were deeply wounded, thus entering their long slumber."

...Time for a history lesson? I thought, scrunching my brow slightly.

"Who is Lady Meyneth?" questioned Melia.

"The creator of the Mechonis," responded Miqol. "You could go as far as to say that she is the Mechonis itself."

"Hm..." Shulk placed a hand under his chin, processing the information. "Alright... if I may ask... was this not all a long time ago?" he spoke. "Several... millennia, I believe, even. But... you speak as though you saw it with your own eyes."

A chuckle came from the Machina. "I rather appear to be young, but I'm rather old," he spoke. "I speak as though I saw it with my own eyes... because I did."

"Ah..." Melia nodded. "If that's the case... it must be that Machina have long lifespans. Similarly to how we High Entia have lifespans far exceeding that of a Homs," she spoke.

"Mm," spoke Shulk. "Miqol... why do you want your son dead?" he asked. "Given what you've told us, I would have thought you would rather we try to kill the Bionis than your own son."

"Egil... was a brilliant, young man," spoke Miqol. He leaned back, regret entering his tone. "Clever, strong, kind to the less able... but he never forgave the Bionis for what it did. He swore he would have revenge.

"In other words, he is trying to eradicate all life on the Bionis." Miqol's voice hardened. "He must be stopped."

"You ever try stopping him?" I asked.

"Once. A lot of people were slain that day," spoke Miqol, shaking his head. "His quest for vengeance has blinded him. Even Lady Meyneth could not convince him to stop."

"Do you know where Egil is now?" spoke Shulk.

"If I were to guess... it would likely be the Mechonis capital," spoke Miqol. "He is attempting to restore it to its former glory by himself."

"I... feel sorry for him," murmured Shulk, looking downwards.

"Why's that?" I spoke. "I mean, back on the fortress, he was referring to all the Faced Mechon as his slaves and stuff. Plus he's tried to kill us, and he locked up the Monado, too, you know?"

"I'm aware," replied Shulk. "But hearing all that Miqol's said so far... Egil's clearly been through a lot in his life. Don't you feel at least a little sympathy for him?"

I narrowed my eyes, frowning. "Hm... sure, he's been through a lot. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel anything like pity. But life ain't fair, ya know?" I spoke. "Feeling sorry for yourself, chasing and getting vengeance... all it does is waste your time and energy, and leave you empty inside. If you have time to complain, whine, plot... you have time to make your life better, get yourself out of whatever situation you're in."

"Mm..." Shulk glanced sideways. "I... don't think you're wrong, but..."

I shrugged. "Whatever."

"If there is nothing else..." Miqol waited a moment, and continued when no one spoke. "All of you must be tired. Take your time and talk it over. And until the young lady's treatment is complete, feel free to walk around the village." He released a boisterous laugh at the end.

Riki bounced up with a quiet cheer, making Shulk's lips curve slightly into a smile as he looked at the Nopon.

"Alright, then..." I yawned. "Maybe we ought to go take a look and see if Fiora's any better?"

"Good idea," nodded Shulk. "You look pretty tired though. Maybe you ought to rest for a little bit?" he spoke.

"If there's any beds around, then sure," I spoke.

"Go down the hall. Third door on the right should have a few," spoke Miqol.

"Ah..." I turned to nod at the Machina. "Thanks, Miqol." He responded with a smile and a nod. "Alright, then. You guys gonna check up on Fiora then?" I hid another yawn behind my hand. "Ngh..."

Melia shook her head. "I feel rather drowsy as well, so I'll accompany you."

"Ooh! Riki go with Melly!" spoke Riki, face contorting into a yawn of his own. "Mm... Riki feel very sleepy..."

"Alright. You guys rest up," spoke Shuk. "I'm gonna go check up on Fiora, then I'll join with you guys." He stretched, before moving out of the room at a brisk jog.

"Thank you," I called to Miqol, nodding to him, before exiting the room with Melia and Riki. "Let's see..." I counted the doors as we walked down the hallway. "Third on the right... there." I opened the door and looked inside.

The room was dark, yet from the light in the hallway, I could clearly see a few beds. Beside each bed was a small desk, and atop each of those were small lamps.

"Perfect." I set my sword to lean against the nearby wall and took off the rings for my gauntlets and greaves, setting those to rest atop the nearby desk as I lay down under the covers of one of the beds. "Pretty comfortable too..." I mumbled.

Melia sighed, resting her staff against the wall similarly to my sword, sitting atop one of the other beds. "So... are you going to tell us about your surgery?" she asked. Riki moved into her lap, and she gave him some headpats, making him nuzzle closer to her.

I threw the sheets off my body, knowing if I stayed under them sleep would claim me. "...Alright. You remember how we got separated on Valek Mountain? By the... Avalanche Abaasy?" I spoke. Melia nodded. "I landed in Sword Valley, basically. And to keep this short, since I'll probably need to tell Shulk and Sharla later... I got in a fight and got messed up," I spoke. "Got lucky. I passed out eventually, and when I came to, Linada had already saved my life."

"So you were already in the Mechonis Village..." spoke Melia. "Hm. Then you likely would have met up with Miqol at that time... How did you manage to return to us in time to battle Mumkhar, then?"

"Well... Linada told me 'bout, like, a teleporter. So using that, I managed to get back," I replied. "And... the rest you should know."

"Mm..." Melia nodded, eyes closed. "I see... ah, wait." She opened her eyes. "Your arm, is it alright?"

"Eh? What?" I tilted my head. "What do you mean?" I don't think I've taken a hit to my arm recently...

"Remember? When you were forced out of that... airship and landed on my ice platforms? Your arms were bleeding quite profusely, the skin was torn away," spoke Melia.

I paused. Let's see... after we beat Mumkhar... I went down to fight Vergil, and we got captured and- "Ah." I nodded. "Right. Er..." I looked at the rolled up sleeve of my left arm. Nothing seemed out of place to my sight or my senses. "Huh. Looks like I'm okay." I shrugged. "Guess Sharla's healing rounds are a lot more then I thought. Nice." Come to think of it... during the fight with Mumkhar, Shulk's lungs got super messed up, I think, right? Was it Sharla's bullets that...?

I felt a slight frown come to my face. Dunno... maybe, but something tells me there's more to it then just a super medic...

"...Alright, thank you." Melia lay down. "...You're not lying to me, are you, Andrew?"

"Nah," I replied, settling under the covers. "No point to it in this case."

"Mm..." The princess nodded, lying atop the covers of the bed, arms wrapped around Riki like one might a plushie, the Heropon already snoring gently. I felt a smile come to my face at the scene, before I drew the covers of the bed I currently lay on.

Let's see... Casting my senses outward, I noted Shulk enter the room where Linada, Sharla and Fiora currently were. After this... if I remember correctly, we go out and get some component from a Mechon, I think...? Eh, whatever. I allowed my body to relax. I'll find out soon anyway...

Speaking of this though... wonder how everyone else wound up after we got separated... I mean, probably alright since they're all here now, but... I shook my head. Eh. I'll just ask later. I released a breath, clearing my mind, thoughts scattering.

Sleep came over me quickly after that.

I groaned, blinking my way to consciousness. Rubbing my eyes, I sat upright, stretching out.

Shulk lay atop the covers on one of the beds, and Sharla occupied another. Melia and Riki, judging from their breathing, seemed to be in a deep sleep.

I nodded to myself, adjusting the metallic rings back around my body and settling my sword to its usual place on my back. Hungry... sore too... I felt a slight frown come to my face. Wonder if there's anything to eat...

Walking out of the room, I hummed to myself. "Hm..." Well... let's see how Fiora's doing. Probably not awake, but hopefully she's okay... I glanced up, ascending the nearby staircase ramp. I held back another yawn, cracking my neck as I slowly approached the door.

It opened up to reveal Linada and Fiora inside. "Who is- ah." Linada nodded towards me. "Andrew."

"Linada," I greeted, nodding back. "Has she improved any?" I mean, no, but...

"Fiora has stabilized, at the least," spoke the doctor from where she sat. "However, if she were to move from this bed -which is what is helping keep her stable- then she will need a specific unit to help, essentially. A Piezoelectric Unit, which can be salvaged from Mechon parts. Particularly, Digit 5 should have one, likely."

"Hm... is it like that thing I got back with the teleporter?" I spoke.

"Indeed... however, that teleporter was old. The unit, along with the teleporter, are likely fried beyond salvation now," she spoke.

"Mm... alright. Then we just gotta do it again," I spoke. "Good to know."

"Andrew... how has your arm been?" spoke Linada. "The metal replacing your bones has been alright?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah," I replied. "I haven't noticed a difference at all. It's amazing." I looked my arm over. "I probably haven't thanked you enough for it, honestly... if I did at all. So, thank you." I bowed my head.

"No need for thanks." Amusement bubbled within Linada's voice. "I'm a doctor. Saving lives is what I do."

"Mm..." I stopped, looking over to see Fiora stirring. "Tha... that voice..." Her words are slurred and blurry with sleep, though it sounded almost as though she were drunk. "Is it... Andrew...?"

"Yeah." I nodded to Linada again before walking closer to Fiora. "Feelin' okay?" I leaned against the nearby wall, watching her.

"I'm alright, thank you," responded Fiora, her eyes opening. Clarity shone within them as she focused her gaze on me. "...Thanks for telling me..." She looked away for a moment, swallowing. "About... Reyn and Dunban."

I rubbed my eyes, holding back a sigh. "Don't thank me. Ain't necessary." Not like we would've or could've hid it long anyway.

"Well, I want to," she spoke. "And... thanks for accompanying Shulk this whole time."

"Once again, no need to thank me." I grunted, shifting away from the wall. "Uh... anyway, just hold on tight. We'll be back pretty soon, and you should be good to go after that," I spoke.

"Yeah..." She nodded slowly, as if drowsy. Fiora's eyes closed and it seemed sleep took her again.

I breathed out. "Alright. Do you know where I could find a bite to eat?" I asked Linada, moving closer to the doorway. "Er... if it's alright to ask, of course."

"It's fine," she responded. "Hm... just outside the village there should be some assorted nuts and such you could safely scavenge and consume... other than that, there is the avenue of fishing to consider."

I nodded. "Alright, thanks. And thank you for taking care of Fiora and helping us, and me with that surgery, and..." I stopped. "Geez... you've done a lot, and I feel like we haven't done anything in return."

A chuckle escaped Linada. "Don't worry too much. If I'm able to be of assistance, that is a good enough gift in of itself."

"...If you say so." Wonder if Linada would like anything... something to think about, I guess. "Alright, thanks again." I bowed before exiting. Hm... the others are probably pretty hungry too... guess I could fetch them and we could go together?

Reaching the room again, I entered to find everyone sans Shulk conscious. "Morning," I spoke quietly, with the others echoing similar responses.

"So..." Sharla stretched for a moment, before relaxing. "What do you guys wanna do?"

"You know about the unit thing we gotta get for Fiora?" I spoke, sitting on my bed. Sharla nodded. "Maybe we should eat something and go out for it."

""Unit thing?" What are you referring to?" wondered Melia.

I zoned out Sharla's explanation and drew my sword, looking over the blade. I doubt it's dulled... Riki's biter seems as sharp as when he first got it, and Dunban's sword too. How interesting. A slight frown came to my face. Come to think of it... rarely are we switching out our equipment. Usually it breaks before we change it.

And Riki's biter doesn't have anti-Mechon properties, yet back in the fortress, he was doing good. Did everyone get new weapons? If so, when? "Huh," I breathed out.

"Is something bothering Andrew?" I blinked to see Riki stand in front of me, eyes set on me.

"Ah... hey, Riki. Uh... did you and the others all get new weapons fairly recently?" I spoke.

"Hm...? Ah! Right. Riki remember, Andrew not there," spoke the Nopon. "After Valek Mountain, at Sword Valley, we all get new weapons. Riki get shiny Biter! See?" He drew his weapon and thrust it towards me.

"Mm... alright, thanks." Seems so... "Alright." I rose, withdrawing my sword. "Think we should wake up Shulk and set out and stuff?"

"I got it." Melia moved over to the blonde and gently started shaking his shoulder. I nodded, before exiting the room and leaving Junks.

"Phew..." I took a deep whiff of the fresh, morning air. With all the craziness and my own ignorance... I haven't really experienced much of Xenoblade's world. Honestly, it's beautiful. A wondrous change of pace from real life that is desperately trying to kill me. I felt a wry smile come to my face as I moved away from Junks. Y'know though... I didn't really dwell too long on Reyn and Dunban dying. I probably ought to have... them being dead might change this story a ton.

Who am I kidding? I shook my head. This story's already a mess.

Maybe I should talk with Riki a little... as rude and tactless as it is to think, he is... partially why Reyn ain't here. I mean, they were in really bad shape back there, Sharla realistically couldn't save both of 'em, but... and it's late, but... better late than never, I guess. Bet Melia's already conversed with him, though...

I grunted. Alright, just something to keep in mind. Anyway, let's see... we should be heading to...

I felt a shiver rush through my body all of a sudden. Huh...? It's not cold. Why am I...? I shrugged. ...It's... probably not important. I hope.

"Hey, morning." I started, turning to see Shulk followed by Melia and Riki. I echoed the blonde's greeting. "You know about the Piezoelectric Unit for Fiora, right?"

"Yeah." No Sharla... guess she's sticking behind like in-game. "Alright. So, time to head out?"

"Right," answered Melia. "Though I admit, I am currently rather famished."

"Riki too," spoke the Heropon, releasing a cute, little yawn. "Mm... but Riki ready to go!"

Shulk nodded, smiling. "Yeah... I was talking to some of the other Machina yesterday. There should be a fair few edible sources fairly close by to Digit 5, where we can get the unit for Fiora."

I nodded slowly, feeling my stomach grumble. ...Ugh. "Mm. Let's go, then." I turned to walk out, slowing my pace until Shulk had passed me.

I stopped, feeling another shiver run across my body. Blinking, I looked at my hand, to see it trembling slightly.

I shook my head and took at a brisk pace to catch up with the other three.

Thank you for reading.