Elysium's Heroes
Chapter 8. The Wisdom Of The Architect
"So, Pandoria? What do you want the future of blades to be?" Rex asked as the group walked the hallways of the Kingdom of Tantal to find Zeke. "In short, if you could make it so blades die alongside their driver, then I don't think you will get many complaints from anyone." Pandoria answered. "Noted." Rex said with a frown. "Hey Rex, what's the matter? Isn't this what you want as well? Mythra asked Rex rather concerned. "Not here, we'll talk about it later if that's okay?" "Of course." Mythra answered.
Pyra and Mythra tried to communicate through telepathy. Even though they were now 2 separate people, they still shared the same Core Crystal. With the same data. "What do you think is wrong with Rex, Pyra?" "I have absolutely no idea Mythra, I thought this is what he wanted. I thought he would be happy that all our friends want the same thing." "Maybe he is acting out of selflessness and doesn't want this at all." Mythra said. "What? that's absurd right? Rex would want everyone to be happy." "We shall see…" "But… Rex would want everyone to be happy…"
The group walked up to the King and the Prince and told them of their plans. "I see," The king simply said. Scratching his beard with closed eyes it went quiet for a bit. "So, you see your highness. Blades deserve to live alongside humans like equals." Rex said to break the silence. "It was the wish of the Architect to make the world a place where humans of our past wouldn't be able to make the same mistakes." "And what did the Architect say about us? Did we live up to his expectations?" The King asked the Master Driver. "He said we almost didn't change from past humans. We are still greedy, still selfish, and still not perfect. However, we showed promise by wanting to fight for a world where everyone could be equal. Humans and Blades living in harmony on Titans. Titans themselves would be treated equally, with the same respect as any other living being."
"I see." The King repeated. "I see no flaws with your plan. Maybe this is what is needed to change the world for the better. Maybe this is what is needed to finally put an end to these pointless wars about power and living space." "Thank you, your highness."
Pandoria got back with the Prince and the trio walked towards the black market to search for their comrades. "It looks like the others aren't here." Pyra said as the trio looked around. "I already thought so, Tora being a Nopon would find all of these way to expensive."
The gang got back together on the top of Azurda were they needed to come up with what to do next. "Couldn't find anything eh? Tora?" Rex asked the Nopon. "Petty thievery is what it is! Tora could find much better-quality materials anywhere else for much cheaper!" The Nopon stated. "Maybe Rex Rex could fetch some materials for Tora by salvaging?" "We have something bigger to deal with at the moment Tora." The Master Driver sighed. So, what are you going to do now Rex? Nia asked. Everyone looked at Rex. Even Azurda tilted his head backwards to hear what Rex was going to say.
"Everyone, I would like all of us to sit down and talk for a bit. I need to get something of my chest." The gang looked surprised but simply obeyed as everyone sat down on a circle and made a fire. "Pyra do you still have some rations?" Rex asked. "Yes, I packed some in your field pouch." "Thanks, Pyra." Rex gave everyone some food and got back to where he sat down.
"I would like to thank everyone for everything. Without all of your help, Pyra, Mythra and I would never have been able to reach Elysium. "Especially you Nia, if you didn't talk some sense into me back then I would have given up." "Tchh, Don't mention it, I wanted to beat some sense into you from the moment we met." Nia smirked. "Haha, anyway now that we have our answers, I would like all of you to think back when we were with the Architect." "Yeah? What about him?" Nia asked. "Do you remember what Klaus said? About Blades transferring data to the Aegis to prevent humans from making the same mistakes?" "Yes, The Architect specifically created us for that purpose." Dromarch added. Rex nodded. "If we make Blades mortal, wouldn't we ruin his entire plan? And when Pyra and Mythra eventually die. There will be no Aegis anymore to send data to, so the Architects plan would be foiled by us…"
"Rex…" Pyra whispered.
"Is this why you were concerned when we were walking to the king?" Mythra asked.
"We might make the mistake of a lifetime if we do this. And after the connection with the conduit is broken. There will be no plan B."
Everyone went quiet. "maybe you shouldn't make any changes at all and accept the world for what it is." Azurda said. "But gramps, everyone deserves a chance! would you really be okay with living like this!?" "Eventually I will die too, and Blades will become titans of their own so eventually everyone will die." "Except Pyra and Mythra!" Rex stated. Azurda went quiet.
"This isn't fair!" Rex screamed and angerly threw his plastic plate in the fire and stomped off to his hut. "He is right you know." Nia said with her head tilted down. "Nia…" Pyra said surprised. "Out of everyone here you 2 deserve a happy afterlife the most. You saved Alrest twice, Gave everyone hope and helped us find our place in the world. Pyra and Mythra were shocked. For the longest time they tried to find their place in the world, find out what their reason was to exist. And instead, they helped their friends find theirs. "This is why Master Rex is so upset, he wants to help you find yours. Fight for yours." Dromarch added. The Aegises looked at each other and nodded. "We will talk with him." and they walked towards Rex's hut.
"Rex…?" Rex was laying on his bed with his head in the pillow. "I'm sorry I got so upset." He said as he got up. "It's fine, we cannot express enough how much we appreciate you for helping us find our place in the world." "Then what do I need to do? I cannot just abandon you when my time is over!" Rex started to get tears in his eyes. "I feel so powerless. I don't want to lose you again." Pyra and Mythra sat next to Rex on his bed. "I do not want to lose you again." "I cannot lose you again." Both Aegises hugged the Master Driver from both sides. all 3 of them sharing their tears and grief. "we're so sorry Rex." all 3 of them shared their sorrow.
"Why Father, Why did you make us this way?" Mythra cried. "To secure peace" The Aegises and their driver heard a voice talking to them, but there was no one around. "Father!?" "Yes, my children, but I'm afraid I can't do this for very long, I must speak with you urgently. Rex, you have shown me that you can carry the fear of the Aegis. you have saved my creation of the world and even showed light in Logos's path. I cannot bear the sight of you losing all of this thanks to my mistakes. So, I will tell you what you must do." "Architect… sir… Klaus… thank you!" "Father, Thank you so much. We thought you were dead." "You're welcome my children. And although my body may be at rest, my spirit still lives on in Elysium. But we don't have much time. What Addam said about the Conduit is true, but I am afraid you are too late, Your connection to the little gaps of the Conduit that still transfer power to you is gone. Too little to fully change fate of the Blades. However, there is another way." "What do we need to do Klaus sir?" "You need The combined efforts of The Artifices Ophion and Siren. Their power combined might be enough to fully change reality. Your connection with the Conduit is now fully gone. You will still be able to go into the form of Pneuma, but you won't be able to use the power of the Conduit. You will have to make do with what power we have in this world." "But Father, Ophion is no longer under my control, I can't reach him anymore since Malos corrupted him." "I believe in you. You can reach him. Believe in yourself." "But Klaus how can we make sure that Blades still transfer their data? How can we prevent people making the same mistakes?" "Pneuma, do you desire to be mortal?" Pyra and Mythra went into the form of Pneuma without even noticing. Pneuma went quiet. Then she gave a determined look and turned to Rex "There is nothing more that I want than to be with the man I love. Here now and forever in the afterlife." "Then you need to go to the Cliffs of Morytha, convince Ophion and Siren to help you and change the future of the blades to be mortal. However, in your case, make it so you can reincarnate after your soul leaves your body, eventually your Core Crystal will be reformed, reawakened but with a different personality a different appearance as your personality and appearance will be linked to your soul, which will join your Driver in the afterlife. Tears started forming in Pneuma's eyes "Thank you! Thank you, Father!" "One more thing, Because The Aegis biologically does not need a driver you need to give Rex half of your life force again. To maintain the connection, you have. however, this time as it will be done by natural forces you won't share pain, you will share pleasure. Pneuma now with full tears in her eyes "Thank you Father! Of course, I will do that!" You have already made me so proud of you, my children. This is your reward. And may I ever see you again when we will join each other In Elysium. Now go my children. Go before it's too late." And with that Rex and Pneuma awoke in Rex's hut.
