As they marched past the docks, they were making their way through a tunnel that led to a snow environment. Once they made it through the tunnel, they saw the world around them inside Genbu's shell. Despite the cold, it was a view unlike anything.
Zeke and Pandoria led them through the fields towards the kingdom. Lilika stayed close by to Brighid for warmth. Robyn and Mòrag walked by each other, tanking the cold. Nia, on the other hand, was very clingy with Pyra. She hummed while she admired the warmth Pyra had.
"H-hey, Nia…do you, um, mind…?" Pyra asked while looking down at the cat girl
"Hehehe, c'mooon, it's not so bad. You're just so warm. I can't help it!" Nia whined a bit when she let go of her for a moment.
"It's a function of what's known as infrared radiation." Azurda said.
"Gramps knows everything." Rex said.
"I'm…not your personal heater, you know." Pyra said while holding her heart.
"M-my lady. If you desire warmth, why not take some of mine? Ms. Pyra seems a bit distress." Dromarch offered.
"No way! Your fur is all stiff and spiky with the cold. It'd be murder on my sensitive skin." Nia spat.
"But…my lady." Dromarch said in a defeated voice while looking down.
Nia then looked up and saw strange energy waves flowing on the walls.
"Hey, is it just me, or are these ether lines really dim?" Nia asked.
"What is meaning of 'ether lines?'" Poppi asked with a raised hand.
"I second that." Lilika asked.
"Y'know, those things, the glowing threads that run inside a Titan." Nia pointed out.
"That is the glow of pure ether coursing through the Titan's body. You can compare it to the bloodstream of a human." Dromarch answered.
"You got good eyes. Genbu has bad circulation compared to other Titans. They say it's why we have a cold climate and awful crops." Zeke added on to Dromarch's explanation.
"So it's…cold-blooded?" Rex asked.
"Heh, call it what you like." Zeke said.
"Come to think of it, Brighid and Lady Pyra are the only Blades here who can generate heat. It is quite concerning." Mayonaka pointed out when she saw the two fire Blades.
"Perhaps. But I'm sure once we keep moving, we'll reach some sort of heat soon enough." Robyn said.
"I really don't get it Robyn. But...how are you tanking the cold so well?" Jacu asked while rubbing her arms to keep warm.
"Hmph. When you spend most of your life playing in the snow and cold for as long as I have, you tend to build up tolerance." He answered.
"He's a winter lover. I prefer heat that feels like a warm blanket." Lilika said.
"How much further is it to Tantal?" Agate asked Zeke.
"Not too far now. Once we get up that hill, and cross a bridge, Tantal will be in sight." Zeke answered.
"Good thing, too. Finch's wings are starting to freeze." Finch said while flapping her wings.
Once they started to reach the bridge Zeke mentioned earlier, they saw the kingdom of Tantal in their sight. One problem…the wind current around them. It was most unwelcomed.
"Just…don't look down." Roc called out.
"No worries." Kassandra said.
Robyn then slipped and landed by the edge. He saw the bottom.
"GUYS! IM LOOKING DOWN!" He shouted with wide eyes.
"Robyn! Hold onto Poppi!" Poppi yelled while reaching for him.
"Thanks Poppi!" Robyn yelled as he took her hand and she pulled him away.
"You alright?" Mòrag asked with concern.
"Yeah. There's always a downside or two of liking your favorite season." Robyn said.
"True." Lilika said while nodding.
After that, they finally reached the entrance to Tantal. They stopped while they began to see it with their own eyes.
"Oh my! This is the very picture of the ancient civilization I've read about!" Mòrag said while looking upwards and held Robyn's hand.
"It's a pretty classic look. You know the old land of Torna? They had a proud and noble civilization only rivaled by Judicium at the time. But whereas Judicium were the masters of biological arts…Torna knew all there was to know about engineering. The pure blood of Torna runs in the veins of the Tantalese." Zeke explained.
"That is quite impressive Lord Zeke." Mayonaka said.
"As there are people to pass it on to, civilization will endure. Knowledge is inherited much like life itself." Dromarch said.
"Nice quote! You should write it down." Nia said with a small smile.
"Thank you." Dromarch said.
"Perhaps he can help recreate those fortune cookies we used to have, eh Lilika?" Robyn asked.
"Maybe." Lilika said.
"It's not that simple though. You'll see…" Zeke said while looking back at the entrance.
Upon entering through the gates, they arrived at Theosoir and saw what more Tantal had in store for them…sort of. They saw very little population, and small shops around. There was a huge opening that led to the king's audience chamber.
"Whoa, that's a pretty lively market." Nia said with a look of impress.
"It's the black market." Zeke corrected her.
"Black market?" Nia asked.
"Tantal is so cold, there's precious little in the way of local produce to sell. Just look." Zeke said while looking at back to where they came. "All the regular shops are shuttered." He finished.
"You're right, they're mostly empty." Rex said.
"Instead, folks pay ungodly prices…for produce that's been smuggled in from other nations. And since it's the only thing keeping people from actually starving, the bigwigs just turn a blind eye." Zeke said.
"So most of the agricultural production is wasted just surviving, and the country grows weak…" Brighid said.
"People have to do this to live…all because of being isolated? And the king turns a blind eye to his people suffering? I hate him already." Lilika said.
"That's my father, King Eulogimenos for you." Zeke said.
"And we are here to meet with this man, who ignores the plights of his people? The man seems unfit to rule justly." Mayonaka said while getting mad.
"So even the wisdom of a proud ancient civilization cannot solve all problems…" Mòrag said.
"Ancient civilization sounds good an all…but basically, this place is a giant museum with no tourist. That's not gonna feed anyone. But either way, come on. My old man awaits." Zeke said.
"Right." Kasandra said.
As they made their way towards the audience chamber, they saw all the shops around them. Some were definitely selling items from outside Tantal. To Lilika and Robyn, this was rather sickening.
"I don't like this…I get the feeling that this King Eulogimenos is not just what Zeke said." Robyn said.
"Robyn?" Theory asked.
"You mean that there's more to him than meets the eye?" Mòrag asked. Robyn nodded to her. "For what I learned so far, I don't think we can trust anyone here but this group." She added.
"There must be. After all, he's doing nothing for the Tantalese." Lilika said.
"Perhaps so. I suggest we all be on high alert and on guard." Mayonaka said while gripping her halberd.
As they entered the palace, they met up with a servant of the king waiting for them.
"We have been expecting you, Your Highness." The servant said.
"Yeah, yeah. Good to see ya. Is the old man inside?" Zeke asked him.
"Indeed. He has been eagerly waiting your return." He spoke.
"Hah! Now I know you're lying. Armus'll fly before that man welcomes me home. No need to coddle me, mate." Zeke said with his hands on his hips.
"Apologies." The servant said.
"Any case seems he knows we're coming. That'll save time." Zeke said.
"He must be happy to reunite with his son." Kasandra said with a smile.
"Don't count on it." Jacu whispered to her as they followed the servant to the chamber.
As they got further, Mòrag looked up and saw a panel with ether being channeled inside a core piece.
"Could it be…?" She asked. Brighid, Robyn and Lilika stopped by her. "No…" She whispered.
"What's wrong?" Lilika asked while they looked at the panel.
"Ether?" Robyn asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes…Tora?" Mòrag asked when he and Poppi joined them. "I need you to not use any reserved ether from your furnace." She spoke.
"Just in case we can't fight?" Praxis asked.
"I'll explain later." She spoke.
"All right then. Leave it to Tora." Tora said.
They finally entered the audience chamber. Mòrag was the first to enter with Brighid. Robyn and Lilika were right behind them with Rex beside Robyn. They saw guards everywhere. They saw King Eulogimenos sitting on his throne looking down at them. They all knelt down before him.
Rex presented the message to the servant. He took it and gave it to Eulogimenos. He read it and looked back at the group.
"The Aegis…I presume." He spoke when he eyed Pyra.
Suddenly, everyone looked up as he tore the message to shreds, and guards surrounded them. Everyone shot upwards.
"Guards!? My lady!" Dromarch yelled.
"WHAT THE!? W…what did we do wrong!?" Lilika demanded.
"No idea! Stop this at once! Dad!" Zeke yelled while fighting off a guard.
"Why would you attack us unprovoked?" Mayonaka demanded while she aimed her halberd at the guards.
"Enough of this." Jacu said to herself as she went to down with the guards. She threw some, knocked some out, and even snapped a spine.
"Yeesh…what a woman." Robyn said while processing what just happened.
Eulogimenos raised a hand at Pyra. Electricity shot down at her from a panel above. As she shrieked in pain, Rex felt her pain. The device came down and entrapped Pyra in it.
"Pyra!" Rex yelled with fright.
"Please do not resist. My goal is to destroy the Aegis…I have no wish to take your lives also." Eulogimenos said.
"King Eulogimenos. I stand before you as a special envoy of Mor Ardain. The emperor sent me here himself. Do you realize what you are doing?" Mòrag demanded with a look of fury.
"I am quite aware. And prepared to face the consequences. Now as for the ancient ones that were told…I will have you in reserves to ensure that our would of Alrest lives on to prevent it from being burned!" Eulogimenos yelled while glaring at Lilika and Robyn. Lilika was struggling to contain herself. "It seems the female ancient one has something to say. Since you two have awoke after 2000 years, I'll allow you the time to shine." He added.
Lilika took a deep breath and clenched her fists.
"Listen, Kingy, I've HAD IT with that naming! Secondly, ordinarily I'd speak with respect to royalty…but something tells me you're a 'sacrifice for the greater good' type, and I hate that! Clean your ears and listen well! That girl isn't just called 'the Aegis,' she has a name…Pyra. She has done no wrong now. She would rather not use her great power as Mythra unless she had no other option. Before you try to kill her…her Driver's life is connected with her own. So, if you kill her, you'll be killing Rex as well. Is this something you'd be willing to do? And don't you dare give me that 'it is a small price to pay to ensure the survival of Alrest', spiel! It is EXTREMELY cliché! Diverting from her a bit, don't you realize how things are with your people right now? Illegal dealings have to be done so everyone can survive…all because Tantal is closed off from the rest of the world! Back to her…won't you at least let her defend herself before you take her away to be executed for doing absolutely nothing!?" Lilika ranted, but she felt all the more satisfying to get that off her chest.
Eulogimenos glared at her when she said all of that. He got off his throne and walked towards the group.
"Your words are strong…but foolish. Have you not realized what THAT Aegis has done!? Several continents fell because of it. And now you're saying you demand her to defend herself!?" He yelled back at her.
"All she's done today is appear before you! The Aegis you should seek to destroy is Malos. Pyra, as Mythra, attempted to stop the Aegis awakened by the Praetor! Has your pride blinded you!? From an outsider standpoint, I believe you are unfit to rule!" Lilika retaliated.
His anger grew from that.
"You idiot!" Robyn yelled at her.
"Fine then. After she dies, you're next!" Eulogimenos threatened.
"NO!" Zeke shouted.
"Wait! I have a message from Addam himself!" Pyra yelled.
"What!?" Eulogimenos asked while everyone looked at her.
"If you free me, I can give it to you." Pyra offered.
Eulogimenos glared at her for a moment. Rex looked at her with confusion.
"Fine…but no funny business." He said while he released her, causing her to land on her front. She and Rex grunted in pain from the impact.
"Lord Rex! Lovely Lady Pyra! Are you both alright?" Mayonaka asked while helping them up.
"Yeah…" Rex growled a bit.
Pyra took off her earring and activated it. A hologram of a man in a white robe with his hood up, barely showing his face appeared.
"Hear me, my scions. I am Addam Origo. This day I seal the Aegis away from the world. But this seal is not for eternity. In anticipation of the day that humanity becomes worthy of the Aegis's power…I entrust her with prosperity. She is our hope. When mankind has matured and learned to live better lives…she will answer your call and return to you. Trusting that day will come, I leave my final wish to you." Addam spoke in the message.
Everyone was taken aback from what they learned. Eulogimenos sat down on a stone processing what just happened.
"I…I don't…"He said while looking down.
"Dad…" Zeke said.
"Addam foresaw much confusion and hardship in the world ahead. When I seemed unsure, he told me something. 'This is a trial…' Pyra explained a bit more.
Flashback
'Is me sleeping a part of the trial?' Pyra asked.
That's right. It is a trial for us humans. One we must overcome ourselves. If we cannot do that, we don't deserve to live alongside you.' Addam answered.
Flashback ends
"To be honest, I still don't fully understand what he meant by that…whether he simply meant the coexistence of humans and Blades, or something more…but I think he made a difficult choice. For the sake of everyone's survival." Pyra explained more.
"I see…forgive me for my heinous actions. I was just worried, if not paranoid, that something worst than the Aegis War." Eulogimenos said.
"And you couldn't have acted more rationally than that because…?" Lilika asked.
"I panicked." Eulogimenos answered.
This made several people facepalm.
"I…don't know how to respond to that." Mayonaka said while shaking her head.
"I will do whatever I can to compensate you all. In fact…Robyn, Lilika, Zeke and Pandora…there is something that I must show you." He spoke.
"What is it?" Lilika asked when they all straightened up.
"History…and something that might be connected to the World Tree." He said.
"We need it." Lilika said as she stepped forward.
"The rest of you…I will have my guards take you to an inn to rest. I will ensure your safety from now on." Eulogimenos said.
"Thank you." Pyra said while giving him a bit of a bow.
Eulogimenos took the four of them into a storage room where they saw antiques…and some strange panel on the far wall.
"What is that?" Lilika asked.
"Th-this is…" Zeke said while realizing what was going on.
"This is…the legacy of our royal line." Eulogimenos said.
"You can't be serious…why!? Father, why!?" Zeke demanded with a devastating look and voice.
"This 'in my defense' ought to be good." Lilika said.
"I only did it to protect our royal lineage. This was, in a way, a necessary lie." Eulogimenos said.
"No…I will not live this lie!" Zeke yelled.
"No way! You kept this all from us all this time!?" Pandoria yelled.
"Come on Pandy. We're leaving." Zeke demanded.
"Got it." Pandoria spat as they turned around and left the three of them behind.
"That panel…where did you get that?" Robyn asked while they approached the device.
"This was salvaged by the World Tree by the first generation of Salvagers. We believe that this came form the World Tree and we have not known its purpose. Perhaps maybe you two would know something." Eulogimenos said.
"Hmm…I can't say it rings familiar." Lilika said while looking at it closer.
"I wonder…" Robyn said as he slowly placed a hand on the device. It immediately activated.
"Welcome! Voice activation required!" The device yelled just as his hand was placed on it.
"GAH!" They all shouted in shock.
"Uh…Robyn!" Robyn yelled, causing the device to ding.
"Welcome back! Daredevil!" The panel yelled as more touch panels were being displayed.
"Wha-What!?" Lilika asked in shock.
"Updating profile." It said.
Suddenly, a hologram of a woman appeared on the panel.
"To whoever receives this message." The woman spoke.
"Galea!?" Robyn yelled in shock.
"I don't have much time. This message goes to any surviving members of the organization. With Lilika and Robyn sealed away, I fear that Klaus is now too unstable to be reasoned with. The Conduit has been studied, but he is going too far. Operation: Green Aura is the last phase of the Great Tree. A thousand years of storing energy from the Earth will restore her to the prime. We must…" Galea froze up and ended.
"Galea!" Robyn yelled while reaching over the panel.
"Galea…it's been so, so long…but seriously though!? The old 'cut off at the most important part?' No…Galea." Lilika said while clenching her heart.
"This was most unexpecting…I may know what needs to be done. You're after the Omega Fetter, right?" Eulogimenos asked.
"Yes." Lilika answered while they looked at the king.
"It's inside Genbu's head. I will have Zeke and Pandoria take you to it. But for now, I suggest you rest up. Getting there is no easy task, given your…conditions." Eulogimenos said while looking down a bit in shame.
After the both of them left, they saw Zeke and Pandoria outside the inn thinking. Everyone else was in the lobby resting and having a little bite to eat.
"Guys…we found something." Robyn said, gaining their attentions.
"What did you find?" Pyra asked.
"A message from Professor Galea." Lilika answered.
"Who's that?" Mòrag asked.
"A close friend and colleague of ours." Robyn answered. He told them about the message they heard from her. "So this Operation: Green Aura is the final phase of the World Tree." Robyn finished.
"She often worked with Professor Klaus. Either one could be the Architect. Unfortunately, the message cut out before it finished." Lilika said.
"That's unfortunate." Rex said.
"So now what?" Roc asked.
"We must get to the head." Robyn said.
"We should rest up first." Mayonaka suggested.
"Good idea." Robyn said.
After a good few hours, Zeke and Pandoria were waiting outside the inn.
"Our next stop now is the Omega Getter." Pandoria said.
"We are to head for the head. We will have to do some climbing down though. Stick with us, and we'll get you there safely." Zeke said.
"How do we get there?" Agate asked.
"I'm glad you asked. It's straight south from the palace, through Genbu's spinal column." Zeke answered.
"And how do we get down the column?" Rex asked.
"If you head out the palace and down to the left, you'll see the ruins of a temple called Theospiti Temple." Zeke answered.
"Ruins? Even inside city?" Poppi asked.
"Yep. They really are ruined, too. Practically rotted away!" Pandoria yelled a bit.
"Anyway, pat the temple ruins is something called the Theosoir Rear Gate. We head out through there. Then we have to follow the pillars a long way down." Zeke said.
"Urg…sounds like a pain in the arse of a journey." Nia complained.
"We've been through worst." Robyn said.
"Once we get to Genbu's Drifts, we have to head across it. That gets us to a place called the Great Pillar Passage. The Omega Fetter's at the end of that." Zeke said.
"Too long a journey." Finch complained.
"No time for dilly-dallying. Lead us there, Zeke." Jacu said.
As they were making their way out of the rear exit as mentioned, they saw more of what inside Genbu's shell had to offer. It was breathtaking. While they were making their way down, Lilika was hearing Robyn humming.
She realized that song was a personal childhood favorite, 'Following the Leader.'
Cue Heart-to-Heart
"You seem to be in a good mood." Lilika said while smiling.
"Just the view that we are seeing. How can you not be happy about that?" Robyn asked.
"I won't deny that." Mòrag said while looking further out.
"It is beautiful, Lord Robyn." Mayonaka said while smiling.
"Now that you mentioned it…what songs do you enjoy?" Zeke asked while looking back.
"Many! A few songs I can be a tenor and one I can be a bass singer." Robyn answered.
"You're skilled in many things that I am not. I don't have many abilities at all." Lilika pointed out.
"I can teach you if you wish. It's not as hard as you think it is." Robyn offered.
"Thanks!" Lilika yelled happily.
"If it isn't too much to ask…mind giving us a demonstration of a tenor?" Dromarch asked.
"Well…I suppose a little bit won't hurt." He said while preparing himself. He inhaled and heard the sound of the first note in his head. "The snow glow wide on the mount-OUCH!" Robyn shouted as he was cut off when two Core Crystals hit his head.
End Heart-to-Heart
"Robyn!" Theory yelled with her eyes wide.
"Who threw those!" Praxis yelled out while readying her lance.
They saw some Turkins above them with their spears aimed at them.
"Stop singing. Singing bad!" One of them threatened.
"Are they looking for a fight!?" Nia yelled while gripping her rings.
Zeke and Mòrag took the crystals and glared at them.
"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Zeke asked.
"Of course. Not my boyfriend." Mòrag said when they activated the Core Crystals.
"Joke's on you turkeys!" Zeke said as their Blades began to materialize.
The first one that Mòrag summoned had a turquoise crystal glow on a female's chest. She had pale skin, short turquoise hair, teal eyes and she has holes in her stomach and shins through which green light particles can be seen. She wears a white dress made of paper pages with belt straps and armored arms. A large book is attached to a brace around her neck.
"I'm Adenine. I aim to fulfill my intellectual needs through mediums other than books." She said as a windstorm blew around her and bright halo rings formed around her hands. She threw the halos into the air, and they turned into book shape gauntlets. The holes on the gauntlets landed in her hands and blue spikes emerged, along with Beyblades around the spikes. "Time to travel the great wide world…and stimulate the synapse." Adenine finished while striking a pose and pages of words fell around her.
The other crystal materialized with a floral shaped, light blue crystal on a young and skinny boy. He had with short minty-green hair with a slightly brighter strand on top, pink eyes, and fair skin. He also consists of mostly green and pink flora themed clothing, with petals at the forearms, sharp pink fingernails, and butterfly wings at the collar. He wears long light green stockings, with dark green high heels.
He skated across them all as if he was ice skating with a flying Bitball. He then began to spin around at a fast pace until he slowed down and extended his leg. He then knelt down to them and smiled.
"I'm Floren. You look like a Driver I can depend on." He said before facing away from them and grinned. "Hehe…this one's putty in my hands." He whispered before looking back. "Oh, nothing! My cuteness can soothe even the most savaged beast." He finished as he struck a pose and petals burst out of his Bitball.
After they finished their dialogue, the new Blades turned to their Driver.
"Let's give it to them Diver." Adenine said to Mòrag as she tossed her the gauntlents.
"Understood!" She said while summoning the ether spikes.
"Let's go!" Floren said while tossing the Bitball to Zeke.
With their new Blades, the group overpowered the Turikins with all they had. A lucky survivor was surrounded by the Blades. It squawked loudly until it ran away.
"Ah! I learned a lot already from you all!" Adenine said while dancing around a bit, causing some to laugh at her.
"That was easy!" Floren yelled.
"Well, looks like we are all set with Blades." Rex said.
"Yep. So let's get going." Robyn said.
"Are we close?" Finch asked while scratching her head.
"We just got to get across that frozen lake there." Zeke answered while pointing.
"Easy!" Praxis yelled.
When they crossed the lake, with Floren, Praxis and Theory ice skating along the way, they got to know Adenine and Floren more. They soon enough reached the temple that was past the ruins that looked like it seared by intense heat long ago. Robyn and Lilika took note on that, and they believed that this was caused by the Aegis War, or even further earlier.
Once they finally reached the head, they saw the temple that contained the Omega Fetter.
"Whoa, it looks way older than the place." Nia said while studying it more.
"Yes, it seems untouched by the ravages of time." Dromarch said.
They stepped inside and they stopped by the entrance. Pandoria touched her crystal, and it began to glow. The door slowly opened. Upon entering, they saw a golden sphere in the center of the room.
"That's it." Zeke said before he approached the orb and placed a hand over a panel. The panel glowed and the sphere begun to spin. It spung faster and faster, until it opened, revealing a red spiky crystal with electricity shooting out of it.
"Looks like a Core Crystal. Is that the Omega Fetter?" Rex asked.
"Yes. That's Ophion's control core. It was originally a conduit that I used to communicate with Ophion." Pyra said before she switched over to Mythra.
Mythra slowly approached the Omega Fetter and reached out for it.
"Well, can you retrieve it?" Rex asked.
"Shut up." Mythra said.
"I'm sorry." Rex said while looking down.
She then used her powers to connect with the crystal. It glowed brighter and brighter until it turned into a cube and glowed cyan. Mythra got a bit dizzy for a moment until she straightened herself.
"Whoa…" Lilika said while looking at the core. As Rex went to get the Omega Fetter and they began to leave, Lilika began to feel a bit uneasy. "Something doesn't feel right. A task like this never comes without obstacles afterwards." She added.
"You called, my dear?" The voice of Akhos spoke out. He, Patroka and Mikhail arrived in front of them.
"You had to say something." Zeke said with annoyance.
"So it was hidden all the way out here…no wonder we couldn't find it. I'd just been wondering whether it was time to make an exit. Thanks for saving me the trouble." Akhos said as he adjusted his glasses.
"Akhos…" Lilika whispered while she gotten serious.
"Good to see you." Akhos said.
"Lovely to see that tedious woman isn't here to get in our way this time." Patroka said with a smirk.
"Care to join me in a dance of death, Nia?" Mikhail asked with a wink and a pose with his hand outstretched.
"I think I just threw up in my mouth a little." Nia said with her hand to her mouth.
"That flirt was a failure." Lilika said while agreeing with Nia.
"You mean women." Mikhail sneered at them.
"Tell me Robyn, are you ready for another round of us kicking your ass?" Akhos asked with a mocking voice.
"Oh please, my skills have tripled since our last encounter. Perhaps Jin never told you." He said.
"You really think we'll come quietly with you?" Lilika asked.
"No." Mikhail answered with no hesitation.
"So you plan on taking us by force. Not easily, you won't" Lilika said.
"You've come for the Fetter, haven't you?" Rex asked.
"Perceptive, kid." Mikhail said with a grin.
"Condescending much? It's not like there's anything else here." Nia said.
"You are so mean!" Mikhail yelled.
"Now, hand it over nicely…would be the classic line, but no. I'm not letting you escape with your lives. For Jin's sake. Especially on what you did Robyn." Akhos said while glaring at him.
"Where are Jin and Malos, anyway? There are a few things I need to ask them." Mythra said.
"Frankly, I don't think they've got much interest in what you have to say." Akhos said.
"Sure about that?" Mythra asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Quite sure yes." Akhos answered.
"Not to interrupt the verbal sparring, but how do you plan on doing anything without your Blades? We're no pushovers, you know." Zeke said.
"You are at quite the disadvantage…unless you've come with a different method of combating us, Dark Lord Akhos." Mayonaka pointed out as they were defenseless.
"We don't need them, you see." Akhos said.
"Explain yourself." Zeke demanded.
Just then, the three of them pulled out a gem. Akhos's red gem summoned a bow and arrow. Patroka's red gem created a Cobra Bardiche. Mikhail, who's gem was blue, created a pair of Infinity Fans. Their gems attached to their chests.
"They're Blades!?" Robyn yelled while they backed away.
"Worst…Flesh Eaters." Mòrag said.
"Bravo! Very good!" Akhos yelled with a smile.
"No way!" Lilika yelled with fright.
"Mistress, I'd say that it's time to waste them, regardless of good looks…or flirting abilities." Mayonaka suggested.
"We've had many interruptions in the past, be here, that seems less likely. So let's go all out." Akhos said with a threatening voice.
"You can try, but I assure you we won't go down easy." Nia said while preparing Agate's Greataxe.
"I wouldn't want it any other way. Like I said, all…out." Akhos said while they prepared to strike.
"Initiating attack formation." Poppibuster said while preparing its Shield Hammer.
"I'll take the lovely Lilika." Akhos said while eyeing her.
"The handsome one is mine." Patroka said while looking at Robyn with a lovely smile.
"Then I'll take the boy with the real prize." Mikhail said with a death glare at Rex and Pyra.
"So you two wish to fight the ones who you fancy? That makes sense." Lilika said while rolling her eyes.
"So the rest of us don't have partners for this dance?" Nia asked.
"Well, it takes two to tango, and three is always a crowd." Vale said while twirling her lance.
"Oh by the way…she lives on. The Goddess of the Praetorium." Robyn said, catching Mikhail off guard.
"What!? How!?" Mikhail demanded while aiming his fans at him. When Robyn sneered at him, his eyes turned to anger. "You!" He yelled.
"Shall we dance?" Floren asked while spinning his Bitball.
"Bust a move!" Zeke yelled when Floren tossed him the ball.
"Ready!" Floren yelled.
They commenced the fight. Lilika fought Akhos with Perun, along with Poppibuster, Zeke and Floren. Robyn faced Patroka with Vale, along with Mòrag and Adenine. Rex fought Mikhail with Roc this time, along with Tora, Poppi, Nia and Finch.
As they fought, Robyn and Patroka, got into a lock. Robyn glared at her while fighting back.
"You gotten stronger since we last saw you…nice." Patroka said before kicking Mòrag away as she tried to sneak up from behind.
"You won't get the best of us!" Robyn yelled while throwing her off and tossed Vale her lance.
"Stay away from my Driver!" Vale yelled while commencing Blood Altar on Patroka. She took the hits like a champ and retaliated against Vale. "UGH! Right…Flesh Eaters." Vale sneered.
"Lady Lilika! We have to slow him down!" Perun yelled.
"You're right! Go for it!" Lilika yelled while tossing her the lance.
"At once, my lady!" Perun yelled as she took the lance and dealt damage to Akhos at binding speed.
"AH! This is getting tiresome! Time I showed you what I can really do!" Akhos yelled as he took an arrow and readied it. "Sacred Whym!" He yelled as he fired it and sent a powerful wave of electricity at the ground around Lilika, causing them some damage and forced them back.
"Time to clean some clocks!" Patroka yelled while swinging her Cobra Bardiche all around her and began to slash at Robyn, causing him to use his lance as a shield from as many of her attacks as possible. She then did a backflip and swiped at him. "Nothing personal hon. It's just business." She sneered with a grin.
"I don't think so! Adenine!" Mòrag yelled while tossing her the gauntlets.
"Time to teach you Respecting 101!" Adenine yelled while channeling her ether powers into her body and she began to deal lightning-fast punches and kicks to Patroka.
"That's powerful? We'll show you! Go for it Floren!" Zeke yelled while tossing the Bitball.
"You got it!" Floren yelled as he began to use his powers to enlarge the Bitball. He threw the weapon to Akhos, which caused him to fall backwards. "Strike!" Floren yelled while spinning the Bitball, which shrunk back to its size.
Meanwhile, Mikhail and Rex got into a lock. Mythra was using as much strength as she could.
"Rex! Try to throw him off. And get ready for a foresight." Mythra called out.
"Right!" Rex yelled while using the Aegis's powers to throw him off.
"Coming at ya!" Mikhail yelled while swinging his fans at him. Rex used Mythra's foresight, and he countered them effortlessly. "Hold still dam-HEY!" Mikhail yelled as he was grabbed from behind by Jacu, who got him in a bearhug.
"Oh what's wrong Mikhail? I thought you wanted to impress a woman." Lilika mocked him while chuckling.
"Listen, this is nice and all, but this is too mu-AAAAAAHHHHH!" Mikhail screamed with pain as Jacu squeezed him like he was having the air forced out of him, and his bones began to crack in his arm and shoulders. His spine then cracked loudly. "Hey, that actually felt pretty good." Mikhail said before Jacu threw him to the ground.
Rex then took Wulfric's lance and jabbed it into his leg, causing Mythra to kneel down in pain.
"REX!? WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" Mythra shouted in anger.
"I have an idea." Rex said as the lance began to channel the ether energy into his body.
"Alright Wulfric, hit me!" Rex yelled.
"Here goes!" Wulfric yelled as his energy began to go into Rex's body.
Rex slowly stood up and glared at Akhos. He then formed a ball of energy in his hands.
"Wha…!?" Akhos yelled as he recalled something similar to how Vandham did the same thing.
"HYAAH!" Rex shouted and he fired the energy at Akhos, turning it into a beam and shot him backwards, severely crippling him.
Rex then pulled his lance out and limped.
"Here you go Rex! Healing Halo!" Nia yelled as he twirled her rings, healing the group in the process.
"Thanks Nia, I owe you." Rex said while she gave him a helping hand up.
"Of course." Nia said.
"Inconceivable! How could we…?" Akhos asked while readjusting himself.
"These rats!" Patroka yelled.
"Game…set…match!" Lilika yelled while twirling her weapon.
Zeke then approached them.
"Warned you, didn't we? You messed with Thunderbolt Zeke, that's whatcha get. You brought this on yourselves. Anyway, this has gone on long enough. Nightly night, chaps. Very much looking forward to interrogating you later! Here I go! Bringer of Chao-AACK!" Zeke shouted in pain just as he was about to attack, only to have Jin appear out of nowhere behind and got his side, causing him to kneel in pain.
"Jin!? Where did he…?" Rex asked in shock.
"Seems they don't call you 'Thunderbolt' for nothing. That's the first time I've ever missed a vital point." Jin said as Zeke slowly stood up.
"Hrrk! You bastard!" Zeke yelled as he charged to strike at him, only for him to faze through him and Pandoria caught him.
"Prince!" Pandoria cried with fear.
"Don' worry yourself…it's just a scratch, really…" Zeke said to his Blade.
"MEDIC BLADE!" Lilika screamed.
"Right!" Mayonaka yelled as she went to him and tended to him.
"Jin, are you OK?" Akhos asked his leader.
"Relax, he's not made of glass." Malos's voice was heard nearby. They saw him leaning on a wall watching the fight.
"Malos!?" Mythra asked while eyeing him.
"Don't mind me, I'm just a spectator. He, on the other hand, insisted on coming here to settle a score with Robyn." Malos answered while he looked at Robyn.
"Jin did?" Mythra asked.
"Correct. You will give me the Omega Fetter, the Aegis, and the ancient ones." Jin demanded.
"You just try and take 'em. I know you're strong…but there's no way we're giving you any of them." Rex said.
"Not to mention that you still haven't fully recovered. One more stab to the crystal and you're history and you know it, Jin!" Robyn pointed out while pointing at his crystal.
"We have the advantage, Jin." Lilika said.
"You may have power. But words do little. If you know what you desire, you will have to show it." Jin said while stepping forward and his core glowed. The snow began to swirl around them. "Not with words, but with your own strength!" Jin yelled before he went through a transformation.
Everyone's eyes widen as his clothing morphed around him. Jin has now gained black plate armor with wing like shards sticking out of his lower back. He now has an opening at the chest to expose a wound, presumably intended to cross his heart.
(Cue One Winged Angel Orchestra Version)
"That power…so this is your final form, Shadow Dark Angel!?" Mayonaka yelled with fright.
"What enormous energy." Dromarch said.
"There no change to ether energy of surroundings. That energy being emitted from interior body." Poppi pointed out.
"Just like our Pyra, then? Where do they even keep all that energy?" Nia asked.
"How about all that rage energy he's got all pent up inside?" Zeke asked as Jin continued to walk towards them.
"No, that's not it…it's…" Rex was trying to say while the snow began to pick up.
"Watch out, here he comes!" Mòrag yelled as they prepared to strike.
"Round 2, or 3?" Lilika asked.
"None." Jin simply said as he shot towards them with flashing speed and slashed them all, minus Rex. They all fell to the ground in pain.
He then went for Rex. Thanks to Mythra's foresight, he saw the attacks, but couldn't avoid them all. He and Mythra fell.
"With wounds like that, they're done for. It's their biggest weakness." Malos said as they slowly stood up.
"Your struggle is pointless. My power gives me control over all elementary particles." Jin said.
"In our time, the phase would be, 'O.P. Plz nerf!'" Lilika said while she looked up.
"This allows me to accelerate my body to the speed of light. No matter how far ahead you can predict, your movements themselves are limited. You are no match for me." Jin explained more.
"Mythra…!" Rex yelled.
"I'm still here…Rex, we have to…slow him down. Match light speed with light speed." Mythra said when they stood upright.
"Got it. Okay! Here we go!" Rex yelled as he charged at him and jumped. He and Mythra fired a blast of light at him, only for him to just stand there and take it like a champ. Mythra ordered Siren to attack Jin. The beam of light shot down from above and blasted him…only for Jin to block it with his sword.
"Didn't I tell you? I can manipulate elementary particles. And the Aegis's attacks are nothing but a stream of particle energy. The particles that form it are too heavy to truly reach light speed." Jin said as he whipped his sword and the attack ended. "The results are obvious." He added.
"Oh no... Mythra's attack didn't…?" Rex asked while realizing what happened.
"Jin…" Mythra growled as her anger grew.
"How can that be!?" Kasandra yelled while backing away.
"No…" Robyn whispered.
"What can we do!?" Lilika asked while trying to think.
"It's over, boy. Eat this!" Jin yelled as he charged at Rex and struck him hard at his sword and broke through Mythra's ether shield, breaking them both. Mythra was out cold and reverted back to Pyra.
"Rex! Pyra!" Nia yelled as she ran to them, only for her to be stopped by Akhos, Patroka and Mikhail.
"He's too strong for us!" Lilika yelled.
"NIA! ABOVE!" Jacu shouted, but it was too late. Robots flew down and pinned them to the ground.
"What are these things!?" Kasandra yelled while struggling to break free.
"Th-these are…" Mòrag was trying to say.
"A-artificial Blades!" Tora yelled.
"Of course…that's why you were at Bana's factory. You won't win…so easily!" Mòrag yelled as she channeled blue flames around her and broke free of them.
She then charged at Mikhail, only for him to dodge her easily and grabbed her by the throat.
"Mòrag!" Robyn yelled while struggling to break free, to which he did and struck hard at one of the artificial Blades.
"Lady Mòrag!" Brighid yelled.
"Whoa! You're quite a looker up close. Killing you will be such a waste." Mikhail said while aiming his fan at her neck and grinned.
"Let me go…you pig!" Mòrag demanded.
"S-stop…it…GAH!" Rex shouted as Jin stomped on his head, pinning him down.
"I'm surprised you're still breathing. Relax. You'll be able to rest after I've pried that Core Crystal from your chest." Jin said as he lowered his sword right by Rex's head.
"I…won't die here…I have to reach Elysium…I have to find…the answers we're all looking for." Rex said while looking up at him.
"What answers? In this world, there are no answers." Jin said while pushing his foot further down on him.
Pyra slowly stood up.
"E-enough. I'm the one you want, isn't that right? Leave them…out of this." Pyra demanded.
Mikhail threw Mòrag and looked back at Pyra.
"Aw, look, what a touching scene. Are you going to beg for their lives?" Mikhail asked in a dance pose.
"No mockery Mik. This is serious business." Malos said.
"Put the sword away, Jin. If not, I'll…" Pyra was saying.
"You'll do what exactly?" Jin asked while looking at her.
"I'll…I'll will…annihilate myself. Pyra finished.
"What!?" Nia yelled while they all looked at her.
"She's serious?" Kasandra asked.
"You need me alive…don't you Malos?" Pyra asked her opposite.
"You also need either me, pleasing Akhos…or Robyn, pleasing Patroka. You don't care who comes along." Lilika added on to Pyra's words.
"Hah. You worked that much, did you? Well done. But how would you make good on that threat? You don't have that kind of…" Malos was saying but was cut off when Pyra's crystals began to glow. A red light shined down on her.
"Are you sure…about that?" Pyra asked.
Malos stopped dead in his tracks when he saw what was happening.
"This is a shock. I didn't think you had it in you." Malos said.
"What's going on?" Patroka asked.
"She's controlling Mythra's Artifice herself." Malos answered.
"She's controlling Siren though sheer…willpower?" Akhos asked.
"Go ahead. I'll deflect it with my power, just like before." Jin said.
"You could do that…if I used the particle cannon itself. But this is the targeting ray. It moves at the speed of light. And if I turn up the output just a little…that light alone has enough power to annihilate a single Blade. One signal from me…and my body will be scoured from this world. Faster than you can blink. So? Jin…?" Pyra asked while being true to her word.
"She's swearing to God!?" Robyn yelled.
"How unexpected. That you, an Aegis, would say something like that. So you'll do it? Open the gates to Elysium for us?" Jin asked.
"Yes. If that is your wish." Pyra answered.
"Don't, Pyra! They'll just-AAHHH!" Rex shouted while Jin pressed harder.
"JIN!" Pyra shouted as targeting ray grew brighter, and her body began to slowly disintegrate from it.
They had a moment of painful silence and Jin was thinking.
(A/N This is the point where things started to get complicated with me and my RP partner. We discussed it….sort of, and we agreed to make a few changes.)
"ALRIGHT STOP!" Robyn screamed out, gaining everyone's attention.
They saw him with an arm free and one of the artificial Blades, and the other….with Theory's sword at his neck.
"JIN! MALOS!" Patroka screamed with fright.
"NO!" Mòrag and Theory screamed.
"ROBYN! You…want to go!? But…I…I'll go in your place! You stay with the others!" Lilika yelled.
"Quiet you!" Patroka yelled as she kicked her and Pyra cut off her attack.
"On my word, do as I say Jin, or I'll flinch, your artificial Blade will pull this sword, and your best bet of getting full access to the World Tree will be gone. You need me alive and you know it Jin. What's it gonna be?" Robyn asked while having a tight grip on his sword.
Jin, who usually is calmed, was petrified for a moment. He looked down for a moment until he pulled the sword away from Rex.
"Very well. Name your terms." Jin said.
"Three conditions. The first condition is that everyone here walks away, including Pyra, and they are not to be harmed. Secondly, take your malice from the other kingdoms and stay on the Monoceros for good. Finally, never return. Do all of these…and I'll come quietly." Robyn stated.
"ROBYN! LISTEN TO ME YOU IDIOT! You possess many strengths I lack! I've only been of use when I stopped the king from killing Pyra…you're stronger than I am, and I'll get in the way…so this time, I can at least be of use to Torna. Are you even listening to me!?" Lilika demanded an answer from him.
"I've always listened to you Lilika. And you've always been of use to us, to your Blades…and me. You're smarter than I am. You're cleverer than I am. They need you." Robyn said while smiling.
"Then how about this: the both of you come quietly, and we'll agree to those terms. How about that Jin?" Malos asked.
"Agreed. The Omega Fetter. Get it." Jin ordered Lilika as he stepped away.
Lilika took the Omega Fetter from Rex. Jin moved at blinding speed to slice off the arm of the artificial Blade and quickly took Theory's sword and threw it.
"Lilika…but why?" Rex asked while watching her take the Omega Fetter.
"I was only of use to save Pyra from the king…I just need a purpose in this world. Plus, to save all of you." Lilika answered as she stood up with the Fetter.
"Can we at least say goodbye?" Robyn asked.
"Fine…but make it quick." Jin answered while putting his sword away.
They all went and said their goodbyes to everyone. Lilika went to Brighid, and they shared a quick hug. Brighid faced her and for the first time, her eyes opened, and purple pupils looked into her eyes.
"Thank you for everything." Lilika said.
Robyn went to Mòrag, who began shedding tears. They embraced for a moment.
"Take her to Leftheria. She'll be safe there." Robyn whispered into her ear.
"Understood. You better come back to us." She whispered back.
Robyn pulled back and nodded slightly. They shared a passionate kiss before Robyn backed away and went to the others to finish their goodbyes.
They joined Torna completely defenseless. Suddenly, Pyra collapsed and passed out. Jacu held her.
"Look at the state of you…you hadn't even noticed?" Jin asked Rex. "Your own Blade has been wounded so deeply…and all you think of is yourself. You awakened the Aegis. I thought you might have been different. But you're just…a fool. A pitiful…childish…fool." Jin finished before they begun to leave with Robyn and Lilika. They were held onto by artificial Blades, and they flew off.
"ROBYN! LILIKA!" Rex screamed into the air as they watched them leave.
"Our Blades…take care of them." Lilika whispered while looking down at them and smiled.
(Song ends)
They were taken to the Monoceros where they have been taken to the holding cell.
"For your actions, we are grateful that you all decided to join us. I overheard Patroka an
Akhos arguing who we grab over the other. You just rest and…get comfortable if you know what I mean. If you're good, I'll even take you below the ship to my quarters." Mikhail offered with a wink.
"Mik, dispatch the mercenaries…The Core Crystal Hunter Brigade." Malos ordered him.
"Yes sir." Mikhail said with a bigger smile.
Lilika and Robyn gasped at those words.
"Pyra…no!" Lilika yelled
"MALOS, YOU LYING BASTARD!" Robyn shouted in rage. "You swore that they-ACK!" Robyn was cut off when Malos grabbed him by the throat tight.
"Don't you dare be all noble with me boy! We agreed to that, but it was you who failed to mention a 3rd party connection to us." Malos said, revealing to them a loophole.
"WHAT!? Wait a minute…can't YOU open the way? You're an Aegis too! And also…let him go!" Lilika demanded. 'And also…what's wrong with your hair?' She thought.
"If I could, I would've done it by now. But I can't." He said as he released Robyn, making him cough and gasp for air an Lilika holding him. "All I need is the power Pyra stolen from me 500 years ago. So with this new plan, we're still gonna get what we want." Malos answered.
"You, okay?" Lilika asked Robyn, who was still coughing, but he gave her a thumps up. "That almost sounds like an Amalthus plan. Guess your Driver's heart still influences your own." Lilika said while looing back at the evil Aegis.
"Hmph. Enjoy your stay. We'll be making our way to the Cliffs of Morytha soon after we get the Aegis. Akhos, Patroka…keep an eye on them." Malos ordered them.
"Sure thing." Akhos said.
"Whatever." Patroka said as they looked towards them.
"Not much we can do…" Lilika said.
Lilika and Robyn did take notice of their behaviors after Malos left. Akhos and Patroka, despite them not showing it. They seemed to be questioning everything. They took their leave, only for them to look back at them first.
Robyn then sat in a corner and unleashed every bit of sadness he bottled up. Robyn hated himself that all of this was happening.
"Robyn…I'm scared, too. But what choice did we have?" Lilika said as she sat next to him and held his arm.
"I…I hate myself. Why don't I ever listen to you?" He sobbed.
"You are a stubborn risk taker…it's impossible to change your mind." Lilika answered.
"I'm sorry." He whispered when she hugged him, and he cried into her shoulder.
Lilika then began to question the words that she said to him about her not being able to change his mind, despite being the smarter one. She began to regret those words and held him tighter.
Back with the others, they got Pyra back to the inn at Tantal. Rex fell unconscious on the way back from the attacks he sustained. Lilika and Robyn's Blades were not taking their leaving well, Theory and Mayonaka especially. They got Rex and Pyra to a bed so they can rest.
"As long as our Drivers live, so do we. We can take comfort in this." Mayonaka said, despite her heart pounding.
"Curse them…Robyn." Mòrag said in anger, before shedding more tears.
"We need eyes on her, day and night." Vale growled while gripping a railing tight.
"Don't worry. With me on guard, she will be safe!" Kasandra yelled with confidence.
"You better…I can't believe I'm actually thinking this, but I want to be a Flesh Eater to save him." Theory admitted while looking down at her lap while sitting down.
"What!?" Zeke yelled as he almost fell out of his chair.
"You would give up your immortality just for that!? Are you usure you're comfortable with the concept?" Brighid asked while approaching her.
"Robyn is more than a Driver! He's my closest friend, nay a family to me!" Theory retaliated against the jewel herself.
"Theory…" Praxis said while gripping her heart.
"Let's just rest for now. We'll come up with a plan by morning." Jacu said.
"I shall guard the night." Mayonaka said with her weapon ready.
"Not on your own." Vale insisted while readying her lance.
"Of course, Vale." Mayonaka said.
"Torna is not likely to stick to their word. Pyra needs you both to keep them from her." Brighid told them.
That night, Vale and Mayonaka had eyes on Pyra. Mayonaka stood by her with her weapon out as a crossbow. Vale stood outside the door and constantly looked in all directions. She sometimes paced back at forth from time to time.
Suddenly, Mayonaka felt a sharp sting onto her neck. She gasped loudly as she immediately began to feel drowsy and slowly fell. It was a tranquilizer.
"Lady…Pyra…" She was able to say before she fell flat on the floor, gaining Vale's attention when she heard the thud.
"Sweet dreams." It was an Urayan bandit.
Vale burst into the room with Nia and Dromarch.
"BANDITS!" Vale screamed, waking everyone up minus Rex and Pyra.
"We won't let you take her away, pal!" Nia yelled while readying her rings.
"Get them!" Mòrag yelled.
"Eat this!" Vale yelled, only to get punched in the gut by a massive Blade with a knuckle claw gauntlet.
"We got her!" One of the bandits yelled as the others were revealed to be a distraction.
"Pyra! Dromarch! Come on!" Nia yelled.
"Let's go my lady!" Dromarch yelled.
"Heads up little lady!" Another bandit yelled while swinging a shield hammer at them, sending them backwards. "Chew on that, kitty!" They yelled as they were making their escape thanks to artificial Blades with grappling hooks.
"NO!" Mòrag shouted as they watched them escaping.
"Roc, go!" Adenine yelled.
"I'm on it!" Roc yelled as he took flight and went after them.
He went for the bandit with Pyra, only to be electrocuted by a thunder Blade with a lance. Roc fell towards the square, only to use his wings to soften his landing.
"DAMN! We failed again!" Nia yelled with frustration.
They glared at the sky as the mercenaries were getting away. To make matters worse, they saw the Monoceros flying off in the distance.
"Torna…" Jacu growled as her anger.
"That's so cheap! They ambushed us when they made a promise to leave Pyra alone!" Praxis yelled.
"What are we supposed to do now?" Nia asked.
"I…I don't know." Mòrag said while putting her swords away.
After all that has happened within the last few hours, everything changes when Lilika, Pyra and Robyn were captured by an ultimatum that they couldn't refuse. With Rex still out of it, how will he handle Pyra's capture after he had already lost two friends of his that owed him so much for helping them adapt to Alrest? Find out more next time as the story continues.
