The group remained in Tantal as Rex continued to rest. Many were taking their loss very seriously…especially Mòrag, who lost more than just a battle…but a lover.

"Rex-Rex still sleeping? It two days now." Tora said while looking at the bedrooms.

"His injuries were quite severe. The worst is over, but his body needs time to recover." Dromarch said.

"He'd better get well soon, or…" Nia was saying until she was cut off when Rex returned to the lobby. "Rex!?" Nia yelled while everyone shot up when they saw him enter.

"Lord Rex! It's a relief to see you back on your feet." Mayonaka said while smiling.

"What is that?" Jacu asked while looking at a bag on his back.

"I'm leaving." He said.

"What? Why!?" Praxis yelled with a hand on her chest.

"But…where will you go?" Nia asked.

"Good question. I can't live on gramps anymore, and Pyra's gone. Maybe I'll just head for Argentum." He answered.

"Rex…you…" Azurda was trying to say but was shocked at what he said.

"What the hell are you talking about, Argentum? What about Robyn, Lilika and Pyra? Do you know how desperate the situation is? Or have you finally lost it, you idiot?" Nia asked with a serious tone as she went to him.

"I know, okay? It's just…" Rex said while looking away.

"Just what?" Nia asked.

"I'm done." He finished.

"Done?" Nia asked again.

"You cannot surrender this late in your quest! What of our taken companions?" Mayonaka asked with desperation in her voice.

"When I became the Driver of the Aegis, her Driver…I felt like I could do anything. But I was just kidding myself. All I've managed to do what hurt her, again and again. Plus… they'll keep them safe. Lilika and Robyn. They'll protect them better than me. So…I'm done." He explained.

"Oh for crying out loud, Rex!" Nia yelled as she grabbed his shoulder. "Robyn and Lilika got themselves caught to save you and Pyra!" Nia yelled at him more.

"I know! So what?" He asked while pulling himself away from her.

"SO WHAT!?" Nia yelled louder.

"Those guys are way out of my league. I can't beat them. It's hopeless. I understand that now. They'll be safer with them. They're not gonna hurt them like I did to Pyra. So I'm leaving." Rex said more while turning his back on her.

"You…bloody…IDIOT!" Nia shouted as she grabbed him and punched him, sending him into barrels. Rex held his face where she punched him at. "Hurts, yeah? But that pain's nothing compared to what our friends must be feeling right now! They went with those bastards knowing full well how much it would hurt. For our sakes, not theirs!" Nia yelled when she grabbed him by the collar.

"I get it! I know!" Rex yelled back, causing her to gasp and look at him with horror. "But what do you want me to do!? I couldn't even slow him down! Even the Artifice's attack couldn't touch him. What chance do I have against a guy like that? The more I fight, the more Pyra gets hurt. She'll be…better off without me by her side." Rex said while leaving the group further behind.

Brighid gasped and walked quickly to him and slapped him in the face. Rex looked back at her, and his anger grew.

"Do you actually mean that? Do you not have the slightest idea how it felt for them to leave all of us? Pyra thought you'd be better off if she was dead, did you know that? Not to mention Robyn's unstable behavior lately. She and Robyn…threatened to sacrifice themselves to defeat them! You drove Pyra to this and show Lilika and Robyn all of Alrest, but here you are giving up! You said you'd get Pyra to Elysium, didn't you? You'll eat your words just like that!?" Brighid demanded as her anger reached a high meter.

"Forget it. We'll rescue them on our own. This loser…he's not the Rex we joined up with. Let him go wherever the hell he wants." Nia said while losing faith in him.

"You guys! Let's just think this all through! Hasn't he been through enough?" Praxis yelled while joining Nia and Brighid.

"Ganging up on him and hitting him while he's in this state won't make him want to press on. If anything, you're only making him shut down even more. He needs encouragement to go on, not this negativity!" Mayonaka yelled a bit, trying to stop this argument.

"Come now." Dromarch said while getting up. "Let's not start fighting amongst…" Dromarch was saying until Jacu cut him off.

"Let's give them a chance to work this out…shall we?" Jacu asked Zeke. Zeke was about to say something against that, but he silently agreed.

"Y'know, I…" Rex was trying to say.

"Nia quite right!" Poppi said while getting up and practically stomped towards Rex. "Rex definitely not behave like himself! Giving up after one loss? That not Rex I know at all!" Poppi said more while raising a hand up.

"But…" Rex said before Poppi cut him off while raising her hand to his face to stop him.

"Now is not time for excuses!" Poppi yelled while winding up for a punch.

"POPPI!" Tora and Theory screamed, and Rex shut his eyes.

Poppi only slightly bonked his head and then cupped his cheek.

"P-Poppi?" Rex asked while looking at the devastated artificial Blade.

"Poppi is hurt seeing Rex like this. Poppi and Masterpon are not real Blade and Driver. So Poppi and Masterpon looked up to Rex lots. Rex worked very, very hard to get this far. When Rex tries hard, Poppi and Masterpon try hard. Rex like bullseye we aim for. Without Rex, we know not which way to go. So please…Rex cannot give up and stop here." Poppi whimpered and looked down.

Meanwhile, Pandoria returned to the lobby, and she fell onto her knees on a ledge above Zeke.

"My Prince." Pandoria said before whispering a message to her Driver.

"Chum! My old man wants to see you. Time to go." Zeke said as he stood up.

"I wonder what he wants." Praxis said while thinking.

When they left the inn, they arrived at the audience chamber where Eulogimenos was waiting for them. Eulogimenos had a look of guilt written all over his face.

"Rex, are you all right to be up and about?" He asked the Aegis Driver.

"Yeah…I'm all healed up." Rex answered.

"Sincere apologies. If I hadn't attempted to destroy the Aegis, they would never have…" Eulogimenos was saying.

"If you'd done nothing, they'd have come for her anyway. It's…my fault." Rex admitted.

"I see…500 years ago…this kingdom was rent in twain. Some followed Addam, who sought to live with Blades and Titans as equals. Others opposed him, preferring to consider humans as the masters and Titans as tools. Leveraging the power of the Omega Fetter, they declared themselves the Tantalese royal dynasty." Eulogimenos explained.

"So you lie to keep peace?" Finch asked.

"Precisely. My ancestors mere used the name of the beloved Addam in order to win over the people. We took this lie under the Cloud Sea with us in hoping to hide this from the world. The Praetorium, for their part, did not protest. Can you guess why?" Eulogimenos asked them all.

"No." Rex answered.

"I can't think of anything." Vale said while thinking.

"Why was this?" Agate asked.

"They offered to stay silent in exchange for a certain resource…an annual tribute comprising a fixed quantity of Core Chips. I have something I wish to show you." He said as he pointed towards a wall, and it began to open. Either energy was flowing down, like liquid in a tube.

"What is this?" Rex asked.

"Why show this?" Finch asked.

"This is Genbu's ether flow. The Titan draws in the fabric of the Cloud Sea and uses it as a source of energy. Refining and crystalizing this ether creates Core Chips. This process is what you see before you." Eulogimenos explained.

"So in other words, you're siphoning away a portion of the Titan's energy." Mòrag said.

"Our cold climate and poor harvest, they are the unfortunate side effects of this process." He added.

"I think I'm beginning to understand." Dromarch said.

"Core Chips are vital to every nation's military and energy policies. The Praetorium desired this power." Eulogimenos said.

"How come?" Nia asked.

"Alrest was in a time of crisis. Because of the Praetorium muscling in with our affair, Tantal fell into a chronic energy shortage. Then…well you saw for yourselves." Eulogimenos said.

"So why not just leave the Cloud Sea? Genbu can move, right? Just go somewhere warmer." Nia suggested.

"They fear contact with other nations. Too afraid it might expose the truth behind the legends they spun about Addam." Mòrag answered.

"That is all false information? Not cool." Adenine said while getting a bit angry.

"That would explain their isolationism." Dromarch said.

"And since the Aegis had awoken…we panicked, and we tried to get rid of her since they threatened our exposure courtesy of the Praetorium. Enough was enough. I wasn't going to stand by and let the Tantalese people suffer any longer. I thought getting rid of the Aegis…it would save our people. But it would've made things worse. I now see that. When I saw that look in your eyes, I knew. Perhaps you are the one to whom we can entrust the Aegis's power Rex." Eulogimenos explained more.

"Father…" Zeke said.

"You didn't think about using the Aegis's power yourself?" Nia asked, only for him to shake his head.

"Wielding that power is beyond my means. Anyway." He said as he pulled out an old book. "This tome records the deeds of the hero Addam. According to this, he saved the world from destruction using a white sword. And then disappeared with a red sword." Eulogimenos said.

"White and red…it must mean Mythra and Pyra's sword." Rex said.

"Perhaps." Mayonaka said.

"Whoever wrote this must have had a personal connection with Addam. And most curiously, after Addam disappeared, the author of this book went looking for something. The third Aegis sword." He spoke.

"There's a third?" Rex asked.

"Do you know where it is?" Praxis asked.

"That's just it. But first, this sword was as transparent as diamond, and gave off a clear bright light. Addam went his whole life without using it. He couldn't use it." Eulogimenos said.

"What do you mean 'couldn't?'" Nia asked.

"The sword was simply too powerful. Even he, the legendary hero, could not contain the power it commanded. Thus, he sealed it away somewhere. The author said it is the true sword of the Aegis. You may have been defeated by Jin, but would it not make it more sense to presume that you lost because you have yet to unlock the true power for the Aegis?" He asked Rex.

"You mean…I'm the one who's been holding them back?" Rex asked.

"How is he to do that?" Mayonaka asked.

"He must find this sword." Theory said.

"Your Majesty? Where is that sword? We have to. We have to find it somehow! We have to find that sword, and rescue Pyra, Lilika and Robyn!" Rex demanded.

"Regrettably, the book does not specify the sword's location. However, reading between the lines, it seems the author suspected…that the sword lies somewhere in Leftheria. It's not much, but that's where I would begin my search." Eulogimenos explained.

"In Leftheria…" Rex asked.

"So…let's go there!" Praxis yelled.

"Are you ready?" Azurda asked out of the blue and flew out of Rex's helmet.

"Gramps?" Rex asked when Azurda hovered in front of him.

"Do you know where to find the Aegis sword?" Mayonaka asked him.

"Yes. Rex, are your ready to do what it takes to be their Driver? Well…are you, Rex?" Azurda asked once again.

"Yes! Of course! I'm going to be the Driver that Pyra and Mythra deserve! And then I'm going to take them to Elysium!" Rex yelled a bit.

"Then come with me, I'll show you the way." Azurda said before flying ahead.

The rest of the gang followed him out of the kingdom, and their new objective lies somewhere at Leftheria.

Meanwhile, back on the Monoceros, Lilika and Robyn were in their cells. Lilika was sitting down on a bench playing with her harp and hummed a bit. Robyn was just starring outside at the sight of a rotting Titan where Malos and Jin took Pyra.

Just then, Akhos and Patroka arrived.

"Your dinner is ready. Get it while it's hot." Patroka said while Akhos slipped in some food into the cell.

"Thank…you?" Lilika asked while looking at the food.

As they ate, Robyn approached the cell and leaned on it, glaring at them.

"Why?" He asked them.

"Huh?" Patroka asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Why did you side with Malos?" He asked them.

"Well…this is a bit personal. We were rescued by Jin because us being Flesh Eaters. We ate our Driver's flesh, causing us to be shunned and Indol was on the verge of executing us." Akhos answered while sitting by them.

"For not wanting to forget your Drivers?" Lilika asked while eating.

"I guess." Patroka said.

"Our Drivers were siblings, Tantalese to be more precise. Guess you can call us freaks of nature. Why do you ask?" Akhos asked.

"Because Malos will only use you for fodder. Sure he may have given you a second chance for revenge, but what will you gain from all this in the end? Peace? Freedom?" Robyn asked.

"I…don't understand." Akhos said while scratching his head.

Just then, Patroka entered their cell and got into Robyn's face.

"Listen bub, you're getting a bit too personal with us!" She snapped at him, causing him to slowly back away a bit.

"He means…Malos gave you a second chance, but what do you get in exchange? What do you gain by being by his side? What do you expect to happen?" Lilika said while rephrasing a bit from Robyn's questions.

"Our loyalty that's what. But…I consider this…a bonus!" Patroka yelled as she shoved Robyn to the wall…and smashed her lips onto his.

"OH!" Lilika shouted from surprise from what Patroka's actions.

Akhos quickly covered a nearby security camera to make sure that Mikhail wasn't watching, fearing that Mikhail will attempt to kill Robyn from what Patroka was doing.

"Uh…dear sister?" Akhos asked.

She finally pulled away from his face, but still held him.

"Forget about that tomboy handsome. You deserve a real woman…like me." She said seductively.

"Get off of me!" Robyn yelled while throwing her off, only for her to slam back onto him.

"Perhaps a little restraining order might be needed." Akhos whispered to Lilika.

"I agree…but I never figured her to be a flirtatious type!" Lilika yelled with a bit of concern.

"This is new to me too." Akhos said.

Robyn was now struggling to throw her off, but she was too strong, causing her to chuckle a bit.

"Right…Flesh Eaters." He said to himself.

"Anyway…how about I take you both to a location that shows Jin's motivation?" Akhos offered.

"Oh? Well…anything to keep from being bored." Lilika said.

"Well eat up, and I'll take you to her." Akhos said.

"Her?" Robyn asked while looking at him.

"His Dri….LORA!?" Lilika shouted.

"Indeed." Akhos said.

After they ate, Robyn and Lilika were being guided by Akhos and Patroka, who held them with a tight grip.

"If I were to guess your roles as Blades…based on your appearances and personalities…Patroka seems to be Attacker, while you are a Healer. It's…fitting." Lilika said.

"That's right. Hence her…aggressiveness." Akhos said while looking at Patroka, who held Robyn's arm.

They finally reached the lower levels of the Monoceros where Mikhail was doing some calibrations. On the walls were Core Crystals being stored inside.

But what really stood out was a woman frozen in ice right behind the main control system.

"That's Lora?" Robyn asked.

"Indeed. The source how Jin became a successful Flesh Eater." Akhos said.

"She's…beautiful. That's Jin's Driver? Their bond must have been something truly special. Since it seems Jin is an ice element, why did he do this to her?" Lilika asked while walking a lap around the frozen body.

"To keep her close… and a reminder of what Indol did to her." Patroka answered.

"I wouldn't touch it though. If Jin found out, you better pray with your lives that he doesn't break his promise to keep you alive." Mikhail warned them when he faced them.

"Whoa…" Lilika said.

Just then, Mikhail approached them…and grabbed Robyn by the neck and lifted him.

"AACK!" He chocked while grabbing Mikhail's wrists.

"Don't ever…get in between me and Patroka again! GOT IT!?" Mikhail shouted and had a fan to Robyn's head.

"Robyn!" Patroka yelled with fright.

"Mikhail, right? Why is your Core Crystal different from Akhos and Patroka's crystals?" Lilika asked, trying to distract him.

"Well…" Mikhail said while throwing Robyn away, causing him to grunt in pain and Akhos and Patroka tended to him. "I'm actually not like the others. I'm actually human. I was an experiment gone right courtesy of Amalthus himself, though he doesn't know that yet. Call me…a Blade Eater." He answered.

"Are you okay Robyn?" Lilika asked her closest friend, to which he gave her a thumbs up.

"Wait what? So, Torna is made up of an Aegis, three Flesh Eaters, and a Blade Eater. Essentially, four Blades and a human. Whoa…now I'm positive Amalthus is not a good person." Lilika said while piecing more of the puzzle together of what's going on.

"Seems like we have a common enemy." Robyn said while straightening himself up.

"Wait…if that's the case…WHAT ARE WE DOING!?" Akhos shouted with pure confusion.

"Relax Akhos. Oh…and Mik." Patroka said in a sinister voice while approaching him.

"Yes, my dear?" He asked with a grin and pulling his hair back. Before she answered…she kick him below the belt, causing him to scream in pain and fall to the ground. "WHY!?" Mikhail asked with a higher octave voice.

Robyn and Lilika were bursting out laughing, with Akhos cringing.

"Right in the weak point." Robyn said while still snickering.

"Yeah, right in the men! If that doesn't make you take a hint, nothing will!" Lilika yelled before laughing again.

"Do it again. I'm enjoying this far too much. This is a stress reliever!" Robyn said while enjoying harming another enemy.

"Considering that…if not worse if he does that in him again!" Patroka said while aiming one of Mik's fan at him.

This started to escalate pretty quickly, causing everyone to stop laughing.

"Note to self…do not talk to Patroka if you value your life." Lilika said.

"Uh…Akhos how about you tend to him, Patroka can take us back! We've seen enough!" Robyn yelled with fear, imagining the worse scenario.

"Yeah okay!" Lilika said in a panic.

When they returned to their cells, Robyn had an idea. It was time for some bold action. He approached the cell just before she left.

"Patroka?" He asked in a rather…seductive voice, catching the girls off guard from his unexpecting move.

"Robyn? What are you doing?" Lilika asked while processing what he was doing.

"I'm with her…are you okay?" Patroka asked when she was in front of him again form the other side of the bars.

"Of course. Tell you what, if you help us out, you and Akhos can be freed with me and Lilika. That means…more time with me." He said while stroking her hair out of her face.

Patroka was petrified. This was something that someone that she actually really liked was kinda returning her emotions in a way.

"And I repeat. Robyn, what are you doing?" Lilika asked.

"Making her an offer." He said to her.

"Well…this is a flirt I can tolerate. Tell you what…help us with the World Tree, and I'll convince Akhos for an alliance hun. You got a potential deal." Patroka said while cupping his cheek.

"Alright." He said before she pulled him into a kiss, causing him to flinch from the impact, and she left. He then turned towards Lilika. "Was…I really that dumb with the girls back in school and college?" He asked her.

"Yes. Yes, you were." Lilika said with no hesitation.

"Well, I guess those talks from them taught me a strategy that may come in handy…I hope." He said.

"Yeah…let's hope. What are the odds things will work in our favor?" She asked.

"I say pretty good since they have a thing for us." Robyn said.

"Good point." Lilika said.

"Once we reach the tree…we put it to the test…strawberry flavor?" Robyn asked while wiping his mouth a bit.

"Huh?" Lilika asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Either lip gloss, Chapstick, or something. But yuck! Think she stuck her tongue in my mouth earlier! Is that normal?" Robyn asked with a disgusted look.

"I think that was a French kiss. How come you get all the romance?" Lilika said with a jealous voice.

"Don't ask me…perhaps you could win Akhos over just as I did?" Robyn suggested.

"I've never flirted! What I said when we first saw him was the first impression I got from him!" Lilika said while she was arguing with him a bit.

"I got an idea. Here's what you're gonna do." Robyn said while approaching her.

Meanwhile, with the group, they returned to Leftheria. They went up a pair of stairs towards a statue close by Fonsett Village.

"Why are we here?" Praxis asked while looking at the statue.

"Just looks like a stone statue pillar to me." Nia said.

"It's the village guardian. They say that the guardians spirit dwells within. Gramps what are we doing here?" Rex asked the larval Titan.

"Rex, try turning the stone tablet clockwise." Azurda said.

"This?" Rex asked when he approached the tablet. He turned it clockwise a few times, until it opened, revealing a family symbol. "Huh? This crest, it's…I've seen it before." Rex said as he recalled seeing this on ship where he found Pyra.

"Where have you seen it, Lord Rex?" Mayonaka asked.

"When I partnered up with Torna when I met Nia and Dromarch awhile back." He answered.

"Right! I remember you telling us that." Corvin said.

"Place your hand on it." Azurda said.

Rex slowly approached the symbol and placed his hand over it. It glowed brightly. The statue began to lower itself underground. Afterwards, a pair of stairs revealed themselves.

"Wha…?" Corvin asked.

"What's this?" Rex asked.

"This passage leads to the very center of the archipelago. There lies the cavern known as Spirit Crucible Elpys." Azurda answered.

"It looks rather dark and cold down there." Floren said while looking down.

"This entrance and the gate of the Spirit Crucible are sealed in such a way that only a Leftherian an open them." Azurda said.

"Ahh…so that's why Jin needed me back then!" Rex yelled.

"When Addam founded this village, he hid something deep within the body of the Titan that forms the archipelago's center." Azurda explained.

"You mean the missing sword?" Rex asked.

"I don't know how word of it got out, but many were led here by rumors of the legendary sword. More than a few entered the Spirit Crucible, but none have ever returned." Azurda explained more.

"Is it really that dangerous?" Nia asked.

"Addam wanted to ensure that the sword was securely sealed away. He put many measures in place to stop it falling into the wrong hands. Only the hands of someone worthy. Addam said that taking the sword would be the mark of the Aegis's true Driver." Azurda stated.

"Their…true Driver?" Rex asked.

"What do you say, Rex?" Azurda asked.

"I'll do it. No. I…HAVE to do it. Every moment we waste, Pyra and Mythra could be…" Rex was saying.

"Let's get to it, then!" Kasandra yelled.

"Then let us proceed." Azurda said as they finally entered.

They made their way down the cavern that was filled with crystals and dimmed lights. The further down they went, the darker and creepier it became.

Just then, Dromarch stumbled to the ground.

"Dromarch! What're you stumbling for?" Nia asked.

"Sorry, my lady. I've been feeling a bit dizzy." Dromarch said while getting up, only to sit back down.

"You too?" Brighid asked.

"You too, Lady Brighid?" Dromarch asked.

"What's happening to us?" Vale asked while holding onto a wall to support herself.

"I don't feel so good." Theory said while holding her head.

"Despite my dizziness, I am still capable of standing." Brighid said.

"Hey, same here! What's up with this place? It's kinda creepy." Pandoria said while holding herself.

"Plus, it's uncomfortably cold!" Floren yelled a bit.

"What's going on?" Mòrag asked.

"I feared as much." Azurda said.

"Gramps…you knew this would happen?" Rex asked with concern.

"The tales say that Spirit Crucible Elpys saps the strength of Blades. Its one of the reasons why none have ever returned from the depths." Azurda answered.

"I'll say." Zeke said.

"Probability of success would fall if precautions were not taken." Poppibuster said.

"Ether flow scarce in this area. That may be caused of problems. Glowing particles in air…they absorb ether. That is source of light." Poppi said while analyzing the surroundings.

"So not only do you have less power, the power you DO have is being absorbed? Well that's jolly tragic." Zeke said.

"I got a bad feeling about this." Adenine said while reading her book.

"You all right, Poppi?" Nia asked.

"Poppi just fine. Poppi never better." Poppi said with a smile.

"Of course, you're an artificial Blade, ain'cha?" Nia asked.

"Let us go. Who knows what lies ahead." Zeke said.

They continued to go further down the cavern to see what more the Crucible had to offer. Until they stopped right at a bridge in a large open area.

"We have to cross that?" Rex asked.

"Yes. But we must proceed with caution. Once we enter, the Blades will be sapped of most of their power. If they run out of energy, they might be force into their core state. And there's a chance they could never be reawakened." Azurda said.

"WHAT!?" Theory screamed as her heart pounded hard.

"So, we're in a race against time to get the sword and back out!? We must hurry!" Mayonaka yelled.

"Pandy, you'd better stay here and guard the fort." Zeke said to his Blade.

"Why just me? Don't you want me?" She asked him.

"Don't ask dumb questions. You know very well why, don't you?" Zeke asked.

"If I'm staying, you ought to stay-" "I'll be fine. When am I ever not?" Zeke interrupted her.

"If you're going, I'm-" "I'm ordering you to stay here!" Zeke yelled at her.

"Is there something wrong?" Mòrag asked while intervening.

"Pandoria was just agreeing to stay behind." Zeke answered.

"Nuh-uh! I'm going with you! We made a promise, didn't we!? Don't you dare say you've forgotten! I go where you go End of story!" Pandoria yelled.

"Uh…you two dating?" Finch asked.

"NO!" Pandoria and Zeke shouted at her.

"Why you fight like a couple then?" Finch asked them.

"…" Zeke glared at her.

"My lady." Dromarch said.

"I'm fine. We can't give up now we've come this far. Don't. I know what you're gonna say." Nia said while looking into his eyes.

"I…understood." Dromarch said.

"I don't know what's in there. But apart from Tora, Poppi, and Poppibuster, we're all going to find ourselves our abilities severely weakened. Be careful, Rex." Mòrag said.

"Yes…healing arts are going to be less effective, too. One nasty wound and that'll be the end of you." Zeke warned them.

"Yeah, I get that. Tora, Poppi, Poppibuster, we'll need you on the front line." Rex said as he turned towards them.

"You got it, Rex-Rex! Poppi and Poppibuster are artificial Blades, so is very extremely not a problem! Technology save the day! Three cheers for Nopon know-how!" Tora yelled while jumping around.

"Where are Poppi's cheers?" Poppi asked with curiosity.

"Actually…I think us Blades of Lilika and Robyn are gonna stay behind." Corvin said.

"That's a smart idea. Without your Drivers, and you all being vulnerable, it would be devastating for the both of them, Lilika especially." Brighid said.

"We'll head back to Fonsett Village and see what we can do." Corvin said.

"Good luck everyone…" Theory said with worry.

"Take care, the rest of you." Mayonaka said before they turned around and head back to the surface.

After they left the crucible, they breathed a strong breath of fresh air and the ether energy returning to them. They felt their bodies back at maximum potential.

"How I missed that flow of ether energy in the air!" Perun yelled while stretching out her body.

"The cavern was indeed very suffocating for us Blades, as it drained us quite easily earlier." Mayonaka said.

"Hope they'll be okay….so now what?" Jacu asked while they were making their way back to Fonsett Village.

"Maybe we can see what's going on at Fonsett." Corvin said.

"That's you all over Corvin, you never sit still to help out with those in need." Mayonaka said.

"Might as well prepare our…selves…." Perun cut herself off when he saw how completely quiet and abandoned Fonsett was.

"Where is everyone?" Mayonaka asked with concern.

"Corrine!? Kirk!? Kazuna!? Anybody!?" Corvin yelled out.

"Hey! Over here!" Vale yelled while waving her hand high.

"Vale!? What's going on?" Theory asked when they joined her.

"It's some sort of notice." Vale said.

"Let's see…OH! It's an evacuation alert. A giant monster from Temperantia has been confirmed to be heading for Leftheria." Jacu said while reading it.

"Who shall lead us?" Mayonaka asked.

"Hmm…" Perun thought.

"We do this together! We'll plan this out as we go." Jacu said.

"Right. But we won't be able to use our attacks." Mayonaka pointed out.

"Perhaps it's time we prove ourselves that we can handle things on our own. If Brighid can handle on her own, we all can!" Perun said.

"That's the spirit! But first…where do we start?" Corvin asked. As if it was on cue, there was a loud roar from the other side of the archipelago. They looked off in that direction and saw a Rigitte Harbor. "Oh dear…" Corvin said while their eyes began to widen.

"GET THERE NOW!" Vale screamed.

They ran as fast as they could towards the Rigitte Harbor. They had already seen a handful of people run from the harbor to reach higher grounds. They reached the harbor and readied their weapons.

Just then, from the Cloud Sea, they saw a monstrous creature emerge from the clouds. It was a quadrupedal monster the size of a house. It had dark reptile skin, multiple long horns on its head, large spikes on its back, a long tail, and a large jaw with sharp teeth. The very sight of it made the Blades freeze up.

"YIKES!" Theory screamed.

"It's a behemoth! Let's take it down!" Corvin yelled as they prepared to strike at the monster.

"Lead the way!" Perun yelled.

"Going in!" Corvin yelled as he charged in and began swinging his sword at its legs, causing it to roar.

"Let's surround it and bombard it with attacks!" Mayonaka yelled while readying her crossbow.

They got all around it and one by one, they began to strike at the beast. They were able to deal major wounds to it, but it proved it to be more durable and stronger than they anticipated. Despite not having their Driver's around, they were able to hold their own.

As the fight really started to heat up, the behemoth got the upper hand and gave them all a powerful tail whip.

"No…too strong…" Perun said while using her lance as support.

"What can we do!?" Mayonaka yelled with fright as she was shown to be legitimately scared.

"Rex...everyone…oh Architect help us." Jacu whispered.

"Looks like it's my go for being a healer." Mayonaka said as she prepared Moonlight Miracle.

The behemoth charged in just as she had the chance to heal her team. It then got onto its hind legs and readied to slam onto them.

"I promised…to protect…him." Theory said as she closed her eyes, waiting for the impact.

Suddenly, a blast of lightning, fire and water hit the beast, causing it to stumble backwards and fall onto its back.

"What!?" Jacu yelled as they saw what happened.

"NIA, LET'S GO!" Rex's voiced shouted behind them.

"Got it Rex!" Nia yelled as the rest of the group joined them.

"Whoa…!" Corvin yelled as they saw Nia in a new look.

Nia appears more visually similar to a kitsune. She retains her facial markings, eyes, and elongated canines from her Driver form. Her hair now comes down to her legs and is styled into very low twin tails tied up with red shimenawa-like rope. Her ears are now much longer, point upwards and outwards, and are decorated around the base. Her clothing resembles a miko outfit, which consists of a white gold-and-red trimmed leotard, with her Core Crystal, which was shaped like an upside down blue geometric kite with red blotches on her chest, revealing her to be a Blade, a Flesh Eater. Both the leotard and sleeves are adorned with red rope with the former decorated with golden bells. She was wearing high heels that are red with large gold spikes on the toe caps, with gold-trimmed white thigh-high leggings.

"Ah! You've come at last!" Jacu yelled as the rest of the group prepared to strike.

"Need some help?" Floren asked them.

"We'll take it from here. Brighid!" Mòrag yelled.

"Right!" Brighid yelled.

"Rex, let's give it to it!" Nia said while handing him a scimitar.

"Right! Combo attack!" Rex yelled.

With the group back together, they brought down the behemoth with all their might. The six Blades caught onto how powerful Nia really was in her Blade form with those water powers, and healing capabilities.

After they took it down, they returned to Fonsett Village where the residence have made a safe return.

"All of you…I cannot thank you enough for what you've done." Corrine said.

"We do our best Corrine." Corvin said.

"Say…where are Robyn and Lilika? Aren't they your Drivers?" Corrine asked them.

"Torna took them." Praxis answered.

"Oh dear…that is very serious. I do hope they are okay, Robyn especially." She said with sadness.

"He was willing to go quietly with them…with extreme measures to save us." Dromarch said.

"Mistress also went along willingly. Unfortunately, lovely Pyra was captured after Mistress Lilika and Lord Robyn were taken." Mayonaka said while looking down.

"Well in any case, feel free to stay here to rest if needed." Corrine said.

"Thanks auntie." Rex said.

"I have to say Nia…you look like a late teenager like this. I love it." Jacu complimented.

"I am in agreement." Theory said.

"Huh? Oh! Uhh…thank you…?" Nia said with a confused voice.

"So…you've decided to bond with Rex." Perun said while looking at the scimitar attached behind Rex's back.

"Well…it happened when we reached the end of the cavern, we were facing off against these shadow monsters that look like humans. She saw us getting hurt and she finally let loose everything. She became a Blade, and she was now freed from her burdens. She opened up to me on the way, and she, in a way, resonated with me. So…here she is." Rex explained.

"She also confessed from what I heard." Roc said.

"That's so cute." Perun said with a smile.

"Except he said he loved her…and all of us" Wulfric said.

That unfortunately killed all the moods.

"It was disappointing." Agate said.

"She likely meant as a romance, but Lord Rex took it as a dear friend. Kind of sweet." Mayonaka said.

"Hmm…" Vale was thinking until she snuck up from behind Nia and playfully shoved her into Rex. "Oops!" Vale yelled.

She landed onto Rex while he caught her. They then saw how close they were to their faces. Their faces turned red.

"Uh…" Rex was trying to say.

"AH!" Nia squeaked.

Vale then took it a bit further and forced them to kiss.

"MMPH!" Their voices were muffled when their lips met, sealing their first kiss. Their eyes were shot wide, and their pupils shrank. When they finally got a chance to pull away, they backed away from each other.

"That's more of what she probably meant." Vale said.

"VALE!" Rex shouted at her.

'Maybe if I do the same to Zeke and Pandoria…' Floren thought to himself and gave a mischievous smirk.

"Well that happened." Zeke said while Nia was still recovering from the sneak attack. "Who'd've thought that Nia was a Blade too?" He asked.

"It is indeed quite the surprise." Mayonaka said.

"Why didn't you tell us, Nia?" Rex asked.

"I just didn't, OK?" She asked.

"No, it's not OK!" Rex said angrily.

"You lot really are like children, aren't you?" Mòrag asked.

"Huh? What'd you mean?" Rex asked her.

"You'll understand one day." She answered.

"Hey, y'know, me, Rex, Nia…we've all got some kind of…deep Blade connection going on with us, haven't we?" Zeke asked everyone.

"To tell the truth…I am a little envious." Mòrag admitted.

"Lady Mòrag…?" Brighid said to her.

"You know, I'm sure it could be arranged." Zeke said while showing his chest and revealed a piece of a Core Crystal where his heart would be at.

"My word! Lord Zeke! What has happened!?" Mayonaka yelled as she saw the crystal in his chest. That caught everyone else off guard.

"Oh! I guess I never told you. On our first voyage to Leftheria, me and Pandy were talking about my past a bit and how I almost died and Indol came to our aide. You see…it all started a few years back. I was critically injured and Pandy was on the verge of returning to her crystal because of my stupidity. The Praetor rescued us and did a bit of a surgical procedure on me with her crystal. With regenerative cells, and her power, call me a Blade Eater." Zeke explained.

From that, Pandoria's glasses finally cleared up and beautiful green eyes were shown.

"That's incredible. But isn't it strange how he knew how to do that?" Mayonaka asked.

"Its origins are from Judicium, or Temperantia as it's called now." Zeke said.

"I see." She said.

"Would it…leave a scar?" Mòrag asked.

"That's kinda part of the bargain." Zeke said.

"In that case, maybe not." She said while looking away. She then looked back at Brighid, who had a bit of an anger look at her. "N-no, that's not what I meant! It's just…" Mòrag was trying to say but cut herself off.

Brighid smiled at her from her words and chuckled.

"Relax. Much as I appreciate the sentiment, I wouldn't want you to harm yourself." Brighid said with an ensuring voice.

"Anyway, what do we do now? It's all well and good that we escaped, but we've got nothing to show it." Nia said.

"Don't worry. I know where we have to go." Rex said.

"Are you sure, Rex? You know Pyra's location?" Azurda asked, gaining everyone's attention.

"I think so." Rex said as he closed his eyes and recalled a vision he had back from the crucible. "Near the World Tree. I see a rotting Titan…she's there." Rex said when he opened his eyes.

"A rotting Titan. Could it be?" Mòrag asked when she began to realize something.

"What is it? Mòrag knows such a place?" Tora asked.

"Close by the World Tree…against the side of the Great Void…I've heard there's a Titan known as the Cliffs of Morytha." Mòrag explained.

"Morytha…that name sounds familiar. Lady Mòrag, there are tales…tales of a 'land of the dead.' And the cliffs that leads into the depths." Dromarch said while looking back at the Inquisitor.

"Yes. Indeed. The Land of Morytha…a place no living soul ever witnessed. Well then…" Mòrag said while looking towards the World Tree.

"That will be where Robyn and Lilika are as well, most likely." Mayonaka said while they all looked at the tree.

"Now the question is, how are we getting to the Cliffs of Morytha?" Nia asked.

"I doubt just any sailor would be willing to give us a ride." Azurda said while thinking.

"Yeah, they're not gonna be keen on going to that close to the World Tree." Zeke said while pondering.

"In that case, I will charter a military vessel. It may not be the most efficient route, but it will be reliable, I can assure you that much." Mòrag said.

"That our Special Inquisthing!" Tora yelled while trying to recall what her title was.

"Special Inquisitor." Poppi corrected her Driver.

"Haha…some might consider this an abuse of my privileges, you know." Mòrag pointed out.

"So are we headed to the port at Hardhaigh Palace in Mor Ardain?" Rex asked.

"Yes. Brighid, would you send word ahead that we are coming?" Mòrag asked her Blade.

"Of course, Lady Mòrag. Leave it to me." Brighid said.

"Right. Then let's get moving!" Nia yelled.

With a plan ready to go, the chase is on for reaching the Cliffs of Morytha. How will things play out with our heroes? Will Robyn and Lilika successfully claim Akhos and Patroka as allies? Will Mikhail ever grow a brain that Patroka despises him so much? Find out more next time as the Cliffs of Morytha and more arrive as the story continues.