AN: Going into some speculation and more personal worldbuilding later on in this chapter. Helpful and kind reviews are welcome!
Also, as previously stated: those who leave guest reviews that are unrelated to the story or unhelpful will be deleted. You are not doing me or anyone any favors by nitpicking that this or that isn't mentioned. Just because a Crossover states it is related to one story, doesn't mean it has to have everything you are expecting.
Just because I have Hellsing listed on this story, does not mean it will have much to do with it as canon. I shouldn't have to explain this to readers and receiving a comment after 42 chapters just to be told 'oh this has nothing hellsing in it, I am no longer reading' is unhelpful and childish.
To the Guest reader responsible for both unhelpful comments, I've deleted them as you appear to be too much a coward to say who you are. Enjoy or don't, reviewing to 'warn off others' is a dick move and unappreciated.
Additionally; Chapters are going to be slower now as I am getting into a lot of original stuff now and haven't fleshed out the story beyond here that much.
Pyrus you take after me far too closely.
Xerxes hoped Zera had not been too injured in the crash, he knew Pyrus had been injured even beforehand, could tell through his stubborn resolve that he had forced himself to keep control of the ship until Xerxes had managed to use his own ship to give Pyrus just enough lift to clear the ledge. Xerxes himself, however, knew it would be a problem for him to shapeshift if injured, and had pre-emptively shifted to his Firian form before the crash, thanking the powers that be he did as he had to grit his teeth to keep from crying out in agony. An overhead electrical pipe peice had come loose in the crash, stabbing through his back and right lung, but thankfully did not exit nor was it going to be easy to remove, at least it would be out of his way.
Opting to open a comm channel quickly, he could tell his screenshare was out, and could only transmit voice. He supposed that was a good thing, as only Cryos would really recognize his voice to be altered.
"Thank the Glacier you're still alive, what's going on down there, the smoke..." Cryos' voice shook audibly, he worried for Xerxes' condition almost as much as he did for Zera, which Xerxes smiled at, offering a harsh cough he barely stifled at first before he spoke, hesitantly.
"Zera... is unharmed... Pyrus... Cryos, no matter what, he is priority." Xerxes' voice sounded different, his pained cough worse than what they had heard before likely from an injury he accrued in the crash. Xerxes envisioned the looks of confusion and concern from the other leaders. "I'm injured, however he is more so. Samateus and Khilseith also know my wishes."
"Damn you, NOW? You can't do that to him!" Cryos' angry retort was then cut off, Xerxes turning to run from his ship and head for Pyrus' ship, cursing under his breath and offering a glance at Samateus as she appeared.
**Xerxes! You need to wait for the recovery crews-**
**No, there's no time!** He angrily shot back, thankful he remembered how Icean craft had built in release switches on the outside of the hull for the loading ramp, quickly finding one and yanking it down, ignoring as pain tore through his shoulder and chest, the ramp thudding down and barely missing hitting him as it was released from its housing. He quickly clambered inside, and met Zera's eyes. She gaped at first, quickly noticing his ear spines and realizing exactly what he had done, that Magmus standing before her, was actually him, Xerxes, the entire time.
"Xerxes? I thought... You said-" Zera stammered, visibly shaking lightly as Xerxes clambered into the ship.
"Zera, I've already told your father the same, but I need you to listen to me." Xerxes gently grasped both her hands with his, neither caring that his hands were coated in his blood as her gaze locked on his. "Pyrus must live. I don't care what needs to be taken from me, He must live. Do you understand?" Zera's hurried and exuberant nod made him smile lightly, he moved aside and quickly hurried her out. "The second engine's about to go. Get to Sam."
Xerxes did not wait to ensure she had gone before he was undoing the remnants of the pilot restraints and cautiously lifted Pyrus into his arms, able to smell the faint ozone remnants of Icean nanite use and smirked, figuring Zera had vented her nanites into Pyrus. As he left the back of the ship, the high-pitched whine was accompanied by another worrying sound, which forwarned Xerxes he would need to use his elemental affinity to save them from the resulting explosion, just as Pyrus had started to rouse.
"Dad?" Pyrus breathed, confused and disoriented, but Xerxes could tell, his son would figure out his deception in time, but would need his help to survive this, in the form of physical sacrifice of tissues. Xerxes stood after carefully depositing Pyrus on the stone, heart clenching as he noticed Pyrus' pain, focused on the flames now a part of his being, and the ship about to explode before him.
**I'm sorry Pyrus, for hiding this from you... I hope you can forgive me in time.** Xerxes sent to Pyrus privately, glad that his tears were turned to mist as the ship exploded brilliantly, heat and flames gladly answering him and dancing around away from Samateus and Zera, and instead gathering in a massive ball before him. The flames felt as though they caressed him and Pyrus as they obeyed, gathered harmlessly and happily tossed into the atmosphere just beyond the Aurora.
As though it took physical exertion, Xerxes found his strength failing him and he fell to a knee, smiled at Pyrus who had passed out once again, glanced to Samateus and Zera, before he too collapsed.
Where he expected nothingness, weightlessness or perhaps even the acid-burning flames of what he assumed would be his afterlife in Hel for failing his family and Goddess, Xerxes soon became aware that there was a rythmic beeping nearby. One he knew all too well, from many times being hooked to machines that monitored his heart rate, breathing, brain activity, etcetera. He felt no pain, figured it to be due to the painkillers in his system, before he realised he could feel another warmth against his left arm, as though another Firian remained with their head on his arm.
Firian? Wait, no, now he remembered, he had changed forms and had not shifted back after the crash, for Pyrus' sake. So he must have survived himself, only by the gift of the Goddess he assumed, until he caught the slightest psionic brush in his mind, and his heart sank.
**He'd be dead now if not for you.** That voice, so much like his own, but yet. No. No, he did not listen did he? Had Pyrus actually woken the Maker?
**Indeed, and saved the lives of billions in the process. I only wish he had done so sooner.** Xerxes cracked open his weary eyes fully expecting a more Rockian face, the Leonine one more akin to how Samateus had once described the being that stood next to his bed, opening a wing to shield him from the artificial lighting for a moment. Before responding though, Xerxes could only smile as he realised Pyrus had fallen asleep next to him, and Samateus beyond him, in her birth form, asleep on the floor with Kemet atop her horns.
**Damn... I had hoped it would not come to such, yet I am glad he did... How... How did the others take things?** Xerxes hesitantly asked, taking in a cautious deep breath, worried it would cause him some harm or make him cough, and he did not wish to wake his son. His son, who he had lied to and deceived for months now, appeared to have forgiven him despite, and had made a life-altering contract to save him and so many others. Xerxes found he had to fight to keep the wrenching of his heart from causing him to sob with relief.
**As well as you might expect, of course there were a few... Complications and interesting interactions, however the draconic bloodlines have been put to task with all five peoples, though we may need to make other accomodations for the Firians as the battle moon is rather cramped.** Leon purred in his mind soothingly, reassuringly, confident that he had control of things, smoothed out most of the expected hostilities thanks to Xerxes' deceptions and the necessary precautions he had taken, and brought the hidden legacy he had put into place millennia ago back into the light. Xerxes relaxed, he had not realised he had tensed at all until he did so, glad to be able to do so for the first time in as long as he could remember, even when he had stepped back in favour of Khilseith becoming Grand Adjudicator, he had not relaxed so wholly.
**Perhaps then you will actually do so, instead of putting yourself in harms way?** Samateus chimed, Xerxes barely holding from jumping up. Even Leon's fur rose near comically at her suddenly letting them know she was awake, the Leonine humanoid shaking himself lightly and resettling his wings, lightly glaring at her. Xerxes smirked himself, lightly nodding.
**I suppose now I have no choice, though I am loathe to do so.** Xerxes then looked over Pyrus, still asleep next to him, head atop his arms and gently leaning against one of Xerxes' own, realizing he appeared to have aged in the short period Xerxes had been comatose, or so he assumed.
**Apologies, my doing. It will not affect him negatively in any way, promise. And before you ask, no, I cannot transfer the contract, even if you are his father.** Leon responded to the unspoken question as Xerxes glared up at him, the Firian Ahr'aht nodding lightly and sighing, closing his eyes as he slightly shifted his legs, making sure he had not lost control of anything without thinking. This seemed to rouse Pyrus, who groaned lightly as he sat up, rubbing an eye lightly as he realized Leon stood next to him, lightly leaning on the bedside.
"Hey, what time is it? After all the talk and activity yesterday I must have needed that..." Pyrus smirked up at his new friend and companion, moving to idly rub the back of his neck with his left hand, right still on the bed for a moment. Leon looked to the screen readouts a moment before he closed them down and the monitors dissipated as dismissed, Pyrus raising a brow before his eyes went wide and he finally turned to Xerxes, who wore a tired smile. Neither spoke for a moment before Pyrus quickly moved to embrace Xerxes, who chuckled lightly and carefully returned it, arms still feeling alien to him as he recovered.
"I'm so glad you're awake." Pyrus mused, hesitant to let go at first, but gladly sat back when Leon nudged him to let him know Samateus had gotten up to do the same, though had not changed forms and instead gently nuzzled Xerxes' chest, purring happily and enjoying the gentle embrace and scritches to her cheeks. Xerxes held her still a moment, pressing the side of his face against her crest as she closed her eyes a moment, the motion very personal to Taalrulthians and a sign of trust and love. Pyrus smirked a bit at the two, Leon turning to the door as it opened, moving to stand behind Pyrus as Pelvus and Cryos entered.
"Thank the Glacier you're finally awake." Cryos smiled, quickly crossing the space to stand next to Samateus as she withdrew, Xerxes shifting cautiously to ensure he was completely healed before attempting anything further.
"To be entirely honest, I was not sure I would. I am glad for it though, Ashtareen is fond of giving second chances." Xerxes chuckled, sitting up carefully, Samateus gladly moving to help support him, his hand instinctively resting on her headcrest as he swung around toward Cryos and moved to stand. Pyrus was on his feet in a flash, moving to help as well from his father's other side, Cryos stepping back to give him space, but held out a hand just in case Xerxes pitched forward suddenly. Pelvus watched the whole thing much as Leon did, ready to leap into action if needed but well enough out of the way to not be an obstacle.
"I wasn't about to let you go that easy." Pyrus grinned, carefully letting go of Xerxes as he steadied on his feet, testing his ankles carefully and stretching, Samateus moving to curl her neck around him and use a forelimb almost like a shield to ensure that if he lost his balance or wobbled, she would catch him. Xerxes gently pat the side of her neck once he was steady again, glad that he at least had his isopod armour covering his lower half. Instinctively it melted and reformed to almost exactly match the armour he wore as Emperor of planet Fire, Pyrus blinking lightly and smile widening as he realized the design to be exactly what his had been modeled from, Samateus nodding at him before shifting to her humanoid form, still close to Xerxes' side.
"Neither were the rest of us, not after such a secret being exposed. I must say, you played it off well despite how close you were to events." Pelvus mused with a grin, Xerxes returning it with a toothy one of his own.
"I have always been one to study and learn from my opponents, Spine was no different. Though I still loathe to admit it, and do not condone involving civilians." Xerxes then moved to gently turn Pyrus toward him, holding him at arms length and looking him over, taking in a deep breath a moment before meeting his gaze. "You have no idea how proud I am of you. Despite everything I-" Pyrus did not let him finish, quickly catching him in a crushing hug that would have put Graveheart to shame, Xerxes gladly returning it. Pelvus held back his verbal cooing over the pair, Cryos and Samateus simply smiling as they watched on a long moment before Samateus jumped suddenly and her good ear went flat.
"What's wrong?" Xerxes asked, not needing to turn to know that something had startled his Taalrulthian companion, but reluctantly released his hold on Pyrus as the Prince withdrew slightly to get a look at Samateus.
"Nope, can't say it. Gotta go. No shifting until Sairyllia has a chance to be here with you when you do, got it?" Samateus moved to gently hug Pyrus and Xerxes both before quickly teleporting away, even Pelvus raising a brow in confusion. Cryos simply sighed, shaking his head.
"I believe I know, however I am certain the others would like to know you're awake. I'm certain you're famished, having been here and fighting for your life for several days without food." Cryos offered an outstretched hand, which Xerxes gladly shook, the two sharing a nod and ignoring the dissipating steam from the reaction caused by their touch.
"I assume then we are still on the Aurora? I suppose this is as good a place as any, and yes, though I should be cautious of course." Xerxes idly glanced at Leon who had remained silent the entire conversation and now stood at his back as Blaze had many times in the past, his guard and support when the Vizier had not been around. Pyrus caught the sentiment and sighed, looking up at Leon who flicked an ear lazily.
"You know why he needs to be careful for a bit yet, I'm not about to let him or you out of my sight anytime soon." Leon responded rather flatly, Pyrus smirking.
"Give us arms length at least?"
Zera had known something was off all morning, she just found no matter how she tried, every position was just uncomfortable and her carapace itched incessantly while she tried to concentrate on her lessons. Her tutor even noticed she was unable to get comfortable long enough even to finish a simple paragraph and respond to it, suggesting she take the rest of the day, assuming Zera was preoccupied with her alliance friends and happenings with them. What neither saw coming, was that as Zera made to return to her rooms to change, pain rocketed through her so suddenly she was nearly knocked to the ground by it.
"Oh no... Not now." Zera breathed, sucking in a deep shuddering breath to steel herself as she attempted to force herself into her room. She managed to barely shuffle the last few meters to the door, and nearly collapsed through the door, a painful spasm making her legs cramp and resist responding to her. A series of loud snapping noises and cracks followed, causing her to gasp audibly as she suddenly felt better, and instantly knew why without looking. She did anyway, antennae standing straight on end as she glimpsed the split in her exoskeleton on the side of her lower leg, the soft underlying tissue beneath a brilliant white as would be expected, visibly bulging slightly still as she knew there to be even more needing to be freed from her now old skin.
Thinking quickly, Zera cautiously touched the stone on the choker around her neck, surprised at first by Samateus' sudden joyful emotion, smiling herself when she learned in that instant that Xerxes -recently revealed to the group to be Pyrus' father the late Emperor Magmus, which still bothered Zera in its convenience- had finally woken. While Zera shared in the excitement and was grateful that Pyrus would have his father back and the group would finally be able to address Xerxes' deceptions directly, Zera needed help and did not wish to cause to much of a scene.
**Help? Oh, lemme see if I can grab Virian too, Leon's watchin the Fireboys with your dad so I'll be there in a flash.** Samateus took only a second to remember one of Cryos' concerns in regard to Zera that Xerxes had mentioned to her previously, before the crash, and understood what Zera meant immediately. Zera meanwhile slowly crawled her way to her bed, hissing lightly at the cracking and snapping sounds from some of her joints as she managed to heavily heave herself up using all four arms, as a flash of light deposited Samateus and Virian near her bed.
"Princess! Oh Glacier, I hope you weren't alone long..." Virian was at her side in a breath, helmet removed and set aside as Samateus moved around to the other side of Zera to help Virian in moving her more comfortably onto the bed, and removing her outer garments carefully. Both froze and removed their hands when Zera gasped at a sudden sharp pain and more audible snapping and cracking ushered forth from Zera's splitting exoskeleton, sections of her arms and back now coming apart. Virian noticed though that there were cracks that ran through larger sections, where there were not supposed to be at all, Zera's new exoskeleton underneath bulging noticably and worryingly.
"Glacier it itches..." Zera groaned, fingers twitching involuntarily and erratically as more of her old outer exoskeleton split and lifted, even her cheeks and the edges of her eyes showing signs of lifting. Virian gingerly moved to help carefully lift off and remove some smaller sections she could tell had completely come free, Samateus taking queues from her to help Zera with the delicate sections of her fingers and forearms, the two working to help Zera slowly remove her juvenile exoskeleton, both shocked as they continued.
As though freed from a cage, Zera appeared to uncurl herself to be taller even than Virian, long limbs unfurling and taking gentle coaxing to straighten out and begin hardening. Her face seemed unchanged, save for her mandible spines growing out a bit in length and her antennae lengthening. As they reached the section of her back between her secondary arms, both had to quickly move aside, as six long dragonfly-like wings unfurled and lay shimmering alongside her. Virian gasped and simply stared as Samateus smiled and moved to lie alongside Zera, who appeared to attempt to rest as she waited for her new exoskeleton to harden, fingers and other joints flexing as they relaxed.
"All went great, you look fantastic." Samateus reassured, offering a gentle purr. Zera smiled a moment, then relaxed again, carefully opening an eye.
"What was the gasp for?" She asked quietly, Virian meeting Samateus' gaze and shrugging lightly.
"You aren't going to believe it, but you have wings. They're beautiful, you're going to love them." Samateus soothed, chuckling lightly at Zera's eyes snapping open and antennae sticking straight up. She soon relaxed, realizing she would indeed, have to wait a bit as her arms had no strength yet to hold her, deciding instead to ask Samateus some questions.
"So how did Pyrus react to Xerxes being awake?" Zera sounded exhausted, though Samateus could tell it was less from physical exertion than from the pain of her body pushing off its exoskeleton.
"They both seemed happy just to have each other back, in official capacity. Xerxes is already up on his feet and he and your father seem on good terms, Leon isn't going to let anything happen to either, though there's more reason for him to keep Xerxes safe for a bit anyway. Something Leon and Pyrus have as stipulation, nothing to worry about. Pelvus is also there, so he will keep them from doing anything too strenuous." Samateus explained, holding her purr, gently stretching a wing out to lightly cover Zera with it, exuding an aura of calm and encouraged Zera into a light sleep.
**Sam? Cryos is beside himself with worry all of a sudden after Medstar sent him a message about Zera, but he's shut me out. How did her molt go?** Xerxes' thoughts chimed in her head after several minutes of silence, Virian watching the two from a chair next to Zera's bed. Samateus smiled knowingly, gently lifting her wing to take a look over Zera who had shifted her position as she slept but appeared to have already almost completely recovered, her new pale white exoskeleton having darkened to the rich cobalt blue she had on her old one, wings transparent and clear near the edges.
**She's just fine, if not better. I think she's taller than he is.**
**Oh gods, a few are going to have a fit when they see her.** Samateus could almost see the grin on her brother, likely garnering further attention from the rest with him.
**You have no idea.**