Book I: The Nation of Alrest

Chapter IV

I woke up and looked around. Had I been sleeping? I didn't remember going to sleep...

I got off the... ground? As I looked around I realized that I was in an empty void of pure white. I couldn't see anything, I casted no shadow, there seemed to be no light source, and yet everything was just white. Where was I?

I spun around to see someone in the distance. A girl. She was wearing a white dress, but the dress itself cut off at the top of her thighs. Her skin was pale white, and her hair was a golden blonde. Her hair also was very long, going down to the middle of her back.

"Hello?" I called as I approached her. "Do... you know where we are?"

"You are... inside of me," she answered.

"Inside of you? Look lady, if this is some kind of joke—" I began, but she cut me off.

She spun around and looked me in the eyes, her eyes were just as golden as her hair was.

"No. My jokes usually involve people getting kicked or something. This is no joke. I can't remember who I was and I need your help finding that out."

"You've... lost your memory?"

"Not entirely. I know how I've felt ever since I was first resonated, but I don't have faces or names with those feelings," she explained.

"Resonated?" I pondered, but then stopped myself. "Look, I can't help you unless I can help myself. I need a way out of here and then out of Elpys. Can you help me do that?"

She sighed and looked me fiercely in the eye. "I can, but only if you help me discover who I am... who I was in exchange."

"I can try, but I make no promise."

"That will do, now please, place your hand on my chest," she requested.

"I- uh... what?" I said, unintentionally staring at her chest, which was of impressive size to note.

"Ugh, don't be staring you pervert! Just touch my core crystal for Pete's sake!" she yelled.

I jumped back. "Ah! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! Honest!"

She glared at me before sighing. "Fine, whatever."

"Don't you at least want to exchange names first?"

She groaned. "You're Silas, I'm Mythra. Good?" she said abruptly.

"What's your problem? And how do you—?"

She cut me off. "I found out your name and all of your memories when you touched my core crystal. Sorry if I come off a bit brash, but I really don't want to drag this out any longer than I have to. So can we please go?"

I had no idea what I was about to get myself into and I didn't understand who or what she really was, but yet I was intrigued.

I approached her and carefully tapped her core crystal, which was on her chest directly centered above her breasts, with my index finger.

As I did it let out a bright green aura and immediately I woke up, back in Spirit Crucible Elpys.

I got off the ground and checked my surroundings. The three shadowy figures were still staring me down, but not attacking, as if... waiting for me to do something.

I turned around and grabbed the gold-and-white sword. It ignited and surrounded itself in a pure white flame as it opened up, revealing a much bigger blade, made of what looked like white fire.

"I'll take that!" a familiar voice beside him said.

I turned to see the blonde girl standing next to me.

"Ah, yes. Here you are," I said, giving it to her. She took it and swung it around.

"Spirit Crucible Elpys, I assume?" she questioned.

"I thought you said you don't remember anything," I interrogated.

"I don't remember names or how I'm tied to certain things. I remember faces, emotions, places, and actions, but I don't remember how they all tie together. It's complicated. Just know that I know this place limits my power and that we should get out of here sooner rather than later."

"Well the only way out is through them," I said, gesturing towards the three shadows standing across from us.

The ones with the white and red swords immediately bowed and disappeared, but the one with the teal sword still stood his ground.

"Well that's two down," Mythra pointed out.

"Don't worry," I said, drawing my sword and standing in between her and the shadow. "I'll protect you."

https/youtu.be/vRIbGTMit4Y

"Cute," she said sarcastically.

I immediately pulled my pistol and shot him a few times, but he slashed the bullets out of the air.

I pulled my sword and we clashed, he was much, much faster than I was. He spun me around and kicked me to the ground and went for my throat, but Mythra blocked it.

Their speeds were more equally matched, but soon even she was overpowered, sending her sprawling to the ground. I lunged at him, but he simply moved out of the way and knocked me to the ground.

"Pitiful," he said, mocking me.

His sword began glowing brighter than my eyes could handle, and I had to look away, he immediately kicked me and I flew into Mythra.

He sheathed his sword and seemed to look me square in the eye. "You still have much to learn to become the Aegis' Driver. Follow your will, your strength, focus, and you will succeed. Rely on each other, and you will conquer any obstacle. Walk apart, and this world will be ripped asunder, such is the power of the Aegis."

And with that, he disappeared.

I turned and looked at Mythra. "Did that jog your memory at all? He seemed like he knew you pretty well."

She got off the ground. "I wish, he seemed so familiar, but I can't quite explain how."

She walked right by me as I got off the ground too.

"Let's go back," I said. "Maybe Granny will clear things up."

"Hold on, someone's coming," she warned.

We both hid out of sight in between some rocks and a cave wall.

"Can you see?" Mythra asked.

"Somewhat, stay quiet, I'll go check," I said.

"Wait, where are you—?" she started to interrogate, but I had already left.

"Is anyone there?" I called out, with my gun drawn.

"Do not be alarmed," a voice called out.

"I have a gun and sword on me, I will put them away, you should do the same," I warned, holstering my gun.

"We are armed as well, but as long as you do not pose a threat, there will be no issue," he responded.

The man stepped into view. I was six feet tall, but this man stood over a foot above me, he was massive, his arms were half the width of my torso. He was wearing a strange uniform, decorated in shiny medals and colorful cords. The pants were straight and a shrub green, while the large jacket matched the color with golden buttons. His cap looked different then most hats and the same green. Why he wore such a nice uniform in such a mucky cave, I wouldn't know. His hair was grey and his skin was a tan white, his left eye was red and his right was without pupil and he did not smile. He carried a massive gun on his back and a two-handed claymore, definitely much too heavy of a weapon for someone like me to use.

Beside him was a girl, she was about as tall as Mythra, who was about three inches shorter than I was. She looked very muscular, and her skin tone was much darker than his, she was tanned, and was also wearing a uniform, but it was more feminine. She wore a jacket and straight pants just the same, but tailored to fit her physique. Her cap was the same as his, with a curved bill and fitting at the top of her head. Her black hair was pulled back in a bun and her face displayed a serious expression. Her eyes were a dark blue and she carried a long gun, but seemed to be built for medium range, and a single-edged curved blade, definitely one handed and shorter and faster than my own.

"Greetings commoner," the large man said in a deep, booming voice. "I must ask why you are down here in such a dangerous place."

I didn't see too much harm in answering honestly, but I wasn't about to expose Mythra.

"Followed a nasty Aligo down here. Broke my old sword so I came to make sure it didn't come back. You?"

"I'm looking for a certain rock that was said to be down here. A bright green one in a shape that resembles a crucifix. Have you seen one?"

The girl beside him spoke up in her own serious voice. "General I don't believe we should disclose—"

He cut her off. "Leave it Colonel, this young gentleman may have what we are looking for. And if not, well no harm in asking."

I knew I wasn't a good liar, but I knew how to tell half-truths.

"I don't know about any green rock, but there's one hell of an architectural feat in the next room. I'd be willing to bet money it's in there," I responded.

He laughed a very deep laugh. "I like you, what's your name?"

"Silas, yours?"

"I'm General Edwin Adonis, or simply General Adonis. My associate here is Colonel Acacia Uzuki."

"Pleasure to meet you and Miss Uzuki," I bowed courteously.

"Please, just call me Acacia, I'm not fond of my last name."

"Very well Acacia, I must say though, it's a last name unlike any I've heard before."

"It isn't common," she simply stated.

He stopped to look at a certain circular device that was attached to his belt. "Well it appears that rock isn't here after all, we must be headed back to Ysheva Station, I thank you for your time. Colonel, with me."

"Do you require assistance in leaving this cave?" Acacia asked me.

"I don't think so. But if you do see any aligo on your way out, do rough 'em up for me, will ya?" I responded.

General Adonis laughed hysterically. "Oh what the hell, sure kid."

And with that, they were off.

After I was sure they had left, I returned to Mythra.

"They were looking for me?" she asked to clarify.

"Yeah, I don't trust them, but they did bear the emblem of New Torna, we'll wait here for a few hours before leaving."

Eventually we made it through the cave, Mythra said relatively nothing, like she was in deep thought. I guess I couldn't blame her, if I had no tangible memories I'd be constantly confused too. When we finally made it out, it was dark already.

"Alright Mythra, down these steps and we'll be at—" I began, but she interrupted me.

"Fonsett Village, in Leftheria."

"Yeah? Did you remember?"

"No, this place hasn't really changed much at all. It resonated in me and I responded," she explained.

"Weird..." My thoughts were immediately interrupted by a woman tackle hugging me before I could even react.

"Silas where the 'ell 'ave you been? I've been so worried!" Granny exclaimed.

"Relax Granny! I only left this morning!"

"This morning?! You've been gone for three whole days!"

"Three days?" I wasn't quite sure of where the time had gone. I knew that people in caves have habits of losing track of time due to not being able to see the sun, but this seemed a little extreme.

"Well that may be my fault," Mythra spoke up.

Granny looked up at her and her hands trembled as she looked at the girl before her. "Mother of the Architect himself... Mythra... is that really you?"

"I am who I am. You are?"

Granny walked up slowly before hugging her tenderly. "It's been so long since I last saw your face."

Mythra seemed to not know ow to respond, so she froze, refusing to show emotion back, but not willing to reject it.

"Ah! I'm sorry, you may not recognize me. It's me, Nia!" Granny introduced.

"Uhh... Granny?" I said to get her attention. "She doesn't have any full memories of her past, that's why she enlisted my help, to get her memory back."

"You? The driver of the Aegis?" she began laughing.

"The driver of the what?" I asked.

"Mythra, you didn't tell him?" Granny asked.

"That's... my bad. I lost my memory the moment he resonated with me, so... I guess I forgot to mention what he was really signing up for," Mythra apologized.

"What're you on about?" I asked them.

"Do you remember the stories I'd tell you of Rex?" Granny asked.

"Yeah, you said he wielded a legendary blade called the... Aegis," it finally dawned on me what this was.

"Right, this is her, this is Mythra. As her driver, you are sworn to protect her and guide her where she needs to go. Do you think you can do that?" Granny asked.

I realized something might be wrong and immediately explained my encounter with General Adonis and Colonel Acacia.

"The military was supposed to be disposed of back in 4065, why is it being brought back five 'undred years later?" Granny pondered.

"Yeah, when all the nations came together as one Nation of Alrest under the Declaration of Unity, there was no need for a military, as all life now shared one continent and nation to be proud of."

"All I know is that New Torna keeps written records for all blades, the best thing to do is take her there," Granny concluded.

"You want me to... leave Leftheria? Leave Fonsett? Leave you?" I asked in disbelief.

"As the driver of the Aegis, you've got no choice in the matter. She is now your responsibility and you must guard her with your very life, or the entire nation's at stake," she warned. "I'll get you set up to leave by tomorrow, you'll 'ave to get ready to leave by then. Mythra can stay in the guest room."

"I... am unprepared."

"I know, but you'll 'ave to get prepared, you're in for a lot more then you understand."

"Agreed," Mythra said. "Regardless I must leave, if you no longer wish to accompany me I understand, but please make your decision."

"I'll... let you know in the morning, I need to sleep on it," I said.

"Right," Mythra agreed. "Good night Silas."

I wasn't hungry, and so I took a shower and went to bed. I needed time to think, but I passed out before I could even think too deeply.

Readability Level: 9th-10th Grade

Time Taken: 4 Hours

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