Finally they could move on, out of Makna Forest and into a new issue for Egil. From suffocating heat, they entered the Bionis, staring down at a pool of ether in its third lung… Egil didn't know much about organic life anatomy, but that seemed a bit unhealthy.
But he didn't have much time to think about it. As soon as they had entered the titan, he'd started to feel sick. It got worse every second they were within it, and he doubted it would get any better diving right into the ether…
"Egil." Alvis placed a hand on his arm. "Come on, we should continue forward. We'll have to jump down."
"Ah yes…" He let out a shaky sigh. "We need to keep moving."
"Come on, then." Vanea took his hand, giving it a squeeze. "We'll jump together."
He nodded and allowed her to pull him down into the ether, sickness growing in his stomach as they all landed in the ether. Swimming to the edge of it was torture alone, but there was still further to go. More area to cover.
"It's so strange." Kallian spoke as they all looked around. "It almost feels as if the Bionis is… awakening."
"I'd rather not think about that." Linada shook her head. "The thought of it attacking our people again… it sends chills down my spine."
"Attacking your people?" Tyrea frowned. "You speak as if the Mechonis did not strike the Bionis as well!"
"That may be true, but Lady Meyneth only acted to protect us." Linada frowned at her, hand on her hip.
"How are you so certain?"
Vanea sighed, shaking her head. "We lived through it, Tyrea. It's hard for us to not know."
"I…"
"Tyrea speak out of turn." Oka shook her head, patting her leg. "There, there. Oka not mad at you."
"I didn't ask you!"
"Enough." Egil held his head with a groan. "We need to get out of here…"
"Egil, are you alright?" Kallian frowned, moving to support the Machina. "You look ill."
"Being inside the Bionis, it's… getting to me." He groaned as Alvis made it to his other side. "Can we please get out of here?"
"Let's go." Alvis started them towards the exit, he and Kallian holding Egil up.
As they walked, it became harder and harder for Egil to stay upright. But he had to, he reminded himself. They would be out of here soon enough, and he would feel fine again. It was just the inner portion messing with him…
He groaned a bit, his feet starting to drag. He felt like he was about to pass out, barely able to keep his eyes open. His breathing was getting heavy, his eyes unfocused, and before he knew it… The world went dark.
When Egil came to, he felt better (if only slightly so). They were no longer within the Bionis, instead sitting in what seemed to be a marshland of sorts, statues on either side of them. He preferred this to the interior, sure, but his head still ached with pain.
He looked at himself, and realized he was back in his regular armor. He supposed someone (likely Vanea) had changed him into something he would find more comfortable while he was unconscious. And he supposed the others had also changed-
"Egil." Vanea was quick to be at his side, holding his hand as he sat up. "How are you feeling?"
"Better… don't worry." He held his head with a groan. "So, where are we?"
"This is Satorl Marsh, currently we're at the Sororal Statues." Alvis spoke up, voice soft. "You were out for quite a while, we were worried."
"No need to worry anymore…" He pulled himself up, Vanea helping him along the way. "Tell me, are these statues important to any of the races we'll be seeing?"
"Ah, yes! They are statues of our twin goddesses of order and justice!" Kallian perked up a bit, though Egil couldn't find the same joy from it. "Soltnar of order and Khatorl of justice."
"I see." He nodded, still feeling his head drifting into a fog. "Then… how do we get to the bottom of the statues?"
"That should not be a problem." Alvis turned to Kallian, a smile on his face. "You have the emblem of the High Entia, do you not?"
"Indeed." He nodded and made his way to what seemed to be an elevator, humming as he placed his hand on it.
It came to life at that moment, the lights sparking on as the platform opened to them. Some sort of High Entia technology only usable by the royal family, then, he supposed? Well, Egil decided against thinking on it too much. Biological beings had a knack for being strange, after all.
Instead, he let Vanea and Linada lead him to the transport. Stepping on, he let out a sigh as he watched the scenery, the group travelling downward. Things would hopefully look up from here.
The boy with the Monado… He would find him and then… well, he didn't know what he would do. Maybe he would get revenge for his people and for the emperor. Maybe he would do as Lady Meyneth had asked and try to talk him down.
That was a question for another time, when his head was no longer swimming in fog, he supposed. When he could think straight and find the answer that felt right to him. Not only to Kallian or to Lady Meyneth.
He just hoped there was an answer that would feel right.
"Oka realize something about Tyrea!" The Nopon placed her wings on her side, chest puffed out as she walked with the High Entian assassin.
"Oh? And what do you think you realized, grandma?" She frowned down at her, but decided to play along for now.
"Oka not grammypon! Oka is mamapon!" She slapped Tyrea across the bum and Tyrea let out a yelp. "Oka just proven right already! Tyrea no have good mamapon in life, so Tyrea rude!"
"Excuse me?" She covered her bum, huffing. "What makes you think that? And what gives you the right to slap me like that?!"
"Not slap! Just spank!" Oka huffed. "If Tyrea no have good mamapon yet, Oka will have to do! Oka teach Tyrea to be kind bird lady!"
"You'll do no such thing!" She scoffed, shaking her head. "I don't need a Nopon trying to mother me!"
"Tyrea only say that because she not realize what she miss out on!" Oka sighed, shaking her head. "So sad, but it okay! Oka will be here for Tyrea, even if she not want her!"
Her wings began to flap in annoyance and she let out a grunt. Why was Oka trying to do this? Tyrea had a mother, even if Yumea may not be the best by the standards of most! She did not need this thing trying to step in and take that role!
But Oka stared up at her, seemingly thinking this was a wonderful idea… It made Tyrea sick! Oka had no clue what it would mean to be the mother of someone with so much blood on their hands! She never would!
"This is a pointless conversation!" She shook her head, finally speaking again. "I have no interest in playing house with you while you are away from your children."
"Oka not playing!" Oka began to flap her wings, closer to Tyrea's eye level for a moment. "Oka really think Tyrea need good mamapon! And Oka want to be that for her!"
"You're nothing to me!" And with that, she marched off, fighting back the strange feeling the offer left in her chest.
