"Look at the sights from here…" Linada whistled as they made it onto the twisting path leading into the mines. "We can see the Mechonis from here."
Egil looked out across the distance and he could indeed see just a bit of the Mechonis. It looked so small from all the way out here, less imposing than a giant he had lived his life on should be. It was strange, but he could not stop staring, almost longing to go home, for just a few moments.
But now wasn't the time for that. He could go home later, speak with Miqol and everyone else that he missed so dearly. It was strange, though, actually missing them all like this. He had pulled away from them all, but without them around… It left a bit of a void.
He put a hand to his chest and sighed. He wondered how much of that longing was Lady Meyneth and not his own. At times, it was hard to tell the difference between the two, his body never feeling quite like just his own anymore. He supposed that was better than being dead, but…
"We truly have come a long way, haven't we?" Instead, he spoke, wanting to ensure Linada didn't catch onto his thoughts. "I never would have expected to come so far, especially not in such a short amount of time."
"Indeed, I suppose a lot of surprises have been had on this journey, though." Linada glanced at the rest of the group, sorting through their packs before they went much farther. "High Entia, a Nopon, a Homs… Strange races, working alongside us, despite our messy history with the Bionis."
"I suppose they have their own reasons for being all the way out here, their own lives that led to us joining forces." Egil shook his head. "It's not too surprising when you think about it that way."
"Oh my, sounds like even you're coming far." Linada chuckled, hand to her lips. "I never expected to hear something like that from you!"
"What? Can I not learn to… understand other perspectives?" He huffed, clearly embarrassed as he turned away. "Being on Bionis has given me plenty to think about, you know."
"No, no, it's not that." She shook her head. "I just thought Alvis would put you further into your way of thinking, with how the two of you get at it sometimes. It's nice to see I was wrong."
"Now, don't get too ahead of yourself. I understand Kallian and Tyrea's reasons for being here, but not Alvis. Alvis is… a total mystery."
"Maybe he just likes you." Linada poked him in the side. "Don't know how your awkward self is going to deal with that, though."
"Oh you be quiet!" He returned the jab with a huff. "Alvis and his feelings are impossible to read, you and I both know that. No point in speculating."
"You say, blushing." Linada shook her head. "Don't worry, I won't tell him how flustered you got at the suggestion."
"Linada I'm five seconds from throwing you off the path."
"You don't have the guts."
"Up so high, even without being at Bird People's home or Frontier Village!" Oka jumped up and down as they walked along. "Oka want to take flight!"
"Nopon cannot fly, fool." Tyrea rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "Your wings are not made for it."
"Neither are Bird People wings, but Bird People can fly!" Oka huffed and Tyrea refused to look at her, for she knew she was right. How had Oka learned about that? And how had she learned about that and not learned that they used wind-based ether to aid them?
Tyrea was so caught up in her thinking, she forgot to reply to Oka, letting the Nopon stand there looking victorious. Of course that wouldn't be much of a problem if it wasn't for the fact Nopon were very stupid. At least, Tyrea thought they were and she felt she was watching herself be proven right in real time.
She watched as Oka moved to the edge, flapping her wings. Watched as the Nopon indeed began to hover. Watched as she moved just a bit, away from the safety of the ground. It was about when Oka began to fall that she jumped into action, gathering wind ether as she swooped to catch Oka.
Letting out a sigh, Tyrea used the currents to fly in a small circle, putting Oka down safely on the ground before landing herself. Hands on her hips, she glared down at Oka, ready to give her a piece of her mind.
"We can only fly because of our ether control, you fool! It's not something someone like you could do!" She shook her head. "You do realize you could have died doing that, don't you?! Did you want us to have to tell your children you didn't make it because you were an utter fool?!"
"Oka is sorry…" She looked down. "Oka didn't realize, Oka no want family to be sad or lose Oka!"
"Then be more careful…" The anger left her voice as she deflated a bit, no longer feeling it as she watched Oka's reaction. She wasn't expecting her to react like that! She looked like some kicked cat…
"Oka will be, promise!" Oka nodded fiercely. "...Will Tyrea help Oka out? Help Oka be careful when she has stupid moments?"
Tyrea sighed, trying to ignore the way Oka was looking at her, but oh… She was weak. Much weaker than she would ever willingly admit to someone. Oka didn't need to know that, though, so she would just word this carefully.
"I suppose, just so I don't have your children crying all over my legs." She rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "But it will be mostly up to you to stay safe, understand?"
"Oka understand!" She nodded, jumping into Tyrea's arms. "Together, Oka and Tyrea will be unbeatable!"
She rolled her eyes. "Yes, yes. Whatever makes you happy."
Into the Drainage Tunnel they went, listening to the water under their feet splashing. Egil looked around with a frown, an odd feeling already starting to creep into him. Being inside of the Bionis… he really wasn't a fan of it.
Passing by some Nopon (why they were in such a dangerous place, Egil didn't know), soon enough they were fully in the mine. It didn't take too long to see the Mechon, either. Old models, but still dangerous enough, glitching through the area.
He could tell by the noises they let out and the way they moved that something was very wrong. Killing the glitch source had not been enough, apparently. Maybe there was another glitched Mechon, somewhere on Bionis? That was a scary thought, but…
Well, if it was around here, they would be able to deal with it without too much issue. Their group had quite the synergy, often able to take down enemies fairly easily, no matter who led the charge.
He just hoped the dense armor of the Mechon wouldn't be a problem.
"Well, let's move on." He finally spoke again, sighing. "The boy is in real danger if these are the kind of Mechon around."
"Let's. I would hate for him to get hurt because we take too long." Vanea nodded in agreement, moving to take the lead. "Be careful, though, Egil. We don't need a repeat of the interior of the Bionis."
"I'll be fine, don't worry." He shook his head, ignoring the looks everyone was giving him. "We have no time to waste, come on now."
"Fine, but feel free to lean on me if you need to, hm?" Alvis smiled at him as he passed. "I wouldn't mind supporting you."
Egil opened his mouth before letting it close, looking to Kallian. "Is he always like this?"
"He likes to tease, yes." Kallian nodded, giving a small smile. "Don't worry, though, he does it out of love."
He glanced at Alvis before starting off after his sister with a sigh. "I'm not sure I enjoy the loving teasing, to be quite honest."
"Don't worry." Kallian pat his arm. "You'll get used to it."
