Author's note: I don't own Star Ocean Till The End Of Time
The True Nature Of All
Chapter 9: Maria
Everyone reluctantly left, except for Cliff and Fayt. Mirage sent Cliff a curious look, one which he shook off. With everyone gone, Cliff leaned against the door as Airlia spoke; thankfully she kept her voice low, as did they, trying to prevent anyone from eavesdropping. "So, boys, tell me the longer version about your situation and where you are really from."
Cliff weakly smiled as Fayt answered, "I am from a world called Earth. Where you are from is a world called Elicoor II. Cliff is from Klaus III. I was enjoying vacation with my friends and family on another planet when it was attacked by those same strangers that attacked this world and killed Vox in the process. They are called the Vendeeni. Apparently, they are after me. At least, this is according to Cliff."
Airlia looked at the taller, older man as she said, "Really?"
Cliff nodded, "Yeah, his father did something not too nice to him and now Fayt has to pay for it by being hunted down by these clowns."
Airlia nodded, knowing how Fayt must feel, "Well boys, you are both welcome in Airyglyph forever, especially since you two helped to protect me so well. I have this strange feeling, though, in the pit of my stomach that we haven't seen the last of those people." Suddenly a cry from down the halls brought the trio outside. They raced outside of the castle and to the White Dew Gardens to see another ship.
Airlia and Fayt looked at each other before the blue haired man said, "Another one?! Why don't we use the method you guys used to destroy it before?" Cliff looked at the pair and said, "You two don't really remember do you?" Airlia looked at him in confusion, "What do you mean by that Cliff?"
Cliff's expression turned deadly serious. "You two really don't remember? Airlia, you made a shield that covered the whole fighting field; you protected both Airyglyphian and Aquarian alike. When they tried to attack the shield, it reflected back at them and destroyed them. The second ship destroyed the shield, and knocked you out. Fayt was so angry that he created a beam of light that destroyed the second ship." Airlia and Fayt both paled drastically as Cavan sneered. This was what he was sent to find out about, and now he would have to destroy the girl he had lusted after for so long. Cassius also had a dark look as he was thinking about the same thing. They excused themselves and left without looking back. No one thought twice about the loss of the two men who were constantly tormenting the Princess. However, no one doubted that it wasn't the last they had seen of the pair.
However, all the group could do was watch as the ship descended, when a second ship, one that was much smaller appeared. The smaller ship started firing on the larger ship. However, it was in vain as the larger ship fired back, striking the ship. Even though the smaller one retreated, the larger one did as well. However, behind the group, a beam of light formed a circle as a girl appeared. She couldn't have been any older than Fayt was. However, the girl was on the shorter side, being smaller than that of Nel or herself. Her outfit was very strange, but her blue hair and startling emerald green eyes made her very beautiful. Cliff had to poke fun at the woman, "You finally found us huh?" The girl merely shrugged her shoulders as she said, "Sorry. It wasn't exactly easy to find you in the mess that the universe is in." Cliff spoke up, "Well, do you think it was best to just transport down here?"
The girl smiled as she said, "I scanned the situation before coming in, so I had a good idea what to expect. At least, now that this planet's part of this mess, we don't have to hide anything anymore."
Cliff nodded as he looked at Fayt and razzed him one last time, "True enough. But I bet you that Mr. Super-Square, champion of the UP3 would disagree with you." Fayt glared at Cliff coldly as Airlia just looked on in question.
Nel was blunt as she asked, "Who are you?"
Cliff placed his hand against the back of his head as he said, "I'm lacking in my introductions, everyone this is Maria Traydor. Maria, this is Airlia; Princess of Airyglyph. This lady over here," Cliff indicated Nel, "Is Nel, the smaller child is Roger. Don't let his size fool you, or his ego for that matter. He is very quick and hot tempered, but a good fighter nonetheless." Maria nodded to everyone in turn, however, received cold gazes from the two untrusting women in the group.
Airlia knew they weren't from the planet she was from; however still the facts were still shocking to her. Nel knew nothing of this strange woman or how she knew the man that she had feelings for. However Airlia raised her hand to stop Nel from speaking, making the warrior raise her brow in question. Airlia simply shook her head to keep the questions down until they had time to talk alone. Cliff smiled at Airlia, "Thank you for understanding, Airlia. Nel, I promise to explain everything after I get a chance to speak with my boss. I promise." Airlia saw his heart was in his eyes and nodded silently, promising to help him however she could.
Airlia and Nel saw the strange blue haired woman named Maria gather the others around her as they stood near Roger while the others chattered briskly. Airlia watched through narrowed eyes as she saw Fayt react strangely to what she told him. Airlia wanted to say something when the Queen stepped out to question what was going on…
However, before the Queen could say anything, Nel burst out, ending the bitter silence, "Somebody going to explain this? What's going on? Who is she-how did she just appear here? So, I take it you're not all from Greeton after all? Come on, answer me. No more concealing the truth."
However, before anyone could say anything more, the Queen spoke next, "That is enough, Lady Nel."
Nel just looked at the Queen who only shook her head as she said, "I know not who you are, but it is certain that you are one of their acquaintances. I would hear an explanation of you now, one that makes sense to my ears."
However the response that would come from the lips of the blue haired stranger would irk the Elicoorians who were among them as they saw it as disrespect, "Please forgive my rudeness, your Majesty, but would it be alright if we talked among ourselves first? We have a lot of catching up to do. I will explain all of the details and how the facts are connected afterwards; that I promise."
Aquaria XXVII seemed to think it over before finally saying, "...So be it. Show them to the conference room." Nel nodded as she took everyone inside to go to the conference room. The walk was in an awkward silence as Airlia saw Cliff's pained expression. She knew he wanted nothing more than to tell her how he felt, but was powerless due to some strange reason. When they finally reached the room, Maria walked with Mirage inside.
Fayt was next as Airlia looked at Cliff, "Should I come in too? Given what I have been told that I did on the field?"
Cliff thought for a moment and nodded in agreement, "I think that is best." Maria sent the trio a curious look as Cliff shook his head, "She should be here Maria. Something strange happened on that field involving her that she can't remember. I have this hunch that she's just as tied deeply to this as both of you are…"
However, before they could continue Fayt spoke, "Um... Ms. Traydor?"
However Maria shook her head as she spoke, "Please, just Maria's fine, if I may call you Fayt?"
Fayt felt like giving up when he said, "Oh, all right then. Maria, please tell me what happened. Why did the Vendeeni capture my dad? Why are they after me? ...What is it about me that they're so interested in?"
Maria shook her head as she spoke, her voice soft, but powerful as she said, "Relax, there's no need to rush things, and there's much to explain. But first... His powers manifested, didn't they?"
Cliff nodded before he spoke, "They did, just once. He was stronger than expected. Particularly, his destructive capabilities are far beyond yours. However, Airlia produced a rather strange power herself. She shielded the entire field from attack and even destroyed the ship that initially attacked by reflecting the attack back at the ship."
Maria looked at the Princess strangely as she asked, "And their memories?"
Cliff shook his head as he said, "Nah. The whole thing was completely wiped from their minds." Maria's shoulders sank with that thought.
Airlia had had it with the talk between them and the fact that neither she nor Fayt knew what they were talking about. Fayt however, spoke up bringing their thoughts to voice, "What in the world are you guys talking about?"
However, the moment she was about to speak, there was a strange beeping and Maria put her hand to her ear, "Just a moment-First, I have some new information. It's not exactly good news..."
Maria closed her eyes briefly in thought as she spoke, "You know that your father, Professor Leingod, was captured by the Vendeeni, right?"
Airlia nodded, "Yes, this has been said many times. Why?"
Maria spoke, her voice in a bare whisper as she said, "We have learned, after investigating the situation, that your friend, Sophia, was captured as well."
Fayt almost screamed as he said, "What!?"
Maria brought the group up to speed as she said, "They grabbed her after the two of you escaped from the Helre."
Fayt voiced his frustration strongly as he said, "They got Sophia!? Noooo! But what do the Vendeeni want with them!?"
Maria looked at him through slanted eyes as she said, "You really have no idea, do you?"
Airlia demanded in Fayt's place, "So tell us what's going on!"
Maria looked at the Princess as she said more to Fayt than anyone else, "Fine. Your father took it upon himself to carry out forbidden research."
Airlia questioned, "Forbidden research?"
Maria nodded before speaking, "That's right. He researched and designed a genetically modified, living weapon-forbidden by the laws of the Pangalactic Federation."
Fayt kicked at the ground before he spoke next, "My father? I can't believe it!"
However Maria's look of incredulity shattered any hope of it being a lie, "Of course he didn't talk about it. Other than those involved, only the top levels of the Federation government knew anything."
Fayt became suspicious as he asked, "Then how come you know about it?"
Maria spoke, a sad look overtook her gaze, "and I was one of his...guinea pigs."
Airlia gasped as she looked at Maria with sympathy, "What...?"
However, shortly after Maria's gaze turned from sadness to one of hatred, "I'll never forgive them."
However, even with all of the facts lying before him, he still could not believe his father would do something like that, "My dad... I-I can't believe this! Living weapons? You...a guinea pig? You just look like an ordinary girl!" However, what Maria would do next would cement the facts within the Airyglyphian Princess. Maria extended her hand, and the three vases on the shelf began to glow eerily. Then the light focused down to just the middle vase. She pulled out her gun and then shot at the vase. The shot split into two, destroying the ones on either side of the center vase. Airlia whistled softly in amazement. However, it got Cliff thinking…
"Airlia?" When the Princess turned, she gave him a curious look. "When we were out in the Mines, a beast was about to attack us from behind when a shield formed. Do you remember what you were doing around that time?" Airlia thought for a moment and remembered her dream where they were in trouble, however, everything else was hazy still. She told him as such and he began to think. "I think it may be best if you come with us when we try to rescue Fayt's father. I'm beginning to think that you're tied more deeply to this than I first thought." Airlia nodded, unsure of what he meant. However, a glance at the blue haired swordsman showed he was still in disbelief of what he just saw.
The strange blue haired woman took the time to explain further, "This is the power I received from the symbological genetic modifications that Professor Leingod and his lab performed on me. I possess the ability to manipulate the structure of matter. So...still think I'm an ordinary girl? I wasn't the only one he did this to either!"
Fayt demanded aloud, "What?"
Maria glared at the ground, angry that she couldn't take her frustrations out on the source, Professor Leingod, "I wasn't the only one they modified. Another came before me-I was the second subject."
Fayt shook his head, understanding, yet still needing someone to explain everything to him, "What are you saying?"
Maria took a shuddering breath as Airlia explained, "You're saying that it was Fayt who was the first subject, correct?"
Maria nodded; her sympathy showing in full. Fayt however, wouldn't accept the truth, "Me? The first subject? What are you talking about? My dad would never do something like that to me!" Maria spoke, trying to get Fayt to understand that the only way he could find out for certain was if he came with them to rescue his father.
However, her smile brightened when she thought of the perfect way to get him to understand, "I can understand if you don't believe me. Your power hasn't fully awakened yet. But if I'm not telling the truth, can you explain the thing for me? Who knocked that Vendeeni battleship out of the sky? Why are the Vendeeni so relentless in going after you and everyone else related to the Leingods? Everyone who was there knows the answers to these questions... Everyone but you, that is."
Fayt seemed to think for a moment as Maria went on further, "I know you don't want to admit it, but there's only one truth. I'm going to steal the Professor and everyone else back from the Vendeeni and ask him why he did what he did. But to do this, I need your help, Fayt. I can't do it alone... I wouldn't expect you to object to saving your father and Sophia... I know how important they are to you."
Fayt looked at her with disbelief for her doubting his will to rescue them, "Of course I want to rescue them. They mean everything to me." Fayt closed his eyes before he nodded, "I'll help you…." Maria smiled as Cliff went to open the door. However, a sound on the other side made him forcefully open it, sending Nel backwards with a flip. Even though Fayt looked surprised, Airlia wasn't. However, the Princess was delighted to see Gareth standing there, ensuring nothing had happened to her.
Maria shook her head, "It doesn't matter if they heard us. It all has to come out anyways."
Cliff punched his hand to push down the pain-filled thought of leaving Nel behind, "So, how are we getting off this rock?"
Maria was, Airlia thought, very well organized, especially when she said, "I made arrangements. I came in a small ship to avoid the Vendeeni. The Diplo will be arriving later. Everything else is up to Marietta's skills." Cliff smiled at her thoroughness.
However, Fayt wasn't so sure, "That's right. Even if your ship can make it, how do we know the Vendeeni won't interfere?"
Maria nodded, she had thought of it, "Right... Entering orbit, transporting, and warping out will take a total of five minutes."
However Mirage was concerned, "Even our flagship will have trouble withstanding five minutes of concentrated fire from the Vendeeni."
Maria nodded with a smile, "Exactly. The ideal solution would be to create some diversion from the ground as well. But...with the technology available on this planet, that will be difficult. Still, we must think of something,"
However Cliff stated the understatement of the year in the opinion of the group with, "If only Fayt could control his power."
However Maria shook her head, "Even I can't completely control my power... Either way, we need a sure thing if we're going to pull this off. Mirage, what's the strongest and most effective weapon on this planet? I'm not saying we need to use it to break through the Vendeeni shield. All we'd need to do is buy some time while they reevaluate our military capabilities."
Airlia smiled as she said aloud, "I'm certain they would allow us to use the Thunder Arrow if it were only completed!"
Fayt shook his head, "I don't know how much damage it could do to the Vendeeni battleship, but as far as I know, it's the most powerful weapon on this planet. The thing is; it's still under development. It's not ready for actual combat. And I doubt its range is long enough to reach the Vendeeni ship. In any case, the weapon belongs to Aquaria-we can't just use it as we please."
Before Airlia could speak, Nel spoke first, "The Vendeeni-you mean the one's from before?" Fayt merely nodded. Nel looked angry, "They would come and attack again?"
Airlia nodded sadly, "We believe that to be the case, however, we need the Thunder Arrow to divert them enough to help Fayt and the others leave, drawing them away."
Nel seemed to think before she said, "All right, I'll talk to the Queen about it." Fayt couldn't believe that she would help, however Nel spoke nothing short of the truth, "Honestly, I don't really understand the situation. One thing I do know: if that celestial ship comes back again, it will cause another catastrophe. And... I believe the two of you are worthy of my trust." Nel watched as both Fayt and Cliff bowed in thanks.
Cliff smiled brilliantly at Nel as he said, "Thank you Nel. Regardless though, we did promise the Queen that we'd explain the situation to her."
Fayt spoke again, "I don't think she'll be as easy to convince." Nel and Airlia just gave mysterious smiles. They left the conference rooms and went left, back to the chamber they had first met the Queen in.
Nel kneeled before the Queen as she spoke, "Your Majesty, they said they would explain the situation."
It was much quicker for Maria to explain everything as she knew more about the otherworldly things that were going on. Maria summarized what she told Fayt, explaining that they had first landed on the planet as a result from the attack from the ships that had so abruptly ended the war. They were subsequently drawn into the conflict on the land, and now that the otherworlders found them, the planet would no longer be safe as the boy was desired by the other group known as the Vendeeni. The only way that would stop them from wiping the world clean would be to use the Thunder Arrow to hold them off long enough to allow the group to get back on the ship and draw them away for good.
After taking everything in, the Queen thought for a moment before nodding, "Very well."
However Lasselle wasn't so easily put off, "You say you're from another world-You ask us to believe this? Nonsense! Stop wasting Her Majesty's time!"
However Airlia's glare was deadly as the Queen said without looking back, "Silence, Lasselle." Lasselle turned a deathly shade of white. Aquaria XXVII continued, "This is quite sudden, not to mention quite difficult to believe. However, recent events in our country leave me with no choice but to believe." Nel nodded in agreement to the obvious statement. Aquaria XXVII had to ask about why they thought the enemies would return, "And...You say this new enemy will return again? Why would that be?"
Fayt looked at the ground as he spoke softly, the horror of truth growing in his heart, "I think that I am their objective."
The Queen could only look down in disbelief, "So, you are the cause of this entire affair?"
Fayt had finally accepted what he was told as truth, "I don't want to believe it myself... But yes."
Lasselle could only smile triumphantly, he had a way to get rid of the outsiders single-handedly, "Then all we have to do is hand you over to them! Then they will go home, no?"
Airlia spoke out, earning the Queen's respect even further, "Lasselle, will absolutely nothing shut you up?! How dare you treat the man who has helped to save your world like garbage! If not for him, this war would have never ended, and I might be dead!"
Aquaria XXVII looked at Airlia in question as the Princess went to apologize for speaking out of turn when she said, "I believe you are absolutely right Airlia. He had no right to speak like that to him."
However the Queen had her doubts that the Thunder Arrow would solve the problem in the long run, "Can we really fight these...Vendeeni with our Thunder Arrow?"
Fayt nodded, "I can't be sure, but I believe so. The Thunder Arrow would divert the Vendeeni long enough for us to leave the planet...and fix this situation."
Aquaria XXVII spoke softly, "For the sake of our country, it might indeed be best to simply hand you over to them. However, you are our guest. It would not be proper for us to abandon you now." Airlia smiled in pure joy that they wouldn't turn her friend over.
However Nel wanted to be sure, "Your Majesty, you mean-?"
The beautiful woman smiled with a nod, "Yes. We shall let you use the Thunder Arrow."
Fayt and Maria both bowed as Fayt said, "Your Majesty, thank you very much!"
Maria added, "We are grateful, Your Majesty."
Cliff had to question though because he knew of the weapon's faults, "Yeah, but what are you gonna do about the range problem? It's not much good to us if we can't reach them." Everyone nodded while in deep thought about solving the problem. However, before anyone could speak next, the doors flew open as a soldier was barely able to reach them, he was so hurt.
The soldier was blonde, and about Fayt's height with stunning grey eyes as he said, "We've got a problem!" Airlia pulled out some medicine and ran to his assistance. She helped to apply it as he drank the other half of the potion. Lasselle was about to say something when the Queen gave him another cold look. However, the soldier was able to get out, "Someone has infiltrated Kaddan!" Everyone who understood what it was gasped in outrage.
Maria spoke, "So that means the Vendeeni are there, too."
Nel nodded in agreement. Airlia stood, while rotating her shoulders and asked, "Everyone ready?" When they were ready, the Queen started to state something, however, didn't go through with it. Airlia guessed that it was a plea to not go, but then realized they were the only ones who remotely understood what it was that they were going to fight.
The Queen arose and led the way back through the throne room and to the stairway. When they were down the stairs, she led the way to the church that the way through the sealed cavern that led to the Shrine of Kaddan. Airlia spoke, filling in the members of the group who weren't as sure of how this linked to their arrival in Kaddan. "This passage way, if memory serves me right, leads to the Shrine and was reserved only for members of the clergy and for the Royal members of Aquaria."
Romeria nodded in agreement, "That is correct, however, this is an urgent issue that must be addressed! They cannot be allowed to get their hands on the Sacred Orb!"