Falling into the cloud sea was chaotic, and terrifying. Rhod's vision was nothing but white for a few seconds as he nearly took a breath in shock, trying to swim his way up to the top madly.

"Rhod, calm down."

Rhod couldn't see who said that, or even who'd said it that clearly. He kept trying to swim upwards, until a felt a hand grab his arm.

"Humans and blades will naturally float on the uppermost layer of the cloud sea." It was Sanzang speaking. "But if you breach to the water below, then you'll sink more easily. Now breathe in."

Rhod took a breath as instructed, and stopped thrashing. He started to float upwards. "How does that work? If this is easier to float on, surely it should sink?"

"You were panicking... a mere moment ago." Sanzang swam over. "Anyhow, I see the others. We'd best group up. Follow me."

They grouped up with relative ease, to see the Mor Ardain titan moving away rapidly. "Shouldn't we be trying to get back onto it?" Said Rhod, worry slipping into his voice.

"Nah. Three hours was long enough in that place." Said Nim. "Um... but I do wonder what'll happen if one of us needs to sleep."

"There are also monsters in this sea, you know."

Rhod couldn't see her, but that was Maria. "So how should we get out? I don't particularly want to starve to death or get eaten in the middle of the cloud sea, and I'm pretty sure my blades want to be awakened again later, instead of sinking to the bottom."

"I believe we'll drift to the Leftherian Archipelago in due time." Said Kouki. "It may be a while, however. This would be considerably easier with a boat or ship of some kind."

Rhod clicked his fingers. "Can you make a big block of ice? We could all get on that."

"I... suppose I can try. With my skills..."

The cloud sea turned freezing cold, and Rhod shivered.

"Stop, stop, we're all going to freeze before one forms." Called Maria. "We'll just have to drift there, as long as it takes."

"And if monsters attack?" Said Rhod, as Mor Ardain got further out of sight.

"I'm going to pray for deliverance, in truth. Unless you have a better plan?"

"We all ought to hold hands." Called Nim, from somewhere to the left. "That way we can't drift apart."

"Good plan. It wouldn't be easy to find each other again if we were to become separated by the currents." Agreed Maria.

It took a few minutes to form the very strange net of drivers and blades. Rhod held onto both his blades, and Nim had Maria, who had Sanzang.

"So... anything to talk about? You think Morag's going to send someone to retrieve us?" Asked Sanzang, as they all floated away.

"Unlikely. She's probably preoccupied with tending to any survivors of that bomb." Said Maria.

"Hey, I know something. Nim, did you tell Kouki yet?" Rhod grinned.

"I did!"

"Wait, really?" Rhod looked over to her. "When?"

"It was when we were in the brig of that ship. I thought I was going to die there, so I panicked and... just told him." She admitted. "He was very sweet about it. Kit won't let go of the fact my voice went all funny though..."

"I... truthfully, I wonder if I am worthy of someone so powerful. But she could benefit from... cooling down, when i comes to certain matters. Heh."

"Aw. I'm glad for you two. Hey Maria, you're from Indol. Want to marry them?"

"They've been in a relationship for all of a day, Rhod. And even so, I'm not sure how to fill out the register for that." Maria looked up to the sky. "But nonetheless, I wish you success in your relationship."

"That might be the single most formal way I've ever heard to tell two people 'good luck'." Deadpanned Rhod, before swapping to a teasing tone. "Good luck, by the way. Want me to swap positions with you, Nim? Make it possible to kiss your boyfriend?"

"He's not my- wait, he is. Eheh... awkward. I'll be okay, though. Oh, Sunny!"

"Hm?"

"He's trying to pick a fish out of the water below. Greedyguts wants me to help."

It was a very, very long time to spend in the sea. Night had long since fallen. But amazingly, the currents were fast enough that you could feasibly have beaten a titan ship to the archipelago.

"Kit, what is it?" Nim suddenly gasped. "Land! Kit sees land!"

Rhod twisted, to see something floating in the distance. "Yes, that must be Leftheria. Can anyone see a point we can climb onto the titans?"

"Do not worry. I'll send up a signal flare." Offered Sanzang. Rhod saw a jet of flame suddenly shoot up from the sea next to him, lighting up the night for a good few seconds.

There was some distant shouting, before Rhod heard the soft 'whump' of something being thrown into the cloud sea.

"Life preserver out! Illuminating it now!" Yelled someone.

"I see it! Hold tight, master Rhod." Kouki started to paddle along quickly, before clamping down onto the ring. "Pull!" He said, muffled.

"PULL!" Relayed Maria.

The five in the sea started to slowly come to shore. The second he could, Rhod was on his feet, walking up the beach and brushing the bizarre clouds out of his clothing. "Never did like full-body baths... but at least you can normally take your clothes off."

"I found that fairly refreshing." Maria calmly emptied her sleeves, wisps floating down the beach and back into the sea. "Thank you, watchman."

The coastguard who'd thrown the group the ring nodded. "I'm just doing my job, ma'am. Welcome to Leftheria. Fell off a titan, I take it?"

"Indeed. I don't suppose we could stay here for the night?" Asked Maria. "We'll depart first thing tomorrow."

"Sure. If you head to Fonsett village tomorrow, then you can catch a ship from the island next to it. Don't mind me, I'm just gonna keep watch here. You'd be surprised how often folks wash up." The coastguard sat down in a chair, life preserver by his feet.

Rhod stumbled over to the hut, and sat down. "Light a fire before I sleep?"

"You've rested for eight hours at least today!" Maria started indignant, before yawning. "Ah... but maybe you're right. Sanzang, if you would?"

"Don't forget to make a fire pit, Nim." Rhod lay down on the floor.

"Hey! We need wood to burn! Don't just-" Nim said, as Rhod shifted.

"It'll be alright. I don't think any of us are in a state to go and gather wood, and Leftheria is known for having a mild climate." Said Maria, sitting down. "Still... how low I have fallen. Sleeping without even a campfire."

"You get used to it real quick." Mumbled Rhod from the floor. "Indol was colder..."

"At any rate, as an ice blade, I'm hardly affected by the cold of the night. Please, don't hesitate to take warmth from me if you require it." Kouki lay down.

"I'm... good... thanks..." Rhod was out like a light.

The map room of the Monoceros had three people inside, studying a display.

"By my predictions of the currents, they'll wash up here." Akhos pointed out a tiny island. "However, if they've attempted to swim then they'll likely wash up on one of the unconnected islands."

"And then they'll be monster chow!" Added Obrona enthusiastically.

"I see." Jin nodded. "But it's not a good place for us."

Sever grunted. "...We want them dead somewhere public. Leftheria is easily the quietest place on Alrest. Could slice 'em up and throw them in the air and nobody'd know for a month."

"Guess we shoulda left Muimui to keep reporting on them." Shrugged Malos. "Any plans?"

"I suppose we'll just have to wait for our chance to strike. Ideally, we'd have killed them in Mor Ardain, as the trade capital of Alrest. Alas. It wasn't quite as scripted. Why do some people have the poorest sense of climactic death?" Akhos sighed.

"I'll join them." Said Jin.

"You, Jin?" Malos sounded impressed. "Damn."

"I could use the chance. I know the Spirit Crucible is hidden in that archipelago somewhere. If Addam really did leave the key to the aegis' true power there, then I ought to take the chance to locate it." Reasoned Jin.

"Going with the enemy alone? You're sure?" Said Akhos. "I mean, I know we told Muimui to for a while, but..."

"But he's a twerp!" Finished Obrona.

"You needn't worry for my safety." Affirmed Jin. "Drop me on the large isle. I'll join up with them, and guide them to Gormott. Then we strike."

The sun rose over the Leftherian Archipelago. It was a matter of minutes before the night had been swept aside like it was never there.

Rhod forced his eyes open. "Sand..." It was everywhere. Everywhere. He could feel it in his sleeves. In his trousers. In his hair. In his soul. He sat up. For the first time, he'd been the first member of the group to rise. If only because the sun had directly blasted his eyes with pure cosmic radiation, while only hitting the backs of everyone else's heads.

Maria somehow looked just as stern with her eyes shut. Lawful evil when sleeping.

Sanzang seemed to be completely outside the normal conventions of sleep, stretched out in an X, facing down. On the sand. Chaotic neutral.

Nim was an amazingly compact ball of fuzz. Sunny was awake, and Kit wasn't. Sunny was chewing on her clothes. Chaotic good.

And Kouki half-encircled her, like a protective wall. Lawful good. At least in Rhod's early-morning musings. He looked around, and saw a different coastguard sitting there.

"Oh, morning." Yawned Rhod, intending to talk to the coastguard.

Maria's eyes opened. "Good morning. I presume you're rested."

Rhod was taken back. That had been scarier than he would've liked to admit. "...Yes. Although I'm covered in all this forsaken sand."

"I will admit, it can be... a little uncomfortable..." She frowned. "Sanzang. Wake."

To Rhod's combination of amazement and concern, Sanzang rose up on command, like some kind of zombie. "Ready to move out."

"...Shouldn't we let our blades sleep? They might be hardy, but everyone has limits." Rhod went over. They were both definitely asleep, not pulling a Maria on him.

"It ought to be safe to proceed. And time is of the essence. We have to return to our investigation into Torna immediately, before they can hurt any more innocents." Maria looked up. "I'm truly ashamed to the depths of my soul that I let them survive what they did yesterday. How many people have been hurt because we, as a team, were inadequate?"

"..." Rhod looked to one side. "Is... is this about me getting arrested?" He took a breath. "...It was my fault. I could have been a better team member. Or... you know, not gotten arrested. Either way, yesterday was my fault. So... I'm sorry. To you, and those people who got hurt."

"I'm surprised. The Rhod I first met really didn't think enough of me to apologise for something." Said Maria. She looked at the blades. "...You can give them five minutes."

Once everyone was up, it was a short but steep uphill trek to reach a small platform. The paths linking the islands of the archipelago were perilously small, and doing nobody's nerves any favours.

As they reached the top, they heard a voice call out. "Hail, adventurers." It was measured, no louder than it needed to be.

"Huh?" Rhod looked up to see a man in white at the top of the slope. "Hello?"

"Greetings!" Shouted Maria, before she pushed on up to the top of the ramp quickly. "Hello there. Are you in need of help?"

"Do you know this guy?" Rhod came up behind her, blades following.

"My name is Jin. I've been meaning to travel through these islands." He looked out over the archipelago. "But I've heard this place is infested with extremely strong monsters. If we were to go together, then there'd be some safety in numbers."

"Well, that sounds great!" Rhod lit up. "I'm always happy to have an extra hand in battle. We're heading to the port on the other side."

"Likewise." He turned his attention to Maria. "You'll have me for the moment?"

"I would not turn down such welcome assistance. But please remain wary. We have some dangerous enemies in this world."

"Understood." Said Jin.

The first thing Rhod learned about Jin was that he could have obliterated every monster in the archipelago alone. He knew it from the second they got into a minor scrap with a monster.

"W-wow... This guy is strong!" Nim watched as he finished, putting his nodachi on his back.

Rhod clipped his knuckles back onto his belt. "Architect above, you're not even a driver. Where'd you learn to fight like that?! With you, we're going to breeze through this place."

Maria folded her arms. "It's true that he's extremely skilled, Rhod. But if he feared this place with his powers, then that's all the more reason to be wary."

They continued through the large isle, before Nim ran to the front of the group. "Wait, wait."

"What is it." Said Jin bluntly.

Nim pointed to the trees. "There. That monster is very strong, so we should stay away."

Maria trained her eyes on the forest. "I don't see it..."

"You can see a lot of things that tell you it's there. Griffox like to mark their territory by scratching things, and that tree has some large cuts in the bark. Plus, this whole place smells funny..." She explained, backing away from the bushes a little.

Rhod shrugged. "So what? Jin could probably knock it into next..." He suddenly connected some dots, forming a plan. "Wait... Jin, you're going to Gormott?"

"I am. Anyhow, we ought to leave this monster be." Said Jin. "Fighting for no reason is a bad idea. It would leave us weakened for any future encounters."

"Right, right..." Rhod waved that aside. "Well, while you're there, there's something I really want to do. It'll help everyone! There's a local monster, called Territorial Rotbart... If the three of us worked to together, then maybe we could finally put that crapsack down?"

"..." Jin looked down. "I have a busy schedule. We'll see. For now, listen to your blade and let's avoid this fight."

"Okay."

True to prediction, they blew through everything with ease. Jin wasn't even using his special abilities- it was simply that each and every blow he made was directed at a weak point. By the time they'd decided to stop and rest for a night, they were already two-thirds of the way to Fonsett. Rhod was almost feeling useless, without the need to heal anyone or fight that hard.

Everyone was in the process of making a small campfire when Rhod looked over to Jin. "Hey. I want to fight you."

"Pardon?" Jin looked over, as if he couldn't have heard that right.

"Not to the death, or anything. I just think I could probably learn something. Practice makes perfect and all that." Said Rhod. "Nim, Kouki? Either of you up for it?"

"If I was to seriously attack you, then you wouldn't have time to lift a finger." Said Jin.

"Maybe, but I need to get stronger to stop Torna."

"Hm? Torna?" Jin's acting was excellent. Nobody suspected a thing.

"Oh, we didn't say?" Maria was sat by the campfire. "We were sent by Amalthus to investigate the emergent group of terrorists. After their attacks, then we know that we need to stop them."

"I see... And you trust the Praetor's judgement? That you and your blades are capable of stopping this Torna?" Jin's face was concealed by his mask, but still, his gaze was piercing.

"..." Maria shifted. "It is my duty to have faith in him. If he wishes us to stop this group, then regardless of my chances, I will do my utmost."

Jin shook his head. "Blindly following orders invites tragedies. If you're going to follow his will, you should think about why."

"Well that's obvious isn't it?" Said Rhod. "Torna have attacked innocent people. You don't get much worse than that."

"Y-yeah. They're pure evil, you can't have a good reason for doing things like that! It's unforgivable!" Nim clapped her hands together.

"..." Jin just sighed. "I'll give you your fight. This won't take long, I warn you. And no rematches."

"Very well. Kouki, I think I could use the little bit extra reach on your rings." Rhod called, taking the weapons into his hands. "I won't turn them on. Don't want to risk cutting you, since you're not a driver."

"Are you ready?" Jin slowly took the nodachi from his back, and held it low. While normally a stance like that would have been impractical, leaving your chest open to a lunge, Rhod could tell that if someone actually tried that against Jin it would end with them impaled. He had a power about him... subtle, but overwhelming.

Rhod nodded, and brought up his rings. He had an idea of what to do- block the first strike, then move in and focus on keeping the enemy off balance.

It was over by the time he'd had that thought. The ring he'd intended to block with fell to the floor in two halves, and Rhod's ether barrier shattered on impact with the curved sword. Jin had gone through his weapon and his health in one blow.

Jin put his weapon back. "We're simply on different levels. You would have a difficult time regardless, as a healer without any kind of backup."

"I pity anyone that must fight you, Jin." Kouki groaned, from the floor. "To achieve such power without a blade... I wonder what you would be like with one?"

Jin sat down. "I don't agree with exploiting blades to my own ends." He looked into the fire.

"I don't feel exploited." Said Nim, crouching by the fire. "I like being with my driver. And with Kouki!"

"I've noticed that you love him. But one day, your driver will die. Your time spent with him would be rendered meaningless, as if it never existed. The world will forget you. What's the point of it all? To awaken a blade to no end is something I won't do." It wasn't a total lie from Jin. But the truth would have been far, far more depressing.

"Nonetheless, we quite enjoy living, for all it's ups and downs." Kouki countered. "So I for one, am glad to have been awakened, and found Nim no less."

"Y'know, I hope when this is all over and done with, I can retire peacefully with you two." Rhod sat back, preparing to go to sleep. "...Yeah, Jin, I know my blades will lose their memories when I die. But... I dunno, maybe life's just worth living. Really, I guess that's why I fight. To keep people alive."

"Same as me, hehe! I fight to keep the world alive, and him the people on it. Together, we'll protect it all!" Added Nim. "Although, it's pretty hard... We couldn't save everyone."

"..." Jin's mask was unreadable.

"Still, Jin has got a point. We shouldn't waste time trying to hide our feelings." Said Kouki. "Every day could be our last. So we may as well attempt to make the most of our lives."

"Eh, philosophy..." Rhod shut his eyes. "...You're not wrong. Just do whatever makes you happy, you two."

"Up." Said Jin. Dawn was just breaking.

Rhod's eyes snapped open. "A bit early, isn't it...?"

"Now now, Rhod. If there's something I can admire in a man then it's the ability to get up and get going." Maria was obviously already awake. Obviously.

Rhod got to his feet, and looked over the rest of Leftheria. "Okay then, which island has the harbour?"

"I can see it." Said Sanzang. "There, next to the one that's at cloud level... oh, that one must be Fonsett, actually."

Maria smiled. "Fonsett, the final resting place of Addam the hero. Perhaps if we weren't in such a hurry, I'd go and visit..."

"If you wouldn't object, then I'd like to see there too." Said Jin.

Nim looked at him in surprise. "Really? I thought you were just... going straight to Gormott."

Jin shook his head. "I doubt the boat there would depart unless it had enough pay. We ought to be able to spare a few hours to look around such a village, if we're quick."

"Then let us move." Said Kouki. "Nim, if you so wish, you can ride me."

"Don't worry, I like running!"

It was a comparatively short trek to reach Fonsett island. It was the largest island of the archipelago, and one of the few to be level with the cloud sea. A light forest grew across what ground was open, and it had a clear beach.

"What an idyllic place..." Maria whispered, as they climbed the steps into the village.

A few people looked over as they came in. One or two waved. Rhod looked around. It was such a small place. Compared to Gormott, or Fonsa Myma, or... actually, it was about the same size as Garfont. One woman looked over from tending to her garden, as a few vegetables started to break the surface of the soil. "Oh, hello there. It's not often we get visitors! Welcome to Fonsett."

"Greetings, ma'am." Maria bowed. "We're travellers on our way to Gormott, but I wanted to come and pay respects to Addam."

"Addam? Oh, of course. There's a little shrine to him on top of the hill, if you go over the crossroads." Said the woman, leaning on her rake.

"Thank you." Said Jin plainly.

"You stay safe, now." Said Corrinne warmly.

It was only a few minutes walk to the hill outside town. The stairway leading up the hill had been well-maintained by someone, and even if it somewhat showed its age, it was without a doubt as sturdy as the day it had been built, the roots of several trees growing into the hill as well, much to Nim's excitement.

They reached a clearing at the top. There was a stone monument.

"Here lies Addam. Driver of the Aegis, died age 147." Said Maria, reading from the stone. She knelt, and put her hands together.

"A... a hundred and forty seven?" Said Rhod quietly, as if he might somehow offend the fallen hero.

Jin nodded. "It is said that being an Aegis' driver extends your lifespan. Still... I do wonder how the world might be different if it did not."

"The only other aegis driver is Amalthus." Said Maria, rising. "Perhaps we paid a dire price as a world when he awakened Malos, but at least he has lead Indol to proper. I doubt the world would be better without him..."

"...Have you ever been to Tantal?" Asked Jin.

"...Hm? I... no. How is this related?"

"I have a close friend from there." Said Jin. "The titan's insides were intended to be heated with the ether from its blood, but it is cold there, so much so that they can't grow anything. And that's because they export core chips created from the titan's ether to Indol."

"That can't be true. I've seen the Indoline chip production. We only have what we make."

Jin closed his eyes. "They export three chips a year, on average. Only three."

"Wha... three chips shouldn't be enough to make a titan go cold like that." Rhod said in confusion. "We make them in Gormott, and we make hundreds each year!"

"They're known as Moon Matter chips, for the white glow." Jin explained. "Making one places tremendous stress on the titan, because of the sheer amount of ether that has to be concentrated into a chip. Indol uses them to negate the energy costs of living."

"I- I won't hear it. Amalthus acts in our best interests. Stop this conversation." Maria stepped back.

"Y-yeah, the thought of having my ether just sucked away, for months, it makes me shudder all over." Nim rubbed her arms.

"Still, those chips must produce incredible blade weapons... Although how do you know all this?" Asked Rhod.

"Ah. Just a friend's information." Jin walked up to the stone. "...I suppose I ought to give my dues to Addam, too." He knelt. "Maria... is Amalthus really good? Can you prove it? As I've said already... blind faith invites tragedy."

"He is. I still have faith in the praetor." Said Maria immediately. "He does what he can to atone for every mistake he makes. None of us can be perfect. I... I can't believe the situation with Tantal can be as serious as you say."

"..." Jin remained silent. "...We ought to go." Something in his voice had changed. It was still cold and hard, but he seemed to have just a hint of realisation. Like he'd found something.

As they reached the dock, Kouki had a thought. "Could we cool down Mor Ardain by producing some of those Moon Matter chips? I understand that we'd have to somehow convince the ruler there..."

"No. They attempted it, however." Jin said, his voice turning cautionary. "It only accelerated the decay of the titan."

"Things like that are best left to nature. If they'd just take better care of the ecosystem there..!" Nim started, before Jin silenced her by holding up a hand.

"The theory was sound." Countered Jin. "But Mor Ardain's titan is naturally different to Tantal. They produced a different kind of core chip."

"...A shame. Still, it is interesting to know such powerful chips can be made. Maybe with one of those we'd be able to stop Torna? I mean, I have a long way to go, Jin's not even a driver and he can cut through my weapon like it's nothing." Rhod shrugged. "I'm still in awe at the fact you could do that. Good thing Kouki could replace it."

"Indeed... although his sword doesn't seem like a normal sword." Maria noted. "That gem set into it undoubtedly has ether-related properties."

"I'm not able to tell you more about it." Said Jin.

"Ah, there's the ship!" Sanzang looked at the docks. "At last, we can return to our duty."

"I hope we have enough money left to get to Gormott..." Maria put a hand in her pocket, and took out a small cloth bag.

They walked up to the docks. The ship was fairly small, made mostly of wood. Closer to Gormott design than anything else. Rhod couldn't help but smile, as he realised it actually was Gormott design. In little white letters, lacquered along the side of the port bow, was 'UMON'. So this ship was made by the craftsman down at the tail end of Gormott. Stories had spread about his skill.

"Hey, I know where this ship was made." Rhod said smugly.

"That really doesn't help us right now. I have enough money to pay for our passage back to Gormott, but then that's it. Can you find us work in Torigoth?" Maria bundled up the bag.

"You can normally earn a bit by just killing off a few monsters and selling the valuable bits." Shrugged Rhod. "Or we could join the Ardainian army." He joked. "The only way to earn good money, really. There seem to be less and less jobs these days..."

"...Be responsible about your hunting." Warned Nim.

"Let's go." Said Jin. "I need to get to Torigoth quickly."

"Right..." Rhod shrugged. "I'll guide you there once we arrive. Nice working with someone so strong."

They boarded the ship.

Author's notes: I was initially planning to go directly to Gormott, but decided to make a detour to here to show a few headcanons about the Tantal situation (And the superboss chips). I never intended the story to be that long, so don't expect more than one or two more chapters.

Reviewer answers!

Guest the First: I'm glad to receive the encouragement, and there used to be a time when I was EXACTLY like you- without an account, manually checking each archive I liked each day. If there's one bit of wisdom I'd like to pass on, it's that if you like something (or someone), then you always ought to let them know. It helps reassure them, and drive them onwards. In fanfiction, where most stories are never finished, that encouragement could make all the difference.

Guest the Second: Alas, it was never intended to be a long story. Although, your comments made the difference between me going to the ending fight this chapter and the next. I could have spent a longer period of time in Mor Ardain, too, in truth, but I thought the story wasn't really very popular at all, and decided to just move to end it from there. I hope what there is here is still enjoyable, though.