As the group headed back to the camp, after having already alerted the twins of 21O's state, Emil started telling them more about what that place they had been at may have been.
He told them of an old city here in this desert named Facade, if its king and queen, how these people wore these same masks the machines did, and Robin assumed they had been scavenged from somewhere, probably their tombs, and how these people lived following an absurd amount of rules, and how they didn't even speak the same language as the rest of the nearby cities and villages did.
Perhaps it may be worth investigating it, for research purposes of course.
Or just plain curiosity.
He told them how his friends came to know the king when he was nothing more but a young kid, the plague having killed his father and him having to take responsibility for it, and continue leading the city.
He told them about his friend and then lover and wife, Fyra, and the sad end she met.
He told them of the wolves and their shade leader, how the people always fought against them, and how inevitably, to protect her king, Fyra perished in his arms.
The king then, having lost what he loved most, sought revenge on the wolves, until there were no more.
As Emil told them about this last part, 2B and 9S scooted even closer to each other, and A2 took Robin's hand in one, and Number 4's in the other, it was ringing way too familiar. But at least they were still here.
They weren't dead, but memories of what had been still remained.
As it did the promise of never letting any of that happen ever again.
The two masks Robin had now in her inventory were those two ones, belonging to the king and queen themselves, and she promised Emil she'd take care of them.
Now that she knew them being even more precious than a simple artifact.
Probably she should start considering what to do with what she collected over the years, now that she meant to leave.
Perhaps she should just leave them here, it was the world they belonged to, and also, the risk of damaging something during the trip from planet to planet was almost guaranteed.
She could just leave them in her and A2's room, have it be a little memento of her time here.
It was true she wouldn't have them on hand all the time, but it would be the best decision.
And her memory of android would help her not forget them either.
Of course Pod 007 had all the data too, he could aid her, as he always did.
Sometimes it still felt unreal how she was planning alongside all these people, her friends, family and lover, to go back to her home planet. If she looked back when she first arrived she was convinced she'd never find her way back, and that she would be stuck here for however long an android lived.
Well she had a hard time believing this wasn't a dream in the first place when she woke up, and for months after.
And if it was, she didn't want to wake up ever again.
As she looked ahead, where the others were working in the crater of the city, she could see the beginning of the structure they were building taking form.
Perhaps this was a dream for all of them in the end.
But she couldn't help but smile.
When they arrived at the camp, all was ready for 21O to be repaired by the twins, leaving her in their care, her lover's, her sister's and her son's one. It had grown to be quite the family.
Robin headed to her room with A2, as they did, someone knocked on their door not too long after.
"Number 2, may I steal your girlfriend for a bit? I need to talk to her." Rose's head poked in, probably she wanted to update her on the progress on their side, and most likely wanted one of her own about the verses.
"Sure, I'll just go bother someone else." probably her friends.
She did want to see how Number 4 was doing, even if she didn't say it, she was most likely tired from the fight before, even though she hadn't been hurt she'd been tossed around quite a few times.
Nothing she couldn't handle though, after all between them she'd always been the better Attacker.
Rose waited until Number 2 left the room to speak.
"Have you got all the verses?" she asked.
"It would seem so, we defeated all the guardians at least, except the one down in the Copied City, but it doesn't seem necessary, it's the only pacific one." Robin shrugged as she said so.
And Rose and the others didn't say a thing about being attacked by anything so it didn't seem like a decision she would regret.
"I saw the building of the launching platform is going well."
Rose nodded. "It's going a little slow, but Gerbera and Jackass are putting all their efforts in it. Sometimes I worry they will overdo themselves. Also Anemone managed to get the aid of the entire camp, they still answer to her more than they do to me, but I can't blame them, we did show up out of nowhere after years."
She did expect some of them to be wary of her, even though she and Anemone went a long way back, and the others too. But they still knew her better, and Rose was okay with it.
"Now that you're free I assume you will join us too."
"Of course, also, I have the feeling that people like Number 21 and 9S would not have it otherwise." they were still two diligent Scanners.
Each with their own peculiarity.
"Have you chosen who you wish to take along?" besides White and Number 2.
There were still three other candidates.
"I have and I intend to communicate it to everyone these next few days, so we may have some time to prepare." or well, they would need to prepare to face an entire new world.
Just because Robin was not given a choice in the matter it didn't mean she couldn't give it to them. And give them the possibility to learn more before leaving, or even to be able to back out entirely.
"I don't want to rush anything." and she wanted them to be physically, but mostly psychologically ready to face the unknown. "I need to inform them on how things work in my world, especially since I'm a wanted person, there's a possibility my bounty could have been removed if they found out I died, as there could not be. And I do want to give them the possibility to back out as well."
She'd never be that cruel.
"I also would like to give a limit of time for us to stay on my planet, should the search for an island to stay take too long."
"Makes sense." Rose nodded. "I wish you the best of luck."
Because she would not tag along, not this time.
She hadn't said it out loud to everyone yet, but she would rather stay and look after the people of the camp, since they needed someone capable and reliable.
"If it works, we'll try to keep you all updated through my Pod." hoping the communication worked at such a long range, but it did between Earth and the Bunker, so maybe it would not be an issue even between planets as long as there was radio signal.
She'd have to find a way to hide him too though, unfortunately.
Better be safe than sorry.
He wasn't pleased, she knew, but it couldn't be helped.
For the sake of the others tagging along, she would not risk being recognized as long as she could help it.
Their safety depended on it.
With nothing more left to say, they exited the room once Robin hung the two masks on a wall. Once outside, they found both 6O and 9S already outside the medical tent, grumbling to each other and the rest, but the two number 21s and the twins were missing.
"I feel that those two are hiding something…" they heard the boy mutter as they approached.
"Did something happen?" Robin frowned.
"Well Number 21 said she and 21O had stuff to talk about with Devola and Popola." 6O had no idea what that was though.
And she worried about it.
However…
"I don't think there's anything to worry about." Rose replied. "I know Number 21 well, and if my instinct is right, whatever the important thing is, she does not mean to worry anyone, and I would assume, based from what I've seen, that 21O is just the same." and they weren't the best at communicating feelings, more like hiding them.
But right now she doubted this was such a big secret like attempting to hide her eventual death at the hands of a logic virus.
"Or maybe they just want to talk to the oldest siblings on Earth, now that they are too." Number 4 shrugged. "I do recall 21O saying something about helping Number 21, I don't know more about it though."
"And chances are that no matter what, Number 21 won't tell us." Number 16 sighed. "Sometimes I wish she'd be more honest with people."
She had seen her in a mental state no one else ever had, but that she struggled to express.
Well, not like she could point fingers when she hid behind too much pride and snarky remarks though.
"I still stand by my statement, and also, between friends there needs to be trust, don't you think? I trust them to tell us when the time is right, just like with the ordeal of the barrier."
Again, because they didn't want anyone to worry about 21O's health and safety.
But it was fair that it still happened, because it meant that there were people that cared about them, as much as they did.
And speaking of care…
"Shouldn't you be resting, Number 4?" Robin was sure she was tired from the fight, yet she was still here.
She should take it easy for a few hours at least, she had two fights one after the other, and the second where they saw her fend off two guardians on her own while 21O recovered, that must have taken a lot out of her than what she was showing.
"Yeah, I will in a bit." she turned towards the direction of the medical tent. "I wanted to see 21O back in good shape, also, Number 2, 2B and I have been talking about something that may be of her interest."
"Something of my interest?" the Operator asked as she exited the infirmary.
"Yes." Number 4 nodded excitedly.
"Number 4 pointed out something A2 and I also noticed while you were fighting, after you got back up without your arm." 2B started explaining. "She said you are unhappy about your strength, and that much is clear."
21O nodded. "Unfortunately, but I have to say that this battle has taught me a lot, so I do feel a little better about it."
And that was true, she learned where her abilities lied, though she was curious to know what the other combat models had in mind.
"Oh that's good to hear." Number 4 beamed at the words, since when 21O spoke she sounded pretty bothered by it, depressed even. "But yes watching you fight, especially with your off hand, we are thinking you should try dual wielding."
As in… using two swords instead of one?
"But I can't use even one too well…" how would she use two of them?
"Well we talked about fighting styles, and it would appear you've been trying to imitate us more than finding your own way." or well, until now, A2 assumed from her words.
"Well Number 2 and I mostly rely on aggression, and 2B relies on it too, for how elegant she may look, and… we are positive that it doesn't work for you." Number 4 said pretty much the same thing Number 21 had told her the night before.
So how should she find her own?
"Besides, Number 21 is the least angry person we know, and you two are so very similar." Number 2 smiled at the Scanner, as she nodded.
"But she's very much of a technical person." that was also true, S types usually were. "And you were a very diligent Operator, Robin always said that."
As the human nodded, 21O felt very much flattered at the praise.
She almost blushed a little.
"That's why we're suggesting that, because wielding two swords requires more finesse and technicality than a single one. We thought it may fit you better." Number 4 shrugged, it really was that easy.
"We'll help you." Number 2 stated, with the approval of 2B.
21O thought for a bit.
"Well… I suppose trying costs nothing."
But…
"I'd need another…"
She didn't even finish the sentence as Robin offered her the YoRHa blade she kept as a token.
"Now this will have a better purpose than sitting in my inventory as a lucky charm." though she still wished it gave luck to 21O as well, she needed it.
"All right, then it's decided. We'll try in the next few days." Number 4 said, before yawning. "If you don't mind I may take a nice bath then hit the bed."
And she deserved it.
Honestly.
"Speaking of things to do, Popola and I would like to practice with magic a bit, since we're a bit rusty, we were wondering if Robin wanted to show us the verses she collected." Devola addressed the human.
"That's fine by me, they're a new thing so more practice with someone who has knowledge will be good." and who else could give that but the oldest androids from where magic came from?
"Would now be okay or are you too tired?" Popola asked, they had waited a few days since the reveal of what they used to be, also, they were eager to find out if their magic was just as strong, and to find ways to use it for the good too now.
They understood the need those twins that were responsible for the Original had, but they didn't want to use said power to harm anyone.
They were still afraid of other androids lashing out if they did.
Ten thousand years of memories of anger and abuse didn't pass in a few days.
Which was why they wanted to make sure they controlled the power well enough, before there was a need to use it for something.
For now they had been aiding in the construction to lift heavy things, but they wanted to make sure to be able to use the more powerful and painful spells as well, should they ever get in a fight, or a situation where they needed to protect themselves or someone.
They were no longer as weak as they were with a sword.
In a way, 21O and Number 21 kind of brought up the matter as they spoke.
Unconsciously.
But they found themselves sharing the feeling.
"I haven't fought too much, so I'd say I have enough energy to practice a little." she could always rest later.
Besides, most of what she did was to run around and head places.
"Where are we going?"
"We… haven't really thought about that, to be honest." Devola tilted her head towards her sister. "We were hoping you had an idea, maybe some spacious area."
"Take them where we met." A2 said, she'd been listening to the conversation from the sidelines.
The forest was a good idea, and near the castle on the other side of the waterfall was a rather big place. They had a pretty long and hard fight there.
And then they met again there too.
Kind of a symbolic place.
"All right then." she gave a small smile to A2. "I'll be back soon. Don't miss me too much."
She grinned at the rogue, as she blushed slightly.
Robin and the twins left, sounds of muffled giggling from behind them as her friends made fun of the albino.
A2 was just too easy to tease.
The place was exactly as Robin remembered it, still messed up from the signs of their battle, from that dent in the tree she made, to the dried blood on the grass.
And from here everything started to change…
It has almost been a full year since then, time she hardly regretted.
It was there that she and the twins started practicing magic, with them showing her various ways to use magic, and all the spells she now had in her arsenal as weapons, since unfortunately Scarlet Despair seemed to have a limited resource of energy to use them, they insisted she'd watch.
They did everything, from the base dark orbs, to the hand that previously saved 21O, the clone that so much also resembled her old power, the protective wall much similar to the barrier 21O had now, but made of magic.
The very first spell she obtained, the execution, as spears arose around them, the name resonating with her to a deeper level, and the latest spell, the lance, and how it could be thrown like a Pod's laser to a target.
There was then the dark gluttony, the energy sapping spell that she still had little idea how much of use it could be.
But then there was something she hadn't seen before.
As Devola summoned multiple blades around herself calling it dark whirlwind, Robin knew she must have missed it somehow.
But they did defeat all the guardians there were, right?
All the energy spots were gone, so they must have.
Or was there something still hidden?
When she expressed her concerns, Popola answered by explaining the story about the three magic books that used to exist.
"Besides what there is left of Grimoire Weiss in your sword, they no longer exist, so I would assume making a guardian out of the third book was impossible."
So she was left with one less verse than she should have.
"But that doesn't matter too much, does it?" Devola shrugged, placing her staff against her shoulder.
Before Robin could ask, addressing Popola, she gave the answer.
"I mean, we can just give it to her."
"Just like this?" the human frowned, no fight, no trial?
"Why not? After all you've done for us it's the least we can do." Popola shrugged to herself as well.
Robin literally saved their life and stood up for them without knowing a thing from the first moment they met each other, so why would they keep this from her?
They had no reason to.
"You also have done a lot for the rest of us too."
And that was true, they pretty much saved and rebuilt her back to life, their friends and A2's friends doing most of the work by themselves.
Robin didn't feel like asking more out of them.
"Well friends help each other out, no? Isn't that what all of you have been teaching us?" once again Devola gave another shrug, not bothered in the slightest.
Neither was Popola.
"It's no big deal, just point the sword towards us." Devola gestured with her staff to the weapon at Robin's side.
"I guess there's no point in me trying to say no." Robin did as they asked, raising the sword in front of her, as the twins raised their own staffs, crossing them with each other and Scarlet Despair's blade at the same time.
The three items glowed in sync for a moment, and just like that she obtained the very last of the sealed verses.
And now this mission too was complete.
Next matter to solve, the choosing of the people she'd take along to her planet.
Hoping they were ready.