Where am I?

Welcome to the Monado system. Your death has enabled you to crossover into Xenoblade Chronicles 3. The powers of your predecessors will be your to bend and save Aionios!

Aionios? What is this? Why am I-

Your new abilities will be activated through the use of your new weapon, Noah. The power of your Monado, the power to resist Moebius, is something that you will need to unlock yourself. You need to decide, does the world belong to you, or does it belong to Moebius?

Wait, what did-

The strength you will wield via these powers will only truly be unlocked once you attain the power of Ouroboros and break the chains the Flame Clock has on you. Until then, don't die. Whether the world spends eternity in a cycle of suffering, or lives on to see time resume will be entirely down to you. Good luck, Noah. Hopefully you won't need it.

Sorry what did you just-

Even as his Commander gave them their daily mission Noah found it difficult to remain completely focused. Every single day was the same for them, regardless of what colony him and his friends ended up being assigned to. In fact, his routine was something he could do with his eyes closed. If he could fight with his eyes closed that is.

Wake up. Have breakfast. Go to the briefing to learn about what he'll be fighting that day. Go out and fight in an attempt to raise their colony's rank. Then eat when they come back. Take a bath. Then go to bed. Rinse and repeat. Over, and over, and over again. The same routine he's stuck to since he finished training, and the one he'd stick to until the day he died. Be it by battle or by Homecoming.

Homecoming. Everyone around him always made the event out to be spectacular, and even Noah himself had to admit how amazing it looked, but... he never saw the appeal in the idea of just disappearing like that. Whether it was on the battlefield or in a Homecoming, it was still tragedy in his eyes. Of course, he's long since been numbed to the loss, death is as much a part of life to him as breathing. It's been even more so like that since he became an off-seer.

But alas, he has no choice in the matter. He can only do his duty and protect his friends. He didn't even hate violence, he was simply numb to it. Besides, what else could he do with his life?

The commander spoke and finally caught his attention as he placed a hand up to the side of his forehead in a manner he was more than familiar with." -The Agnian troops are Copper rank and they apparently have special forces with them. Prepare for battle, we leave in three hours."

Now that got Noah's attention. Usually they battled against Tin or Dirt rank, with them being weaker colonies as a whole, and thus easy fuel for their Flame Clocks. However, he supposed if they wanted to increase their colony's rank, then they'd need to aim higher. It wasn't exactly like they just chose their opponents, they just needed to battle.

Him and the rest of his comrades moved in unison, more out of habit than on purpose, and tapped the right side of their foreheads to receive their-

Noah frowned as his iris failed to activate. He could feel it pulse, he knew he received the battle intel just like the others did, so why-

His vision was suddenly alight with the sight of his sword, Lucky Seven, being perfectly framed within the confines of the holo-image in his face. Is his iris not working properly, can they even fail to-

"Aaaaaagh!" Noah suddenly screamed out in white-hot agony as Lucky Seven sprung to life in his hand, his Blade refusing to let him release his own grip as emerald and blue sparks jumped off his skin.

The sudden action didn't go unnoticed by his comrades. Several of his close friends jumped back at the sudden action, the sight of one of their best combatants screaming in agony as his own blade continually attacked him with electricity causing them, more than a little, panic. Particularly Eunie, Lanz and Riku, his closest friends.

"Noah! What the spark his happenin' to ya?! Why are yo-" Eunie was cut off as Noah's sword began to change shape. The blue core in the sword's hilt changed into an emerald green as it seemed to shift deeper into the blade itself, then what looked like a pane of glass seemed to materialise and place itself in front of the shining green core and slot itself inside the hilt as though it belonged there. It was almost a beautiful sight.

However, it was tragically cut short as the sparks finally ceased, the sword seemingly stopping it's hazardous behaviour as it went calm and slipped right out of Noah's hand. Quickly being joined by it's master as he fell from his knees onto the ground, passing out as a flash of green ran across his right iris.

Lanz and Eunie were the first to react as they rushed to his side, checking on their friend's condition as Lanz kicked Lucky Seven away from them, sending a brief glare the sword's way as he picked his friend up." Eunie, we'll get him to the tent, make sure to check him out, we can't lose our off-seer for this battle."

Eunie nodded, visible concern written on both her's and Lanz's faces as they rushed their long-time friend to their tent. But, their Nopon friend Riku didn't follow, instead he had his eyes firmly set on Lucky Seven. He appeared both intrigued and concerned at the sight he just witnessed.

Well, this is weird. In fact, weird is just about the only word that can describe what exactly I'm seeing.

Currently I was standing in a... room? Place? Whatever this was, these weird images that are playing all around me are really weird. In one of them I caught sight of a chubby kid with hair that covered his right eye, in another I saw someone mocking the life out off me as I laid on the ground. In another I was even fighting and killing other people. In fact, the more I looked at these things, the more it felt like I was actually there. As though I could just get lost in all these... memories? If they are, then they aren't mine.

But, suddenly, everything went dark. Except for a single spotlight which shone down on me, bathing me in light that revealed a mirror in front of me.

I frowned at the sight though. This is weird, why am I seeing my own reflection right now.

But, after a second of inspection, I came to a realisation which made my heart stop for a moment. That wasn't me. I didn't have jet-black hair, I most certainly didn't have a ponytail, and my eyes weren't blue. Yet, my reflection was mimicking my moves perfectly as I examined the way in which he moved.

My frown receded as I felt a strange need to get closer to my reflection. One step after the other I drew closer to my other half. My right eye started to sting, and as I winced my other half revealed his eye to be pulsing with a mix of both gold and green.

However, when our fingers brushed the pain suddenly stopped.

"Arrrgh, what the hell?" I swore as I woke up in an unfamiliar room- tent as I saw almost immediately- my right eye itching like crazy and my body ached like hell as I rose up, only to frown when I looked down at myself.

What the hell was I even wearing? It looked like I was wearing a black uniform of sorts with a white cravat just below my neck. It didn't look bad exactly, but I can't say it looked good either. I've never liked uniforms, and that wasn't changing anytime soon.

I groaned in annoyance as I rose to my feet, rubbing my eye like hell. What was going on here? Why does my eye itch so mu-

A chime suddenly rang out in my head, and I was startled by a completely red hologram showing up at the front of my face. The sight actually made me reel back from surprise.

I stared around at what I was looking at, almost lost at the weird sight in front of me, and eventually trailed my eye towards what looked like a very familiar sword from one of my favourite games. It wasn't coloured correctly, but still that was Lucky Seven for sure. A sword that, in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, was sharp enough to cut through anything when unsheathed. It was right in front of my eyes, I could reach out and-

I felt my eye stop stinging as the fictional sword materialised in my right palm. It was surprisingly light, and the sheathed sword's core in the hilt was different than I remembered from the games. It was green instead of blue, in contrast to the rest of the sword, and a pane of clear glass stuck out from the design.

Seeing that made my eyes widen with intrigue, my hand gently caressing the glass as the sword seemed to hum slightly. Just holding it felt so natural, as though it was a part of me, and looking at it closer, it was like the glass had these very faint symbols on it.

Just like the Monado.

I frowned at the implications. Well shit. I was in Xenoblade Chronicles 3.

"Noah, it's good to see you awake. You gave the others quite a scare." Hearing the words of a familiar voice was enough to drag my head up, and the moment I did I was greeted with a sight that I knew well, as an avid fan of the Xenoblade trilogy. It was Lanz.

He was a broad looking guy with a few machine-like traits, but he mostly just looked like a human. His skin was grey, his hair was white, and his eyes were ruby red. He was a weird sight that's for sure.

Oblivious to my curious gaze at his appearance, Lanz continued to rant." What the spark was happening to your Blade back there? You were bein' shocked like crazy, you prick! You had me worried something was gonna happen to you!"

After he finished speaking, I finally felt the realisation kick in. I should have gotten it sooner, Lucky Seven was a massive hint that should have tipped me off.

I wasn't just in Xenoblade 3. I was the main character. I was Noah.

You know what... that's actually kinda cool. I'm the main character, so I should have plot armour, plus I know the plot well and what I can really do. The only question was, how long was it gonna be until I get my Ouroboros powers?

Hopefully not too long.

But, why was Lucky Seven different from in the games? And, just what am I doing right now?

Lanz was waiting for an answer, so I just answered with something vague. He was talking about Lucky Seven shocking me, so I just told him." Sorry, but Lucky Seven it- it just-"

"It what?"

A voice came from behind Lanz, which revealed itself to be a blue furball that was followed by a pretty girl with wings on her head." Sword act very strangely when morning. Does friend know why, Riku is gifter of Lucky Seven to Noah, and Riku know all about that sword. Green sparks no part of Lucky Seven's powers."

Eunie crossed her arms as she snarked down at the Nopon." Why the snuff would you give someone such a special sword if you didn't know what it could really do furball? Noah was practically crawlin' on the ground by the time that thing was done with him ya know?"

In response to her words he acted as though it wasn't a big deal." Oh please, friend is no dead is he not? He even hold Lucky Seven now with zero problem, mere malfunction of sword no doubt. Yes, mere malfunction. Riku have no way of knowing that Lucky Seven act out, so Riku hold no blame."

Eunie was about to start another argument, but I chose to just answer Riku's question and stop that from continuing." Lucky Seven just appeared in my hand and everything went dark. What happened to me?"

Lanz scoffed at that question." What happened was your Blade went crazy and zapped you out. Right in the middle of our briefing too. That was about an hour ago, we need to pack our stuff away and prepare to fight!"

Okay, so this shit is happening right now? Okay, no biggie. I've just been thrown into a completely unfamiliar place, with no battle experience at all besides playing video games under my belt, and I'm going to be fighting for my life. Piece of cake.

Not. But, then again, I don't really have a choice.

I stared at Lucky Seven and focused for a moment, trying to make the blade disappear, and surprisingly it worked. The sword in my grasp vanished into thin air and, not trying to linger on it, I did my best to maintain a stoic expression as I said my next words rather easily.

"Then let's pack away and join with the others. Sorry for what happened with Lucky Seven, it will not happen again." I did my best to try and replicate Noah's body language as I did so, and luckily the others seemed to buy it.

"Sure man. Now, let's go clobber us some Agnian scum!" I personally felt no small amount of disagreement at his words, and my body still felt sluggish... but otherwise I felt optimistic. Like I wasn't afraid of dying today, even though logically I should have.

I had no idea what I was going to do, that was true, and I didn't have any experience with a sword. I was most definitely out of my depth. However, I didn't feel like dying.

I had so much fucking work to do, this was gonna be a pain in the ass.

"Hey, is somethin' up with Noah today? He seems a little off, don' he?" Eunie whispered to Lanz, and gave Noah a worried glance as they marched forward, in a formation that wrapped around their Ferronis, towards their mission's objective. They were seated in the back, as the bodyguards of an off-seer they were never really positioned directly at the frontlines. Oh sure, they did more than their fair share of fighting, but her and Lanz's priority was ensuring the safety of their off-seer. As a result, they didn't need to risk their necks as much as the others.

Eunie... was conflicted on how she should've felt about that. She wanted to survive the last two years of her terms. But, she also felt uncomfortable with the idea of just lying back whilst her comrades bled and died. Ultimately though, she didn't feel that bad about it. She had her job to do afterall, and she was still fighting with her friends, so she didn't mind too much.

Lanz heard her words, and just shrugged." His Blade did go wild on him earlier, and he looked like he took a nasty shock. He's probably just a little shaken, that's all. Didn't even know a Blade could do that."

Eunie was admittedly only paying him half her attention. The other half was on Noah's sword. He had the firmly in his grip as them and their comrades marched forward towards their target, yet Noah seemed to be paying little attention to anything other than Lucky Seven. More specifically it's green core by the hilt.

The sight was enough to make Eunie frown. She'd always found that sword weird. She'd been there when Riku explained what the spark it really was, and she was almost worried about what a sword like that could really do. But, that worry vanished when Noah took it. Not once had she ever seen him actually use the katana hidden inside the Blade's sheath, not even when his life was on the line. He never cared about what he could do with that thing, in fact, she got the idea that he hated the idea of wielding that sort of power. Just like back in training, even losing wasn't a thought that would make him pull that thing out truly.

He might be an idiot for it, but she never minded. It was just so Noah.

However, when she looked at him, that glint in his eyes, that subtle little thing, it made him seem like a whole new person to her. He stared at Lucky Seven like it was the greatest thing in the world, like just holding the thing was enough to make him do something rash. Instead of those deep blue eyes looking stoic and shining with a tint of empathy, they were brimming with curiosity and awe. Even if the others didn't see it, she did.

And, she didn't know what he was up to?

"Eunie, you're staring."

The wing-headed girl snapped out of her daze, and was greeted in response by a quip from Lanz." Those Agnians have their work cut out for them. What's the point of smashing your head in if you haven't got a working brain worth smashing?"

Eunie reflexively snarked back." Can it you overgrown spoon. I ain't starin' or nothin'. The spark are you on about starin'." She muttered that last part. But, she did sneak a quick glance at her ponytailed friend after a moment. The anxiety she felt being only slightly placated by Lanz's words.

Riku noticed this, and the waddling Nopon quickly waddled forward to reassure her." Sword is strange thing, act very unpredictable. But, it no harm wielder. Whatever happen in earlier time of day will not happen again. Riku assures."

Eunie rolls her eyes at that." Oh yeah, I'm feelin' reeeaaly good that Noah's carryin' round' a Blade that hurts him. How sure are you that it won't hurt him again?"

Riku confidently said." Riku is ninety nine percent sure. Will not happen again, that is certain."

The brown haires girl felt some annoyance surge within her chest when she heard those." If Noah ends up dyin' because of a sword that you gave him, then I'll-"

"Enemy approaching! Prepare for battle, men! For the glory of Keves!"

Eunie felt her rage redirect itself from the Nopon behind her to the Agnian soldiers in the distance when she heard those words. The roar of their Ferronis, and the cries of her comrades filled the air as their first wave of soldiers ran full throttle towards the frontlines. But, her, Lanz and Riku were to stay near the back, and only engage when ordered too.

"Noah, stay behind us!" In response to Lanz's words Noah nodded, looking far more like himself, as he took his place just behind them.

Eunie swiftly pulled out her Gun Rod, ready for anything that might come her way.

She's thinking too much. On the battlefield, you can only have eyes for your enemies.

Chaos. That was the only word I could have used to describe what was going on.

Shots of ether were flying everywhere, swords were being swung, and lives were being lost. Even though we were arranged in formations, splitting off into groups, that didn't create order in a battlefield.

"Noah! A group of Levnis are advancing through our weak right flank! Take Kite and Melissa's and halt their advance!"

Those orders came from a man who I didn't know the name of, nor his rank, but I adapted to the situation quickly and merely accepted my orders." Yes sir!"

I turned to my team, which consisted of Lanz, Eunie and Riku, before just stating." You heard him, where the fu- spark are Melissa and Kite?"

Fortunately, that seemed to be the right thing to ask, since Lanz quickly answered me." Kite is busy guarding the artillery, and Melissa is positioned at the left flank with Marlon's team. If they keep advancing and make it to the Commander, then the chain of command is gone and we'll all be dead if that happens! What do we do Noah?!"

The question thrown at my face was yet another reminder that I was the leader here, so I needed to give orders. I might be a bit dumb, but I'm not a full-blown idiot. If I mess up then we all die, but if I don't act then-

I stared into the distance, a really stupid thought appearing in my head as I turned to Lanz." Is there anyone already engaging the Ferronis?"

"No. Everyone is occupied." Well, shit.

I let out a deep breath of thought, closing my eyes, whilst I considered all of my options. What could I do? I've never even held a sword until now, how the hell am I meant to do anything.

"Use me."

Hearing a bone-chillingly clear voice in my ear, despite the chaos in the battlefield, was enough to guide my eyes towards the source. Lucky Seven. The core was pulsing emerald, swirling in the middle like a high-speed gear, and in just a second an extremity of information passed through my mind.

I could see myself. I was swing Lucky Seven like a pro. It was a part of me. It was my sword. All I needed was to swing it, and victory would be ours. The techniques, the Arts, the power. It all struck me like a lightning strike.

I knew what to do.

I stared up at the two of them, overwhelming confidence in my eyes, and stated." We'll take them down ourselves."

Hearing that made the two of them react almost comically. Lanz and Eunie both screamed out in disbelief.

"What?!"

"Are you trying to kill all of us you muppet?"

I flinched back a little at their remarks, but explained to them." Lucky Seven has been acting weird, like earlier when it shocked me, but I don't think that it was coincidence. The sword, it- it's changed! I know that we can do this if you bare with me."

Riku gave me a curious look." What does Noah mean when he say Lucky Seven change?"

I shook my head at him in response." There's no time for that. Either we do this, or they break through our defense! We need to stop them, and we need to do it now!"

Eunie gave me a tired look, then stared out at the right flank, then back to me. Finally, she groaned out." What a real piece of work. Fine, I'll follow you."

Lanz crossed his arms, thinking for a moment, but ultimately he just sighed." I'll trust you too, Noah. We die if we don't go, and if we don't go then we're all dead. I just hope you aren't lying to us."

Aw geez, it's heartening to know how much you believe in me. Still though, I have a feeling that we're going to live. That I'm going to live.

I can't die here. Not until I've shown this world what I'm really made of.

"Let's go then! We'll stop them, right here!" After that little speech I ran forward towards our right flank, taking the lead and holding Lucky Seven overhead. Then, the core turned blue, and a familiar symbol appeared on the glass.

It's time to see if I'm any good at this whole fighting thing.

I twisted my arm and cast Lucky Seven to the right, activating one of my new abilities." Monado... SPEED!" I yelled that last part at the top of my lungs, a blue aura surrounding all four of us as we charged forward. The world almost seeming to slow down a little as stamina became something trivial.

"What the hell is this?!" Lanz questioned as he ran behind me, Eunie also seemed to be surprised too, if that look of astonishment was anything to go by.

"Even I don't really know! Just keep running!" I really hoped that they weren't going to question me too hard. I wouldn't even know what to say.

"I don't geddit', but I ain't complainin'!" Eunie gave her two cents as the right flank came into view, a few levises coming into view, along with some Agnian soldiers.

Riku was also keeping up, impressively well for how puny his legs were actually, and just spoke." Friends should question later! Keep eyes sharp and not meet maker here!" He cocked his gun.

I stared down at my blade, the symbol for Monado Speed still pulsed with life. In order to use a different Monado Art I would need to cancel the active one, so using any of those were out. I guess I just needed to do this the old fashioned way.

The Agnian soldiers noticed us and began to fire relentlessly, however something inside me felt instinctively wrong in the position I was in, and a rush of energy flowed through my veins, and my body my body just... dodged.

Weaving and ducking under the hailing bullets with unbelievable ease, I found myself being remarkably calm as I continued undisturbed towards the enemy. Lanz and Eunie also seemed to do the same as they followed closely behind me. Another volley of shots were sent our way... but it was almost uncomfortably easy to avoid them. I felt, in that moment, as though my body was just avoiding every attack thrown my way as comfortably as breathing.

Lanz also seemed to feel that way." What the hell is this?! Why are we avoiding these things so easily?!" Well, at least I wasn't alone.

Jumping forward, the distance between me and the Agnians was closed in a moment's notice, and when I brought my sword down and took a life I felt... disturbingly calm. As though killing was completely natural to me. That wasn't normal, and was likely the work of my Flame Clock Iris, however I was actually grateful that I didn't feel any guilt. I couldn't have afforded to slow down. Not when my life was on the line.

I closed the distance between the soldiers and me in an instant, and let loose with an Art." Air Slash!"

The words left my mouth almost without thinking, and my sword ripped through an unlucky soldier's helmet and split their head down the middle. Blood sprayed everywhere, and a lifeless husk was left to die in the dirt.

A soldier tried to gut me with a pair of bright yellow blades, however I swiftly avoided the attack. Then, pivoting with my foot, I sent a piercing sharp strike their way that slit their throat open.

I wasn't given time to rest though. A spear poised to bury it's way into my heart passed me by a hair, and in response I placed my hand on the weapon... before plunging Lucky Seven inside their stomach!

They coughed up blood, and a speck of bile rose in my throat from the reality of what I just did, however I couldn't do anything other than drop them to die a painful death as I chose to face the miniature Ferronis they had sent our way. The mechanical monstrosities were converging on our location all at once, and we had to put a halt to their rampage.

Putting my thoughts of murder aside, I considered what I could do to take the giant robots out efficiently.

The short answer, team work.

"Lanz, Eunie. Help me take the left one down, and prepare to be slowed down." I gave the order as I switched the Monado Arts, Lucky Seven becoming alight with a vibrant violet glow as the symbol on the glass hilt changed shape.

"Monado Enchant!"

I immediately felt the world pick back up in response to the change in speed, but I did note the subtle changes that the new move did bring.

The loss of muscle fatigue was appreciated as all three of us rushed forward to destroy the machines of war, and I scampered to the side as an ether shot was sent my way. Then I screamed as a Levnis tried to bring down it's giant sword for an arm down on me, intending to take my life.

Not today.

I raised Lucky Seven and met the blow head-on, only to be surprised as the sword was slashed down the middle by Lucky Seven. The sword shouldn't have been sharp enough to cut the levnis sheathed, but I wasn't about to complain.

Taking advantage of the opening, I ducked under the ruined blade, and cut right through the middle body of the levnis. The strike caused the thing to be split in two with the upper half falling to the ground.

However, I wasn't out of the woods yet. I turned around to see a levnis poised to cut me down, but I didn't need to defend since Eunie shot them clean through the hull, presumably killing whoever piloted the thing as the machine fell to the ground.

I sent her a grateful look, taking my place with the rest of my friends as the enemy sent another wave of enemies our way.

"Stay sharp, we still have enemies to fight!" Yet, despite those words, I couldn't help but feel safe with Eunie and Lanz besides me. I was going to live.

We were going to live.

I feel like Lucky Seven/The Sword of Origin is a sword that isn't as crucial in Xenoblade 3 as the other swords. It's just really sharp. So, I figured that I'd make that a part of the plot in this game. This is mostly just for fun by the way, so don't think you'll be getting multiple updates a week.