The group roused from their sleep early the next morning, eager to get on their way.
At this hour, the streets were mostly devoid of people, which Rex personally considered to be a positive; while they had not been accosted last night, they had gotten more than a few stares from passersby while waiting around for Tora.
Not that he was particularly surprised by that, of course. Lasanne was close enough to Torigoth that word of their initial altercation with Morag would have arrived days ago, and the wanted posters had only been removed hours before they arrived. Under those circumstances, it made perfect sense that the locals were wary of them; had they not arrived with the Special Inquisitor, he suspected there would have been much more trouble.
Following a quick breakfast, they made their way toward Umon's shipyard. Rex still wasn't entirely sure that passing through Voltis was the smartest idea, but it wasn't like they were exactly flush for choices. They had come to the decision to take the Nopon's offer after a short yet heated discussion over dinner the night before...
"…So, those are our options." Rex concluded, looking over the others. He was doing his best to keep his own trepidation in check as he added, "So, what are your thoughts?"
They had sequestered themselves at a corner table in the inn, where they were afforded a degree of privacy. Not that it had been a particularly great concern, given how wide a berth the locals had been giving them.
He watched the assembled group mull over their options. By now, he had a reasonably good read on how most of them would probably vote. Azurda, in his normal fashion, would agree that passing through the Guilds was unavoidable if they wanted to reach Tadbir in anything resembling a reasonable timescale, but would question his own resolve first.
Dromarch was easy as well; he would vote with Nia, even if he had his own concerns. He may bring them up with his Driver privately, but the tiger was nothing if not loyal to his lady. As for Nia, she was the most experienced traveler in their group. He wanted to say that she would see the logic in his argument, but by the same token, given her own background, he suspected she might-
"I hate to say it, but it sounds like taking Umon up on his offer is the best plan." The Gormotti girl spoke up.
Azurda nodded, his arms crossed. "I concur." The little Titan agreed. "I cannot say I favor the option under the present circumstances, but considering the alternatives, we find ourselves somewhat lacking in viable options at the moment."
Tora tilted his head to the side, an action the Poppi mirrored. "Is Voltis Trade Guild really safe for friends?" He asked. "Rex-Rex say feud between Voltis Chairman and Bana, but Tora not sure how safe that make it."
"I'm afraid I must agree with master Tora in this regard, my Lady." Dromarch replied apologetically. "Considering the potential risks, I cannot approve of this course of action with so little reassurance of our safety as a 'feud' preventing Chairman Bana from pursuing us."
...Perhaps his predictions still needed some work.
Rex leaned back in his chair. "Well, I suppose 'feud' is underselling it a little bit." He admitted, shooting a glance at the Nopon at the table. "Tora, you know how Nopon can be when a big trade deal is on the line, right?"
Tora nodded in response. "Tora know very well!" He exclaimed, waving his wings in the air. "Dadapon tell Tora many stories of nasty nasty wars between Larus and Nardron Guilds in distant past over big contracts with great powers of time. Even on small scale, Tora see firsthand how cutthroat traderpons can be to sign deal over rival!"
He scowled as he recalled the events of the last few days. "Or if feel have been slighted." The Nopon grumbled. "Tora not have even half as much trouble over last few days if certain criminalpon not demonstrate point."
"Chairman Bana and Chairman Fururu have been personally competing over Ardainian military salvaging contracts for thirty years." Rex replied, giving Tora a knowing look.
Silence descended over the table as Tora considered the information before slowly lowering his wings back to his side. "Tora retract all objections." He said. "If that case, Voltis Trade Guild safest place on Alrest from Bana."
"Just like that?" Nia asked, raising an eyebrow at the Nopon.
He looked at the girl as if she was a small, particularly ignorant child. "Nia-Nia not know how far traderpons go to get deal. If Chairmans fight over deal like that, Tora surprised both guilds still standing."
Rex frowned. "According to Spraine, it was a pretty close call at one point. During the last war between Mor Ardain and Uraya, the two guilds were constantly raiding each other's ships." He paused for effect, before adding. "They were both supporting the same side."
"If that is the case, I… suppose I can understand why master Tora is so willing to believe it safe." Dromarch hesitantly agreed. "However, if we are to proceed, I would recommend caution." Glancing at Rex and Nia, he added, "Especially the two of you. Master Tora should be reasonably safe, considering he has yet to draw the Chairman's ire, but I would recommend we minimize our time apart for the duration of our stay, least we leave ourselves vulnerable to being ambushed separately."
"That's probably for the best." Azurda agreed. Glancing over at the Titan, he asked, "Would I be correct in assuming that the two of them sticking together is a condition of your agreement?"
Dromarch was silent for a moment before nodding. "You would."
Rex and Nia exchanged a glance, judging the other's reaction, before turning back to the older members of the group. "I don't see an issue with that." Rex stated.
"Me neither." Nia agreed.
Azurda nodded. "In that case, I suppose it is just Poppi left?" He asked, causing the rest of the party to stare at the mechanic girl.
She waved her arms at her side, mimicking the Nopon body language for excitement. "Poppi want see trade guild!" She exclaimed. "Masterpon program all sorts of information about Nopon culture into Poppi, but Poppi want experience for self!"
"I guess that's settled, then." Rex nodded, before launching into a discussion about their plan in the morning.
It only took a few minutes to reach the shipyard, a fairly simple arched building that barely looked large enough to fit more than a single mid-sized ship within. Already, that boded poorly to their prospects; Rex wasn't even sure that Azurda could have fit inside before his little 'accident'.
"Unclepon!" Tora cried, throwing the door to the workshop open. "Tora back!"
As they filed into the building, Rex cast a critical eye around the interior. Much as he expected, there was not much in the way of space. A full half of the floorspace had been cut away, leaving it open to the Cloud Sea to serve as a berth for the Titans upon which the ships were built. The rest of the room was filled with equipment and supplies; piles of hewn logs and pre-worked metal were stacked next to workbenches covered in tools. A massive crane assembly was suspended from the ceiling, half of a log currently held in its grasp.
In a corner, working away at some paperwork, was an older-looking Nopon, his fluff a shade of dark gray that nearly matched the color of his oil-stained jumpsuit. At the sound of them entering, he stood up from his desk and turned to face them.
"Ah! Tora!" He greeted the younger Nopon warmly. "Umon thought would be back!"
Looking over the others in the group, he smiled. "And look at sidekicks of Tora! Soosoo would be so proud of grandlittlepon!"
Tora laughed. "Tora tell unclepon already! Rex-Rex and Nia-Nia real friends, not sidekicks!"
Azurda leaned over Rex's shoulder, giving the younger Nopon an amused look. "And what, prey tell, does that make the two of us, may I ask? Chopped liver, perhaps?"
Ignoring him, Tora turned to Rex and Nia. "Friends meet Umon! He old friend of grampypon! Teach grampypon basics of engineering when both still littlepon!"
Umon chuckled at the exuberant introduction. "Tora give Umon too much credit! Umon and Soosoo learn engineering at same time, and Umon help Soosoo with projects when starting out." He smiled fondly as he reminisced. "Soosoo move past what Umon able to help with in blink of eye. Umon never good for anything other than build ships."
"Please, sir." Dromarch spoke up. "Do not lessen the importance of your duties just because they are not as innovative. Constructing ships is an important role in society; without ships, the economy would surely crumble."
"Hah! Blade know how to praise Nopon!" He guffawed. "But not need. Umon know importance of work, and is happy with lot in life."
Rex gave the man a big smile. "Hello! Nice to meet you!"
"What he said." Nia chimed up amicably. "Thanks for helping us out."
Looking back at Tora, he continued. "So, if Tora back with friends, that mean take Umon up on offer?"
The younger Nopon nodded. "That right! Tora and friends talk it over, and decide Voltis good enough stop on boaty-jaunt. Will deliver boat for Umon."
"Wonderful! Umon knew could trust Tora!" He replied, pointing his wings at the vessel behind him. "This ship right here! Just finished week ago, but dummy Ardainians close ports. Not able to catch baddies or something."
If he noticed the sudden exchange of nervous glances behind Tora, he didn't comment on it. "Anyway, Tora! Come with me into office while friends load up boat. Need make sure Tora know how to hand over when reach Voltis."
He glanced up at Rex and Nia. "Friends be careful when loading boat, though! Is to be delivered to client, so must not dirty or damage, otherwise Umon charge!"
"That seems fair enough." Rex said, hefting a bag of supplies. Looking down at Tora, he added, "We'll get your stuff loaded if you want to finalize things with Umon."
"Rex-Rex kind, but contents of bag delicate! Need handled by specialist." The Nopon said, before turning his gaze to Poppi. "Poppi, please help Rex-Rex stow bag. Masterpon return in minute."
She stood up straight, giving her creator a mock salute. "Poppi obey, Masterpon!" She chimed cheerfully.
As Tora and Umon walked off to the far side of the building, Rex turned to start boarding the vessel when he felt someone grab him by the shoulder. Glancing behind him, he addressed the only person present who could have done it. "What do you need, Nia?"
The Gormotti girl looked at him briefly before her eyes flicked over to Poppi, who had just leapt onto the deck. "Do you think that you could handle loading up the ship?" She asked, giving the artificial Blade a pensive look. "I need to have a… conversation with Poppi."
Rex winced, realizing exactly what she meant. "Right, right…" He said, scratching the back of his head. "I completely forgot about that with the, well…"
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. Tora already knows about you, so it's not like it's your concern anymore." She said, a touch of bitterness in her voice. "But if you can just keep everything handled for a minute…?"
"Don't worry, I've got it." He nodded, grabbing the girl's bag. "Just be quick; I don't know how much longer Tora's going to be in there."
He turned back to the boat, casually stepping up the gangplank, as he heard Nia call out to Poppi. The artificial Blade brushed past him as he entered the cabin of the ship, hopping down to the floor and following the Gormotti girl out of the building.
Nia led Poppi around the side of the shipyard, careful to make sure they were well away from any prying eyes. While it was still early enough in the morning that the piers were experiencing little traffic, that wasn't the same thing as none.
She decided on an alcove near the edge of the Cloud Sea, far enough away from the door or any of the windows to be overheard in the event that Tora came looking for Poppi. It wasn't an ideal position, but it was better than nothing as long as she made this quick.
Poppi tiled her head in confusion as Nia dragged her into the alcove. "Why Nia bring Poppi here?" She asked. "Does Nia have problem Poppi help with?"
The Gormotti girl gave a nervous chuckle in response. "Ah… something like that." She said, scratching her cheek awkwardly. How exactly was she supposed to go about this? What if Poppi had forgotten, and all she was doing was reminding her? Could robots even forget things?
Brushing her thoughts aside, she hesitantly broached the subject. "S-say, Poppi? Do you remember what happened when we woke you up? You know, when you… um, scanned the old man?"
"Poppi remember." The artificial Blade responded. "Poppi took reading of ether emissions of all friends present. Identified Azurda as 'Titan', Dromarch as 'Blade', and Rex and Nia as 'Human-asterisk'." She paused before adding, "Based on subsequent addition to knowledge bank, classification of 'Human-asterisk' requires updating. Poppi considering reclassification to 'Blade Eater', but believes requires more information."
Nia was almost afraid to ask, but couldn't help but be a little curious about the artificial Blade's thought process. "W-what kinda information?"
She was given a curious look in response. "Nia not know?" She asked, a degree of surprise in her voice. "Nia was one who introduced Poppi to potential subclassification 'Flesh Eater' during conversation with Special Inquisitor."
"T-that's…" She stammered, her face paling despite her best efforts. Even though the mechanical girl hadn't implied she knew anything about where Nia fell in that particular classification, she couldn't help feeling distinctly like she needed to choose her next few words carefully.
Exactly what had she said the other night, again? She had made some brief comments about most of Torna being Flesh Eaters, she had mentioned that Mik was a Blade Eater, but… no, she hadn't said anything beyond that, had she? Poppi, who had no knowledge about them beyond the name would be confused if she was trying to figure out where they stood, Nia supposed.
"W-well, maybe it's a bit too soon to be trying to figure that out? I mean, you shouldn't jump into it until you have more information! I-I'd just label the whole classification as something generic for now." Nia attempted to play off casually, although the nervous laughter interspersing her words did little to make her confidence seem convincing. "N-no need to overcomplicate things, right?"
Poppi stared into her eyes searchingly. Once again, Nia couldn't help but notice how off-putting the artificial Blade's mannerisms could be. Tora had done a very good job making her as lifelike as possible, but there were moments like this where the lack of subtle imperfections and unconscious movements that both humans and Blades possessed made her just a little bit… uncanny.
After a moment, the mechanical girl closed her eyes and smiled at her. "Nia right!" She declared without warning. "Poppi get ahead of self by trying to incorporate subclassifications into category still defining! Generic name perfectly fine until learn more!"
Nia let out a sigh of relief. "Thank the Architect…" She muttered, hunching forward as the stress left her body. Now all she needed to do was convince the girl to keep her own placement in that category quiet, and-
"Poppi ask Masterpon to help research!" The artificial Blade announced cheerfully.
Her eyes shot open. "Poppi WAIT!" She cried, shooting up straight.
The artificial Blade turned to face her, once again looking confused. "What wrong? Did Nia have more to say to Poppi?"
"You can't… I mean…" She reigned in her thoughts for a moment, composing herself. "Can you… not tell Tora? About me, I mean?"
"Not… tell Masterpon?" If anything, the artificial Blade just looked even more confused, as if the idea of keeping secrets from Tora was an alien concept to her. Perhaps, Nia thought distantly, it was. "Poppi not understand."
She clutched her hands to her chest, looking down at the ground. "It's just…" She began, trying to think of how to convey the idea the artificial Blade. "People like Rex and I… it's dangerous for people to know about us." She looked up, meeting Poppi in the eyes. "Please, just… don't tell anyone. Not even Tora."
Poppi stared at her blankly for a moment. "Poppi still not understand, but…" Her face shifted into a sad smile. "…Can see important to friend Nia. Poppi not tell Masterpon classification of Nia."
Nia sighed in relief. "Thank you, Poppi." She said. "If there's anything I can do to make it up to you…"
"Poppi not require material transaction for help friend." The artificial Blade declared before her face shifted to a slightly mischievous grin. "However, may change if find something Poppi like."
The Gormotti girl couldn't help but chuckle. "I think we can work something out." She replied, looking back around the corner. "Think that Tora's ready to shove off yet?"
"Scanning." Poppi stated, going stiff as she stared directly at the wall beside them. "Thermal imaging suggest Masterpon and Umon still inside office. Poppi think shaking wings."
"Probably wrapping things up in there." Nia concluded. "Let's get back to the ship before he wonders where we've gone, then."
They wandered back inside, just a few moments before the two Nopon exited the office. Rex, who had already finished stowing what few bags they had, acknowledged their return with a nod before leaping down from the deck of the ship.
"All good?" He asked, giving her a concerned look.
Nia glanced down at Poppi for a moment before nodding at Rex. "Yeah, I think we are." She replied, smiling.
Only a moment later, Tora and Umon returned, the pair of Nopon looking pleased with their arrangement. "Friends ready to depart?" Tora asked cheerfully.
"We're all squared away." Rex replied, gesturing up to the deck of the ship.
Umon gave the boy an approving nod. "Friends of Tora very efficient. That good skill to have on sea." Pausing for a moment, he added, "That remind Umon… friends do have pilot for boat, yes? Not want friends to go through all trouble, when can't even leave berth!"
The boy puffed out his chest, arms at his hips. "I'll be handling that". He replied. "I've been handling Titan ships for years, after all."
"You've been handling one Titan ship for years." Azurda corrected, leaning over his shoulder. "And if you recall, I was the one doing most of the actual piloting."
"Come off it, Gramps!" Rex whined in annoyance. "I was the one handling navigation, and I did have to get certified on standard ship control schemes before they'd let us dock at Goldmouth!" The boy defended.
Umon chuckled at the two. "Umon sure friends be fine." He agreed, giving Tora a pat on the shoulder. "Just remember: Friends must deliver boat to guild in good condition, or Umon seek damages." He said, a serious glint in his eyes. "On other wing, Umon contract state buyer give bonus if delivered within week. If friends manage, maybe Umon give part to friends?"
"'Maybe?'" Nia scoffed under her breath. Leave it to a Nopon to try and weasel out of paying extra. Slightly louder, she asked, "Will it really take that long? We're headed straight there, after all."
"Oh, I don't doubt it." Rex replied, pulling out his Cloud Sea compass. "At this time of year, Voltis is trailing a day or two behind Uraya. A week is doable, but we'll definitely not want to be doing a lot of stopping."
"Yes yes!" Umon agreed, bobbing up and down. "Week perfectly doable if friends not dawdle!"
Dromarch glanced down at the older Nopon with an amused expression. "I believe that he means to imply that we should not delay our departure." The tiger said. "If we are prepared, I suggest we get underway."
Rex walked back up the gangplank, beelining straight for the helm. "Of course." The boy stated. "I'd rather we make as much time as possible while it's still daylight. Navigating in the dark is always a pain."
Behind him, the rest of the party boarded the ship. As they locked the railing gate behind them, Tora turned around and looked down at Umon. "Unclepon! Tora thank for help!"
The older Nopon laughed. "Tora not worry! Friends helping Umon just as much! Enjoy boaty-jaunt!" He replied, before reminding them, "And keep boat clean! Umon serious about charging friends otherwise!"
"Bye unclepon!" Tora cried again, ignoring the threat.
Slowly, the ship creaked as the Titan it was built atop began to slide out of the berth. The party watched as Umon vanished from their fields of view, giving him a final set of thanks, before they finally slipped free of the covered shipyard and began floating across the expanse of the Cloud Sea, leaving Gormott behind.
"Ugh." Patroka huffed, watching as a cluster of multicolored points slowly drifted away from the projected form of the Continental Titan. "It's about time those brats started moving. I thought they were never going to leave Gormott!"
Beside her, Akhos gave the girl an amused look. "Now now, sister." He chided lightly. "It was only a week. Nothing that transpired was too far outside of the script."
"Right." The female Flesh Eater rolled her eyes. "And I suppose your 'script' also included the Aegis giving up her Core Crystal to that kid?"
Akhos frowned at the barb. "I would be lying if I said it did." He allowed, adjusting his glasses with a single finger. "But in the end, it matters little that the leading lady decided to hand off her role to an understudy at the last moment; so long as they adhere to the script, the play shall proceed as we desire it."
Above him, Obrona broke out into a fit of giggles. "He says that now, but Akhos threw a tantrum after Jin told him what happened." She revealed, lazily floating around the projection she was displaying of the Aegis' party. "He even broke his writing table! Ohhh~, how are you going to write your plays now, Akhos?"
Patroka let out a sharp, barking laugh. "That's amazing!" She chortled. "Maybe he'll pick up a hobby he's actually good at this time!"
"Tch. There's no need to relay such trivial details." Her Driver scoffed, attempting to play off his annoyance with the winged Blade. "It was a… surprise, yes, but a trivial one. Beneficial, even!"
His sister snorted, looking back at the projection. "Yes, 'beneficial', whatever you say." She muttered as the small cluster of dots slowly drifted from Gormott. "We'd have already been halfway up the damn tree if she hadn't pulled that stunt. Her and that little traitor."
"Now, now, there was always the chance that the Aegis would awaken when we tried to obtain her." Akhos pointed out. "I doubt she would have willingly left herself in such a vulnerable condition without some form of contingency plan—it would have been stupid not to, and the Aegis is anything but."
Gazing at the point representing Rex, a glowing dot that shifted hypnotically between green and red, he added, "At least with this outcome, all of that power is in the possession of a novice and not a skilled veteran."
Patroka frowned. "Novices have a tendency to not remain that way for long." The woman pointed out. "Especially if they're being helped along." She pointed at the newest pair of dots to join the group. "He's not exactly been sitting around, after all. It's only been a week, and already he's started gathering allies. We should hit them soon, while they're still weak."
"Is that concern I'm hearing from you, Patroka?" A new voice cut in. "I always thought you liked a challenge, gorgeous!"
Her face contorted in annoyance as she glared toward the entrance to the room. There, walking in, were Malos and Mikhail. "Mik," she said, a dangerous note in her voice, "if you want to keep your teeth, then shut your damn mouth."
The Blade Eater held his hands over his heart. "Oh Patroka, how could you wound me so?" He said in a theatrical, overdramatic tone.
Malos ignored the byplay between the two, strolling up to the projected map. "Akhos, what did you need?" He asked in his normal, clipped tone.
"You asked to be informed when your counterpart's… replacement left Gormott." Akhos replied, pointing up at the cluster of dots. "They picked up a couple of stragglers from Torigoth, but nothing that should be a cause for concern."
He watched as the dark Aegis stared up at the map, a contemplative look on his face. His eyes were locked on Rex's dot as the color slowly fluctuated. The thespian had no idea what was going through the other man's mind. Had he been in Malos' position, he would be enraged, watching as Obrona's map dispassionately melded the ether of his own sister into the reading of a human.
But Malos wasn't Akhos, and Mythra wasn't Patroka. The Aegises had spent their entire lives as Blades trying their best to kill one another, so there was hardly any love lost between them. He wasn't even clear if the two even regarded each other as siblings, despite holding a far stronger claim to the designation than he and Patroka did.
After a moment, the dark Aegis snorted. "I've got to admit, Mythra did one hell of a job with that Core transfer; she inserted it into him so cleanly that even Obrona's abilities can barely tell it isn't natural."
The Blade in question pouted as she drifted by upside down. "It doesn't work like that, and you know it." She insisted. "What does it even matter? Are you jealous that she had better control of her Core Crystal than you?"
"Please, like I would even want to be skilled at something like that." He scoffed, not bothering to look in her direction. "If Mythra wants to dump her problems on someone else, that's all her." He cupped his fist with the other hand. "As long as her Core Crystal survives long enough for me to get back what she took from me, I don't care who has it."
"Well said." Akhos agreed, looking back at the cluster of dots. "If my predictions are correct, they should be making their initial turn toward the World Tree soon."
Patroka rolled her eyes again. "Right, right. 'Prediction'." She said, watching them as well. "Last I heard, you were still debating whether or not they'd be stopping in Uraya after making contact with Ophion."
"Oh, that is hardly up for debate any more. Of course they will." He replied in a patronizing tone. "Even after they have ordered Ophion to cease its patrol, it will take some time for the rift to settle enough to traverse. Humans being what they are, I suspect they will retreat to the nearest Titan to enjoy the local comforts while it settles."
"And that's Uraya." Mikhail asked skeptically.
He gestured in the direction of the Titan. "Of course. It only recently surfaced as well, so they are at no risk of it submerging again in the near future." A grin crossed his face as he contemplated their course of action. "Oh, the options we will have for how to grab them once they're there! I can hardly wait! Uraya is such a fantastic stage for the closing act of this little farce!"
The Blade Eater laughed at his behavior. "I've got to hand it to you, Akhos; you've put a lot of thought into this for a plan that's not going to work."
Glancing at the other man, Akhos narrowed his eyes. "It sounds like you doubt my script." He said darkly. "Tell me, what exactly do you think is wrong with my predictions?"
Mikhail shrugged. "I think you're underestimating how eager the brat is to get to the World Tree." He replied. "The kid's a salvager, after all, and they're nothing if driven. He won't mind hanging around the rift for a few days while it settles—in his line of work, waits like that are typical." Pointing at the singular solid red dot on the map, so faint it could barely be seen, he added, "Besides, they've only got one actual human with them-"
"It's a Nopon." Obrona corrected offhandedly as she drifted past.
"No actual humans with them," he smoothly corrected, "and we all know that Nia's hardly one to complain about roughing it away from civilization. They'll wait."
Akhos gave another critical look at the dots with a frown. "Perhaps." He allowed, watching as they drifted closer to the projected point of their first heading change. "But it matters little. Uraya is a more ideal stage, but even their ship will do if they decide to remain in place."
Patroka glanced over at Malos. "So, are we going to wait for Jin, or jump them sooner?" She asked.
"Depends on if they follow Akhos' little 'script' or not." The dark Aegis grunted. "If they're sticking around, though, we'll need him with us if we want to succeed. We're risking a lot as it is, letting them make contact with Ophion. If we have to board their ship, his speed will be the deciding factor."
"How are the logistics of that going to work out, then?" She pressed. "What, is he just going to meet us en-route, or are we-?"
"No! What are you doing!?" Akhos shouted, glaring up at the map. "The World Tree is that way, you blithering morons!"
Beside him, Mikhail cackled at the thespian's rage. "Oh Architect, it never gets old!"
Ignoring the Blade Eater, Malos turned his attention to Akhos. "What are you complaining about this time, Akhos?"
"They're not headed for the World Tree~! They're not headed for the World Tree~!" Obrona mocked in a sing-song tone, swirling around her Driver.
Akhos just stared up in disbelief. "T-they're heading the opposite direction." He muttered, trying to figure out their trajectory. "I don't understand… the World Tree is right there! They just have to sail toward it, and they'd be there within about a day!"
"Why wouldn't they head straight there?" Malos pondered, looking up at the map. "Nia has to have told the brat that we can track him, so delaying just gives us a chance to catch them. Why would he risk going somewhere else?" His eyes widened as he seemed to realize something. "Unless…"
The three Blade hybrids (plus one full Blade) turned to look at Malos as he broke out laughing. The dark Aegis was nearly doubled over, trying his best to restrain himself. "H-he doesn't know!" He wheezed between peals of hideous laughter that made Akhos' skin crawl. "He doesn't know! She didn't tell him! Oh Father, this is too rich!"
Mikhail and Patroka shared a disturbed look, so off-put that the former did not even make an attempt to flirt with the latter. While Malos tended to be a rather dour man, he did have his own brand of dark humor, so seeing him laugh was, if not a common occurrence, at least not unfamiliar.
But seeing the dark Aegis breaking down in gut-busting laughter, barely able to stand? That was something entirely different.
"I believe I have missed how this turn of events can be construed as comedy." Akhos spoke up, giving the other man an uncertain look.
Malos straightened himself up, wiping tears from his eyes as smaller fits of laughter attempted to bubble out of him. "Don't you see!?" He said, pointing at the cluster of dots mirthfully. "That brat… He doesn't know he can control Ophion! Mythra must not have told him about it! That's why they're not going there; they must be headed somewhere else to try and figure out how to get past it!"
Akhos looked back at the map with a frown. That… did make some sense, actually. Their current heading seemed to be trying to give the World Tree a wide berth as they headed… wherever. They must have learned about Ophion while they were on Gormott!
"But… where would he be going, then?" The thespian wondered, checking the Aegis' trajectory. Were they still headed to Uraya? If they were, then Torna could still salvage his preferred script. True, Malos hadn't wanted to drain the boy of Mythra's data until after he had tamed Ophion, just in case the woman had left any surprises behind if her brother tried controlling it himself, but if he didn't even know that was possible…
"One of the Trade Guilds." Mikhail spoke up, his eyes tracing the trajectory. "Probably Larus or Voltis, in this season." He stuck his hand into the projection, tracing a curved line leading from Gormott in the general direction where Uraya would be. "The kid's a Guild salvager, right? Then he'll know the seasonal routes. It looks like he's getting on the Mendis trade trunk to circumvent Uraya."
Malos nodded. "And from the Guilds, they'll be able to catch a ride to nearly anywhere in Alrest."
"Something like that." Mikhail agreed. Glancing over at the dark Aegis, he asked, "How do you want to play this? We can probably hit them before they arrive, if that's what you want."
The dark Aegis stared at the map silently for a moment, his face betraying no emotion. "Leave them for now." He eventually answered. "We'll ask Jin how he wants to play this first."
"Figures." Mikhail snorted, glancing up at Obrona. The winged Blade was currently pretending to lay down as she slowly orbited the map, kicking her feet in the air. "Zoom out, will you? Might as well check up on Jin's progress."
"Sure thing, blondie~!" She giggled, snapping her fingers. In an instant, the projected map exploded. The figure of Gormott shrank to a mere fraction of its size, while almost two dozen Titans of equal scale materialized in a ring, a visualization of the few remaining Continental Titans.
Between them, hundreds of smaller shapes coalesced, some nearly as large as the great Titans, while others were so small they could barely be rendered. There were so many of these, the smaller landmass Titans, that not even Mikhail, one of the oldest and best traveled of the group, could name even half of them.
A flash to one side of the map, between the humanoid form of Mor Ardain and the cancriform Continental Titan Matma, drew their attention. There was a dense cluster of hazy blue dots, representing a high concentration of unawakened Core Crystals. Although the man himself couldn't be seen in the projection, concealed as they all were from most forms of ether-based tracking, the fact that the returns from the crystals were quickly vanishing told them exactly who was there.
"Huh." Akhos muttered, looking at the position. The dots were no longer moving toward the render of the Indoline Titan, barely a fifth the size of the great ones around it. "Jin works fast. I wasn't expecting him to even catch up with the shipment for another half a day at least, much less have already finished with it."
"That's Jin for you." Mikhail shrugged. "If there's one thing he does well it's…" He trailed off as his eyes traced across the map, focusing on a medium-sized Titan some distance from Jin's position. "…Finish things… fast." He was silent for a moment, eyes locked on that distant point of the map, before speaking up again. "Obrona, could you zoom in on here?"
Malos raised an eyebrow. "Well I'll be damned. Something actually got you to shut your trap for a minute." He grinned, seeing the expressionless look on the Blade Eater's face. "Must be pretty juicy."
"Oooh~, better be careful, blondie~!" Obrona laughed. "Keep giving me orders like that, and people will think you're trying to poach me~! Oh, I wonder how poor Cress will feel when he learns you're trying to replace him!"
Even as she joked, the winged Blade adjusted the projection to show a closer view of the area in question. It was a theropod Titan, a third the size of Gormott, yet its legs were so short that only the top of the head was above sea level. Despite that, a flurry of dim red dots, with a smattering of bright blue among them, scurried around what little land was available, making it clear that the Titan was well-inhabited.
"What are we even supposed to be looking for?" Patroka grumbled, her eyes tracing around the dots. "All I see are a bunch of worthless humans and their pet Blades."
Akhos narrowed his eyes as he looked. Whatever was there, it was distinct enough that Mikhail had seen it from the zoomed-out perspective, yet…
There! It was a brief flicker, like a light poking through a cloth cover, but he caught it. Someone or something was trying to hide from Obrona's sight.
"Obrona, can you clear that distortion up?" He asked, staring intently at the point where the flicker had been.
"I can try." She replied, her normal childish disposition fading as she focused on the task.
The projection rippled as she attempted to compensate for whatever was attempting to conceal itself. The pale red dots mostly faded from view, but the handful of exceptions, mostly paired with a blue dot representing a Blade, grew brighter.
Suddenly, a large cluster of dots appeared near the crown of the Titan's head, so densely packed that Akhos couldn't fully distinguish them. What he could see, however, was the color of them: every single one was blending between red and blue with varying frequencies.
Patroka stared at the cluster with a conflicted look on her face. "Are… are those?" She asked hesitantly.
"Somebody's getting themselves in trouble~!" Obrona sang, lounging in the air.
Akhos felt his teeth grind as he looked up at the display. "Most likely." He growled. The Flesh Eater knew exactly what would cause that sort of reaction, and for them to be packed so tightly together told him what condition they were in.
"Malos." Mikhail spoke up, turning away from the projection. "I'm stepping out for a bit. Give me a buzz if Jin needs me for our next move."
The dark Aegis glanced over at him with an amused expression, watching as the Blade Eater walked out of the room. "Thinking of paying them a visit?" He said, gesturing at the projection.
Mikhail stopped for a moment. "Well, since Nia turned out to be a bust," he said, glancing over his shoulder, "I was thinking I'd try to do a little recruiting."
His eyes flicked up at the densely packed dots. They constantly switched between red and blue, unable to determine what they should be classified as.
Whether they should be considered human or Blade.
"After all, it looks like we might have a receptive audience."
Rex glanced across the horizon, one hand on the helm of the ship, as he checked his Cloud Sea compass to ensure they were on the proper heading.
After a moment, the boy nodded in satisfaction, snapping the compass closed as he locked the wheel in place. He bundled up his navigational charts into his satchel before turning to face the rest of the group.
Dromarch was sprawled out on the deck, soaking in the midday sun. A soft, contented rumble echoed from the tiger, his paws subtly twitching as he stretched his limbs. Nia was lying against his side, her arms crossed behind her head as she idly watched the clouds drift by.
Tora and Poppi were sitting against the ship's cabin, where the Nopon was adjusting the artificial Blade's arm joint. The mechanical girl watched patiently as her creator applied lubricant to the heavy-duty pin anchoring the joint in place.
"Okay, we should be all set." The boy said, wandering over to join them. "It'll be a few hours before we have to execute the next turn, but once we've made it, we'll be able to follow the southern trade routes the rest of the way to Voltis."
Nia lazily tilted her head in his direction. "What, then you won't even need to touch it?" She asked curiously. "Sheesh, that's convenient. I remember Mik having to constantly fuss with the Monoceros' helm."
He gave a smug grin. "That's the beauty of Titan ships!" He declared. "You don't need to hold their hands; once they're on the route, they can follow it themselves."
Azurda poked his head over the boy's shoulder. "What he means to say is that, yes, he will need to make occasional heading changes, but our Titan friend here will handle most of the navigation himself."
"That's pretty much what I said!" Rex grumbled before clearing his throat. "Anyway, that'll mean that we can keep sailing through the night, as long as I check the heading during my watch."
Nia grinned at him. "You know that means you don't get to take the first or last watch during the trip, right?" The girl commented offhandedly.
"Really?" The boy replied, giving the girl a level stare. "That's your first thought? 'Rex has responsibilities, so he doesn't get the best watch shifts?'"
She nodded in agreement. "Pretty much!"
Beneath her, Dromarch grumbled as he shifted around. "My Lady, please maintain some degree of self-respect." The tiger chided.
His Driver replied by elbowing him in the stomach as she reluctantly getting to her feet. "So, what're we going to do for the next couple of days?" Nia asked. "Because I'm sure you're well aware, but sitting around on a ship for days just waiting is boring as hell."
"Well…" Rex crossed his arms, thinking. "I'd like to get some training in, for starters. I didn't get the chance while we were in Torigoth for obvious reasons, but the sooner I can get past the whole 'burning myself trying anything fancy' stage of using ether like a Blade, the better."
Nia raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure that's the smartest way to spend your time?" She asked. "After how our last fight went, we all should be getting some combat practice in. Do you really want to be doing that while dealing with ether burns as well?"
"On the contrary, I suspect it would be beneficial to him." Azurda chimed in. "Consider how long you have been a Driver, I believe you are aware of how infrequently using a Blade Art actually ends a fight. If Rex is forced to use one in his current state, he will need to be able to continue to fight with the resulting burns. Best to acclimate him to the possibility now, under more controlled conditions."
Rex gave the Titan an uncertain look at his response but didn't deny his point. "I'd be lying if I said I was looking forward to it, but Gramps is right. I had to do it during the fight with Malos, and I nearly ended up having to do it against Morag. The next time we get jumped by someone, I'd rather be prepared, you know?"
The Gormotti girl stared at him skeptically. "Why do I get the impression this is just going to end with you recklessly overdoing it?" She asked.
"Because you've been around him long enough to know what he's like." Azurda replied, pleased that he wasn't the only one present willing to call the boy out.
"I'm not that bad." Rex retorted, turning his chin up from the both of them.
Nia snorted. "And I'm the Queen of Alrest." The girl replied sarcastically. Closing her eyes, she let out a defeated sigh. "Okay, fine. I get the point." A dangerous glint entered her eyes as she looked over at the two of them. "However, as the healer of the group, I am going to make sure you're not overdoing it, and if I say to stop, you listen. Understood?"
Rex felt a spike of dread run down his spine at her glare. At that moment, she had the exact same aura as Auntie Corrine did the rare few times she had needed to scold him. All of a sudden, he understood exactly why Azurda had thought the girl was similar to her.
"I got it, I got it!" He replied with a laugh, pushing the feeling aside. "Sheesh, you're as bad as Gramps sometimes."
Before she could reply, a loud click echoed from beside them, accompanied by an excited voice. "All done!" Tora exclaimed as he finished replacing the cover plate for Poppi's elbow joint.
The artificial Blade stood up, examining the range of motion of her arm. "Poppi detect 3.47% reduction in hydraulic pressure required to bend elbow!" She dutifully reported to her creator. "Maintenance successful!"
"Excellent! Tora worried field repair kit not pass muster! Would be terrible if could not repair Poppi while away from Lab!" The Nopon smiled, watching her run the joint through a range of motions.
Rex looked over at him. "Hey Tora, are you going to join in?" He asked.
"Of course!" Tora chirped. "Tora want learn to fight better!" His expression fell as he recalled the events of the last few days. "Tora not put good showing in fights so far. Need get better if Tora pull own weight!"
Poppi finished testing her repaired elbow, turning to look at the two. "Poppi want join in too." She requested, a serious look on her face. "Poppi strong, but combat skills basic; was thrown around too too many times during last fight. Poppi not able to help Masterpon if defeated so easily.
"It sounds like everyone has something they need to work on." Azurda noted before turning his gaze over to Nia and Dromarch. "Well, aside from the two of them."
Dromarch lazily cracked an eye lid open. "I believe my own skills are sufficient for the time being." The tiger stated, shifting slightly to allow the sun to catch a larger amount of the surface of his body.
"Really, Dromarch?" His Driver pressed. "There's nothing you think you need?"
"No, my Lady." He insisted. "For the time being, I believe I am perfectly fine."
His insistence was punctuated by a long, loud growl from his stomach. Everyone on deck froze, their eyes immediately locking on to the visibly mortified tiger.
"…I believe I am fine combat-wise." He amended, covering his muzzle with a paw.
Nia laughed at his reaction. "Alright, you big furball." She chucked affectionately. "Maybe we should have lunch before we start. Use the break to figure out what we all need to work on."
Her suggestion was met with agreement, seeing as it had been several hours since breakfast by that point. As such, the group quickly retreated into the cabin to dole out their provisions.
In order to reduce the amount of mess that they would be required to actually clean up before arriving at Voltis, they had decided to stick with meals that required minimal preparation. As such, it was only a few minutes later that they returned to the deck to enjoy their meal in the clear weather.
"So, Tora, what would you say is the skill you need the most work with at the moment?" Azurda probed between bites of a pollen orb Umon had generously donated. "I was unable to catch most of your battle with that water Blade, but based on your showing against the Special Inquisitor, your basic combat skills are at the least serviceable."
"Mmmm…" The Nopon pondered, scratching his chin thoughtfully with a wing. "If Tora had to say, weakest combat skill of Tora is Arts."
Azurda nodded. "I can understand why that would be an issue. You're self-trained, are you not?"
"Tora is." He confirmed. "Dadapon always tell Tora that brain not work at maximum efficiency if body not healthy enough to hold, so when Tora start working on Poppi, Tora began training with potential weapon loadouts as exercise." The Nopon gave Azurda an embarrassed look. "Tora not exactly enjoy exercise, but training with weapons give Tora insight into how to improve loadouts."
"But that training still did nothing to teach you how to use Arts." The Titan concluded. "That is a very common issue with Driver aspirants, moreso now than in the past."
Nia glanced over at them. "Why is it more of a problem now?" She asked, curious.
He shrugged. "A few reasons. For one, Drivers are more common now than they used to be." The Titan explained, taking a bite of the pollen orb. "Apparently the Praetorium worked out a way to make Core Crystals less… I supposed you could say, 'discerning' about Driver aptitude?"
Azurda scratched his chin, thinking. "I'm not entirely sure of how it works, but that's ostensibly the reason they took such control over the Core Crystal trade; even the large nations like Mor Ardain and Uraya are willing to send their Core Crystal stocks off to Indol, because whatever this 'cleansing' process they do is, the cores that undergo it have a higher resonance success rate for new Drivers."
"Of course." Nia grumbled. "Because if anything is going to make the great powers look the other way, it's promising them more potential Drivers."
"Exactly." Azurda agreed. "That also has to do with the other reason."
Gesturing at Rex, he continued. "You see, back in the days before the cleansing process, Drivers were far rarer, but the niche that they fill in armed forces still needed just as many of them as they do today."
"Tora see first-wing how eager Ardainians are for Drivers." The Nopon added, crossing his wings. "Soldiers always out in Torigoth square, recruiting maybe-Drivers every day!"
"And it was even worse back then, when you had maybe a fifth as many potential Drivers as now running about." Azurda continued. "As such, it was common for many countries to teach potential recruits how to use ether, often before even granting them the chance to test their luck resonating with a Core Crystal. Those few with the aptitude were able to adjust to fighting as a Driver far faster than those without the experience, while those without aptitude were still able to use basic Arts and techniques."
Rex tilted his head. "That seems like a benefit, though. Why did they stop teaching ether usage? You taught me, after all, and it wasn't that difficult to pick up."
He earned a glare from Azurda. "Because of the time investment." The Titan responded. "You picked it up far easier than most would, and it still took years for you to be able to do more than merely feel the ether in the air. I also began teaching you when you were young, which is an advantage few could afford."
The Titan shook his head. "Ultimately, once the Praetorium's cleansing process began increasing the pool of potential Drivers, training candidates to manipulate ether fell out of practice in most countries. The time investment was just too steep. Only Mor Ardain still continues the practice, and even then only within the nobility, where everyone is expected to be a Driver anyway."
Nia could see where he had been going with this before meandering off into the history lesson. "So as a result, most Drivers these days start out not knowing how to properly use Arts." She concluded.
It wasn't a problem that she had ever encountered, but then, she had also been born with the knowledge already in her head. But comparing Tora, who had been a decent normal fighter boosted up to Driver-level strength by Poppi to Rex, who had been able to fight a Malos that was apparently weakened on a relatively even footing just minutes after being given his Core Crystal, Nia could see the benefit.
"Precisely." Azurda smiled. "Fortunately, I am something of an expert at teaching Arts, so I would be more than happy to assist young Tora here."
"Really-truly!?" Tora exclaimed, his eyes shimmering as he stared at the diminutive Titan.
The Gormotti girl gave the Titan a skeptical look. "Not to doubt you, but are you going to need some help?" She asked, looking between the two.
Azurda drew in a breath, ready to retort, when Rex deftly stepped in and shut him down. "He's up for it." The boy stated, not even the slightest bit of doubt in his expression. "I told you before that he's the one that trained me, remember?"
"You're hardly the first, either." The Titan muttered under his breath.
Ignoring him, Rex continued. "So, just let him work his magic with Tora. I think you'll be surprised by the results."
The Titan chuckled on his shoulder. "Don't think that I'll be leaving you out of this either, my boy. You've taken on quite the burden, and I plan to make sure you'll be able to live long enough to see it through."
Rex just grinned. "Bring it on, Gramps! I'll take whatever you can throw at me."
Nia had the sinking suspicion that the Titan was going to try his best to make the boy regret those words.
Author's Notes
Fun fact about this chapter! It was actually written after I had already written Chapter 18. Originally, the plan was for there to be a timeskip straight to the party arriving at Voltis, but as I was finishing the chapter off, I felt that I should actually show them leaving Gormott and that Nia convincing Poppi to keep her secret should be shown onscreen, so I decided to make a chapter out of those.
The Torna scene was an interesting side-effect of this change, because while it was conceived fairly early in my script of the Tadbir arc, it was actually dropped in the later versions of the script. When I decided to actually show the beginning of the trip to Voltis however, it became a natural scene to add, as it provides additional setup for the plot of the arc. So, the scene was given a chance to live once more.
Anyway, because I'm providing the party with some in-universe downtime to cool off from the events of the Gormott arc, the next chapter will be a timeskip to their arrival on Voltis. Who else makes an appearance, though? Well, You'll just have to stay tuned for that.
