A Past Life of Noah and Mio

by OakleyRoad

War between Keves and Agnus rages on, but two soldiers by the names of Noah and Mio make the bold choice to desert the fight. Questioning their existence, they roam Aionios in search of answers about themselves and the cruel world in which they live. Surely, there's a place for people like them who simply wish to enjoy what precious time they have left. Contains spoilers.

10. The Bigger Picture

Chapter 10 "The Bigger Picture"

A new, late-summer's day had begun, but Mio's mood was hardly sunny. Nothing felt right to her while she sat solemnly on a boulder overlooking the rest of Ribbi Flats, reflecting on her recent choices. After accepting Noah's offer to help her avert her homecoming, she suddenly found herself in the aid and company of a mysterious third party. The City folks' sudden commitment to her cause couldn't possibly be genuine, or so she kept telling herself.

"There you are," her travel partner approached from behind, having awoken a minute prior. "Good morning."

"Huh?" she swiveled around slowly. "Oh, right… mornin'."

"Mio?" he sensed her disquietude through his grogginess. "Is everything okay?"

"I don't know," the contemplative Agnian stuck her lower lip at him. "Got a lot on my mind right now."

"I see," the pacifist stretched his arms. "Did you sleep well at least?"

"Did you?" Mio posed the same question back to him in response.

"Except for when you backhanded me last night," he pointed to his forehead, "yeah, I slept okay."

"I hit you?" her hands came together over her chest.

"It's fine," a sly grin grew on his face. "It doesn't hurt… a-anymore."

"Anymore?" she repeated with persistent curiosity.

"I'm joking," Noah relinquished his meager attempt at humor, seeing her adverse reaction. "You didn't actually hurt me."

"Mmph… you oaf," her brows came down again, unamused and slightly embarrassed. "How will you expect me to respond when you get hurt for real?"

"I'm sorry," the ninth-termer was fully awake now. "I thought a little levity might help."

"Thanks for trying, I guess," his running mate momentarily downturned her sights to his feet.

"So, what's bothering you?" he circled back to the start of their chat.

"Isn't it obvious?" Mio crossed her arms, peering over his shoulder to their temporary campmates. "These people freak me out."

"Do they?" the ponytailed Kevesi stole a glance at them. "They've been nothing but friendly and helpful to us since we met them."

"Precisely," her voice quieted down to a loud whisper. "It's… too convenient."

"You don't think we just got lucky?" Noah crossed his arms too, scooting closer to her.

"Lucky?" the zephyr could scarcely believe that he'd suggest it. "Are you that gullible?"

"Are you that untrusting?" he counterargued, slightly affronted by her insinuation.

"I trusted you, didn't I?" Mio lifted herself off the boulder, now standing face-to-face with him.

"Do you not trust me now?" his eyes uneasily locked onto hers, something which he normally enjoyed.

"I trust you way more than I trust them," her answer wasn't totally comforting. "I'm having second thoughts about Emmet's offer."

"Why?" the pacifist inquired, now fully grimacing himself. "They claim our goals are the same."

"How do we know that for sure?" the tenth-termer continued to doubt, almost pugnaciously.

"We don't know for sure," Noah backstepped to give her space, "but if anything goes awry, we've got each other's backs, right?"

"Right," she sighed, her agreement to this question reassuring the concerned Kevesi.

"Bowan and the others will defend you against anything, too," he brought up her allies for good measure.

"Probably," her tone exuded marginally less confidence. "Speaking of whom, he contacted me earlier. They made it to Colony Phi, so I told them to put in a good word for you."

"Ah, good to know," the swordfighter had nearly forgotten about their upcoming trek into Agnian territory. "Did you tell them about our plan?"

"No, and I didn't mention our strange campmates either," Mio tensed up again, feeling the weight of her intersecting worries. "I can't risk Bowan getting the commander involved. Things are already complicated enou-"

"Noah! Mio!" The voice of Caren interrupted what was left of the soldiers' conversation.

"Huh?" the ninth-termer spun around to find the brunette waving to them.

"Emmet, Randol, and I are going hunting," she informed them, already geared up. "We know you've got some climbing to do, but you're welcome to stay for breakfast."

"Yeah!" Randol, the hatted gunner tightened his straps. "Can't scale the cliffs on an empty stomach, can you?"

"Oh, uh… yeah, we won't turn down another meal," Noah answered after receiving a quick nod from Mio.

"Tepolo guard camp from random freeloaders!" the Nopon of the group hopped energetically. "Tirkins, likely!"

"Right, we'll return soon," Emmet led his two human cohorts away to commence their morning run. Meanwhile, Tepolo prepared the campfire for whatever they might bring back, shooting the morning breeze with Noah until then. By the end of the hour, a couple of skwarors had been successfully hunted, cooked, and served to the party of six.

"I must say, the cooking you guys have done for us has been exceptional," the ponytailed Kevesi complimented his hosts. "You can do just as much as a colony's canteen with far less cookware."

"Thanks," the lightly stubbled man raised a flask with a toothy grin. "The City taught us well."

"Tepolo know cleaning dishes better than filling them," the blue-furred camper remarked proudly.

"There's plenty to learn in the City," Caren amplified her partner's sentiment, "from woodcarving to engineering to painting…"

"You have time for all of that?" the tenth-termer felt compelled to ask.

"Yes, well… whenever Moebius doesn't raid us, that is," the swordswoman reeled in her enthusiasm. "Our military protects us so we can enjoy such pleasures, not to mention life in general."

"Raid you?" the pacifist recoiled at the conversation's sudden, serious turn.

"We City folk are at war with Moebius the way Keves is at war with Agnus," Emmet compared their two conflicts while he stood over the dwindling campfire.

"But why?" Mio asked despite remaining dubious about her hosts' assertations.

"Like we told you yesterday, Moebius is the reason why you fight," his more outspoken mate answered instead. "The life which you take is their fuel."

"You'd also said your City was built by people like Mio and myself," Noah referenced another loaded quote of theirs, "yet you're allegedly not bound to any Flame Clock."

"All the more reason why Moebius wants us erased," Randol carried on while Emmet and Tepolo began to deconstruct their camp. "We City folk are rebels to their system. Not only do our lives provide no sustenance to them, but also we try to get you soldiers to join us whenever we can."

"Most of our recruits come from the Cadensia colonies." Caren easily read the uneasiness on Mio's face like she'd done yesterday. "Say, when you two are done with your mission, you should check out the City."

"Your City…" the skeptical Agnian slowly shook her head, "it just doesn't sound real."

"Understandable," the brunette tried to be patient with her. "You'll believe it if you see it."

"I don't know about that," Mio glanced to Noah who merely shrugged his shoulders. "Right now, I just want to be free from my consul's death grip."

"Your homecoming, huh?" Caren decoded her guest's words. "So, your consul's one of those types?"

"I should caution you, though," the gunner interjected. "Even if you defeat your consul, there's a chance another one will take over, afterwards." An uncomfortable lull numbed the campsite following his warning, both soldiers feeling reticent, forlorn. For the moment, the only noises left were those of Emmet and Tepolo packing in the background.

"Well… whatever challenges lie ahead, we'll be ready for them," the steadfast Kevesi gave a careful look of confidence to his running mate. "We'll protect each other to the best of our abilities."

"Right, and I think I'm ready to leave now," the moonblades-wielder rose, calling an end to their incidental gathering.

"New friends leaving already?" Tepolo hurried back upon hearing her declaration of departure.

"We are," she nodded to him before returning to his human cohorts. "Listen, I'm sorry I've been testy, but I do appreciate your hospitality."

"Yeah, thanks again for everything you've done for us," her travel partner stood as well, "especially for calling in your friends to help us down the line."

"Oh, we're just as grateful," the swordswoman insisted with a partially repressed smile. By now, everyone was on their feet while the packing continued behind them. "It isn't every day we get to meet a couple of soldiers who've already opposed Moebius."

"Indeeds!" the furball flapped his wings. "It great moment in book of Tepolo!"

"The best of luck ahead," Randol tipped his hat to his guests. "We'd offer you a lift to Colony Rho, but our ride dropped us off here before taking another collection team to Aetia."

"That's a bit unfortunate for Mio and myself," Noah lamented with an intimidated, upturned gaze towards the mountain.

"Sorry, mate," the gunner stopped short of grinning. "As for us, we have to return to our task."

"We've been on quite the respite, haven't we?" Caren tapped her chin at the realization. "I'd better help Emmet pack."

"Already done," the lancer rejoined the group, wiping his hands.

"Really? You're a gem, hon'." The brunette lowered his head to plant her lips on his forehead, a gesture which completely befuddled the two soldiers.

"Tepolo help pack, too!" Tepolo butted in, pluckily.

"Sorry, you're not getting a kiss from me," her face was smug while she jokingly rebuffed him.

"Meh?!" the winged camper bobbled erratically. "Was not asking for such thing! Only wanted recogni-"

"Noah, Mio, it's been fun, at least on our end," Emmet approached them with a tiny container in hand. "Here, take some Cadensia greens with you."

"Thanks," the ninth-termer squeezed it into his crossbody bag which wasn't that much larger.

"Should you decide to come to the City, we hope you'll pay us a visit," Caren offered with an arm around her stubbled partner.

"We may consider it if the situation permits," the swordfighter responded cordially but noncommittally. "Farewell."

With the goodbyes delivered from both sides, the party of six split back into their original formations to resume their separate journeys. For Noah and Mio, the path from which they'd initially strayed led them straight into the base of the cliff. There were several precipices, each one with an old, climbing contraption fastened to the edge.

"These seem sturdy enough," Mio determined after tugging on the already extended ladder, "though we'll have to step carefully with the vines growin' on 'em."

"Watch our footing, yeah?" the ponytailed soldier studied the vertical route before them. "Will you be okay with your shoulder?"

"Only one way to find out," she latched onto the ladder first, feeling slight strain. "We have to press on. We've wasted enough time already."

"Don't overdo it," her travel partner hopped on after her. "Let me know if you think you're gonna fall."

"If I fall, you're tumbling down with me," the cat-eared Agnian forewarned him in minimal jest.

"Still, please pace yourself," he advised her back, peering around to ensure that their way was clear.

As it turned out, Noah and Mio spent the entire day climbing, the latter requiring a few breaks along the way. The invasive overgrowth and a few broken or missing sidepieces of the ladders made for a treacherous ascension, but the two soldiers remained steady with every step. By the time they reached Conqueror's Peak of Rae-Bel Tableland, they were both rather stiff in the joints. The sun had already set, so their new, elevated surroundings were covered in darkness while they set their sights southwestward.

"We made it… to the top," Noah declared victoriously, though the climb had left him quite winded. "How are you feeling, Mio?"

"I've been better…" she huffed too, barely able to stand without holding onto him. "It was bad enough with my shoulder. Now my legs are cramping up."

"Same here," the pacifist felt the throbbing in his muscles. "We need to find… a place to rest for the night."

"Let's see… ow," Mio winced upon raising her hand to activate her Iris, inciting a sympathetic whimper from her travel partner. "There should be a lake nearby. I'd like to camp there."

"I think I hear a hint of the water," he cupped his ear, steadying his breathing. "But can you make it?"

"I'll try," his running mate tapped her temple again before letting her arm fall limp at her side.

"Alright then." The gentle swordsman wrapped an arm around her back to help her along, soon feeling her do the same for him.

Their steps were short and slow now, but it would only be a half hour more until they made it to the gravelly shores of Riez Tarn. The grand body of water sat snuggly against the mountain whose peak towered well above the plateau. Evidently, someone else had recently used it for a resting spot too, as evidenced by a dormant campfire on the bank.

"It doesn't look like it's been sitting here for too long," Noah observed the burnt tips of the thin logs. "Could this have been left behind by your allies?"

"Could be," she considered the possibility, still attached to her travel partner. "Bowan did mention they'd stayed by this lake."

"Makes sense, given the climb," the weary Kevesi glanced around for a good place to sit.

"Come on," her eyes were on the moonlit water, "I want to dip my feet in."

"That's not such a bad idea," he concurred as they hobbled closer to the lake. After gingerly lowering themselves to a rock with barely enough sitting space, the two soldiers removed their footwear and dangled their tired legs over the edge. The water hadn't completely cooled from the daytime heat, its surface coming just past their ankles.

"Ah…" Mio exhaled satisfactorily while the lake's ripples teased and soothed her. "I so need this."

"You and me, both." Leaning back on his arms, Noah gazed upwards where a few clouds blemished the otherwise starry sky.

"Spark, I'm about as sweaty as I was in the desert," the tenth-termer groused, feeling the dampness of her shirt.

"Well, it was a strenuous climb," the ponytailed soldier soon became aware of his own sweat.

"I don't think I would've made it without you," the zephyr tugged at the rolled-up legs of her pants.

"Why?" he idly watched her fidget around. "It's not like I helped you or anything."

"I might've crumbled after reaching the top," she reckoned, closing her eyes. "Besides, I would've been so lonely, coming all this way without you or the others."

"You know, that's not the first time you've said something like that," his remark incited a joyless chuckle from her.

"I used to be so independent," Mio started to confide in him with a hint of self-pity coloring her tone, "but ever since you got me thinking about fading away peacefully, I-I've…"

"I hear you," he caught her words before they withered away completely. "I'm sorry."

"What're you apologizing for?" her eyes shot back open, facing him quizzically. "It's a… much more pleasant thought than that of a homecoming."

"True." Now it was Noah's turn to slip into a reflective state. "To be honest, I never really thought about my homecoming, but maybe that's due to the leniency of my past colonies."

"Lucky," the disconsolate Agnian scoffed, unironically. "Even with you by my side, I'm still worried about battling my consul."

"Even with reinforcements?" the ninth-termer tilted his head at her.

"Hard for me to trust people we haven't even met yet," his running mate grumbled, referencing the City folk with whom they were expected to align on the Urayan Trail. "I still don't know how to feel about Emmet's group."

"But in the end, you have to admit they treated us well," he refused to vilipend their previous hosts.

"They did," Mio agreed, with little deliberation this time. "However, the stories they spun were… too much for me to handle, especially this whole Moebius thing."

"As shocked as I was to hear it at first, deep down I knew there was more going on with the war between Keves and Agnus." The younger soldier of the two adjusted to a more contemplative posture, bringing the tips of his fingers together. Although he'd found his former campmates' discourse enlightening, it was a troubling, weighty matter, nonetheless.

"Spark it all…" the tyrannized Agnian clenched her fists.

"Mio?" he snapped back to attention.

"If it's true that my consul is just one of many monsters who seek to control us, then…" the despair in her trailing voice was as brooding as the clouds building overhead.

"It's a lot more complex than what we'd planned for," Noah knew exactly where her mind was heading, "now that we have a grasp of the bigger picture."

"What if I'm never free?" she started to fret, her ears wilting by the second. "All I want is to leave this wretched world behind… without pain or fear…"

"A r-respectable wish for sure…" the ponytailed soldier felt his mouth run dry upon hearing her talk in such a way. "My promise to support you hasn't wavered."

"I didn't say it was," Mio saw the concern in his eyes, despite the darkness. "I'm just… frustrated."

"So am I," his foot lightly brushed against hers in the water. "On the bright side, it sounds like we're not the only ones who've felt this way."

"You mean when Emmet said the City was built by people like us?" she recalled her stubbled host's equivocal claim.

"Yes," the swordfighter sensed the slightest break in the tension, or so he hoped. "Caren really wants us to go there after we're done with Colony Rho."

"We can't, or at least I can't while my Flame Clock runs low," the tenth-termer reminded him of the other tie which bound her. "Assuming we come out on top, I don't think I could just abandon Bowan and the others."

"What if you all transferred to Colony Phi?" Noah hit upon an idea, surprised that he hadn't thought of it earlier.

"My consul has never let anyone transfer out," Mio shot it down in a single, dejected breath. "All she does is take the best soldiers from other Agnian colonies so we can kill Kevesis at the highest efficiency."

"Reminds me of my own consul's agenda," his arms were crossed. "Now I'm really curious to know if they conspired."

"It wouldn't make sense for her, unless she truly thought we'd sweep you guys in the desert," the abject Agnian speculated disbelievingly. "She's the one who ordered us to retaliate, twice."

"That's… rough," the ninth-termer put it succinctly. "Whether or not she intended it, your consul sent you guys to be slaughtered by my colony."

"The terrain was to your advantage," his running mate hadn't forgotten what he'd told her during their first encounter. "My legs were as achy then as they are now."

"Has the water helped at all?" he checked with her, the conversation returning to the present.

"My ankles feel better, but everything else still hurts." As she spoke, her sights drifted up the hill towards the next stop on her personal itinerary. "Ugh… can't wait to arrive in Colony Phi. Moraine's a good healer."

"Hang on, are we actually going there?" Noah rose abruptly, nearly slipping on the smooth, river stones beneath his submerged feet. "I don't think we ever decided on that."

"Bowan wants me to go in," the moonblades-wielder remained still despite his movements. "Since I told them to vouch for you, the commander should already be aware."

"Uh-huh…" the unbalanced Kevesi trudged for the shore, "and you have faith in this commander's judgment?"

"He was the closest thing I had to a friend there," Mio reminisced about her early days, though with hardly a note of fondness.

"So, if I accompany you to Colony Phi, what'll they do to me?" her travel partner asked her plainly. "Did Bowan give any specifics?"

"He said they'll be nonviolent if you are, too," she rotated on the rock to face him again, lifting her feet out of the water as well. "I'll prioritize your safety regardless of how they react."

"Okay," the pacifist knelt by the partially charred logs, "I can trust you on that." As he proceeded to rekindle the campfire, he became loosely aware of the role reversal occurring between them. At least, that seemed to be the case regarding the more immediate matters at hand.

After drying themselves off and devouring the salad which Emmet had packed for them, Noah and Mio found their spots to settle for the night. Although they no longer had a blanket on which to lay, the exhaustion from their climb sent them to into a quick and easy slumber.

The following morning, however, the two soldiers were awoken by a tickling spray of precipitation on their now contorting faces. The clouds that'd been gathering above had finally revealed their intentions with a downpour that was all but imminent.

"For spark's sake!" Noah wiped his face with the back of his equally wet hand.

"It snuck up on us," Mio scrambled to her feet, feeling yesterday's aches nagging in her legs.

"Summer rains tend to do that," he tucked his crossbody bag under his uniform, "but this is the first time I've been caught out."

"It rains all the time in Pentelas," she swiftly roved past him. "Come on, we ought to get to Colony Phi before it gets worse."

"R-right behind you…" There was hesitation in his voice but not in his actions as the two damp soldiers crossed the thinnest part of the lake's stream. "Er… do you know where to go?"

"This path should lead us to the entrance," her Iris lit up with a map of the area. "Keep an eye out for a tunnel."

"I will…" her travel partner kept pace, though the ground became muddier by the second.

Lomi Hill was by no means steep, but the inclement weather made it a hazardous jaunt, nonetheless. By the time Noah and Mio passed below a ridge adorned with saffronia shrubs, the rain had become torrential enough to enshroud the rising land in a wafting mist. However, it wouldn't be long before they caught a glimpse of what appeared to be ether lights in the distance. In fact, the telltale yellow glow gave away to whom they belonged.

"Agnian troops," the tenth-termer sputtered in cautious relief. "We've just about rea-"

"Halt!" a stern shout accompanied one of the now moving lights. Indeed, it was a Colony Phi patroller with a sharpshooter Blade aimed and ready. Seconds later, three more similarly classed soldiers arrived with theirs pointed as well.

"Two individuals! An Agnian and a Kevesi!" One of the accompanying soldiers slowly circled around the accosted duo, paying particular attention to Noah.

"My name is Mio," her empty palms were displayed. "The Kevesi and I have arrangements with Colony Phi."

"Yes, we've been expecting you," the first patroller responded nonthreateningly to her. "Please step aside so we may take the enemy into our custody."

"Huh?" No sooner had she turned to face her travel partner than the other three soldiers toppled him to the ground. "Wait, what're you doing?!"

"Following the commander's orders," the soldier in charge eyed her through their visor.

"Don't hurt him!" the cat-eared Agnian pleaded in panic. "He saved my life! He freed our compatriots!"

"We've heard these claims before, but still we must search him." The rearguard kept their Blade pointed at Noah while the two unspeaking patrollers inspected his bag. Once satisfied, they forcibly pulled him up by the wrists, the compliant Kevesi now hopelessly covered in mud from their roughhousing.

"Mio, please come with us," the first patroller prepared to lead the way.

"I was promised you wouldn't hurt him," her hands twitched with the impulse to summon her Blade.

"I-I'm not hurt," Noah tried bravely to assure her, though his newly disheveled state had the opposite effect.

"As long as he cooperates, we'll have no issues," the soldier in front marched the group towards the tunnel's entrance. "Now then, Colony Phi awaits."