Before anyone continues on, I really do recommend you play at least up to chapter 7, as this little story does have lowkey spoilers and a high key spoiler from the middle to last few chapters. I'm not that good with story writing but I'll try my best. Coffee with Milk and All You Guys will be mentioned. If you know, you know. If not, please turn away from this.
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For Rex, things unknowingly have been... interesting for him lately. When he and the gang rescued Pyra from Jin and Malos, he magically earned himself a new set of armor seemingly fitted for him when he awoken the true power of Pheuma.
This armor moved just as freely as he ever could with his old salvager suit, despite the clunky looking and sharp protrusions jetting out from almost every angle. His new helmet never caught his nose when he closed it. The armor was breathable yet insulated, it kept him warm in the coldest places in Tantal and cool in the hottest area of Mor Ardain. His new armor felt like a part of him. In a way, to him it felt like a second skin, like he was born to be in it, like if he existed already wearing the armor of the master driver.
Like how a Blade is born with their clothes.
Making a stop in the city of Alba Cavanich after a hard battle with an armored beast that would terrorize the lower area leading to the Old Factory, the Aegis Gang had found themselves low on resources but high in gold. The new strategy of B.T.L.S they found to make the monsters drop things from gold to items seemed to work wonders on the old bank. Inside the halls of Jakob's inn, a room held 3 men(?) who found themselves in a 3 way laze fest.
"Come on, chap, you go do it! You know how hard it is on the ol' back to launch a beast that size with a sword as big as yours truly?!" A man with hair as white as snow said, laying belly down on his bed, barely being able to point his finger at the one who still had the strength to stand, let alone keep his head up.
The chap in question, however, knew he himself was still feeling jumpy as a brog but kept it hidden. It was hard to explain, but he could sense something would be off if he went down there, but he couldn't really pin point why. "Zeke, come on, I'm feeling just as tired as you are. Why can't we just send Tora to do it, I'm sure he wouldn't mind it, Architect knows he needs the exercise." The lad feigned exhaustion as he sat in a chair and places his head in his hand. Thanks to his connection with the Aegis, he recovered just as fast as a Blade would.
A furry heap of flesh and fabric had made a slight jitter upon hearing those words. "MEH-MEH! TORA TIRED, NOT DEAF! Tora's ears are hurty-hurty from all the swinging he and Poppi did against that monster. Let Tora rest... Rex-Rex sound like he still have pep in step."
Biting his tongue, the man now known as Rex had tried to think of an excuse. "I couldn't possibly carry back everything alone, guys, simple as that. If I went alone, I'd have to take multiple trips."
Zeke retorted angrily, using the last bit of his strength to yell at him, "As the girls, damn it!" With that, he went face down into the comforter of his bed, a heavy snore being muffled by it.
Seeing as he lost this fight, Rex had no choice but to get up from his chair as he left the room and closed the door to let his mates catch some much needed sleep. As he made his way to the girls' room one floor below to ask for assistance, it didn't occur to him the time it exactly was. Knocking on the door was a sight that if he didn't become accustomed to would burn his retina, the strongest Blade in the empire, Brighid.
"Sir Rex, need I remind you it is currently 4:25 AM? Lady Morag must get her 8 hours in order to fight at her best. Is there something important that requires her audience?" The curvaceous fire Blade looked down at him, with eyes closed yet a piercing gaze still being able to be felt.
Trying to look down as he would be face to face with some things that made his face light with a blush if he looked up, he spoke a few words. "We're running low on things in the guys' room, Zeke and Tora are out of commission for awhile, and I was wondering if-"
"If you would have Morag wake up to assist you. As stated, she needs her rest." Brighid said, looking back real quick to make sure her driver did not wake up from their conversation.
"Oh... What about-" Rex was cut off by the fire Blade again. "Poppi is recharging, and Nia still feels uncomfortable being seen as her true self in public abit. I'd recommend asking Mythra, but I'd rather not have a reenactment of the last time we woke her up from her rest after one of your special monster fights."
Last time that happened, they had to pay for the glasses and treatments of those who were not immune to the blinding lights of Mythra's sleep deprived tantrum.
Feeling defeated, Rex turned with a sigh as he made his way to the stairs, unknown to him a hit of pity had hit Brighid's chest. He DID wield her weapon now and again, so she felt somewhat obligated to help him. "Perhaps I could get Newt to guard Lady Morag. while I go help... Come along, Sir Rex, the quicker we are, the better." Catching up to him and resting her hand on his shoulder, they made their way down to the shops.
Out of earshot, however, many of the people of Alva were caught off guard with amazement and wonder as they never thought they would see it; the Jewel of Mor Ardain with...
"Another blade? I'd never thought I'd see the day the Inquisitor would take upon another Blade seriously other than the Jewel. Looks like she's chaperoning him around the city."
"He looks so cute! It looks like Ms. Bridgid has herself a little brother!"
"Dont look like much... You reckon the lad's weapon is Attack or Healer based?"
"My my... wouldn't mind having that Blade in my party... could probably show my other 2 Blades a thing or 3."
"Rumor was the Special Inquisitor was preparing a Blade for the strongest soldier in the army. My money's that's the Blade, must be crazy strong if it's a gift to the strongest."
As the duo made their way to the shopping district of Alva, it didn't help that Rex would constantly ask Brighid for directions of the better quality shops, as if he never seen the place. Usually Morag would take care of groceries and such whenever they were there as she knew it like the back of her hand, and he would just find whatever would catch his eye first no matter the price.
"Easy, Rex. Alba Cavanich doesn't have any better or worse. Every export we have is best of it's quality. Come now, let us hurry, Lady Morag could wake any time soon." Brighid grabbed the hand on the young boy and led him to the shop where she knew he could get the things he needed.
Nearby shopkeepers could only watch as their beliefs of the lad being pulled by the Jewel were pretty much cemented. They could see his core shining from the light of the rising sun just as much as they could see Brighid's. No doubt, this was a Blade recently awoken by Morag herself.
As the duo made their way to a stand, Rex looked around as he packed bags full of items that he and the guys would need as Brighid helped gather a few more bags, with abit saved for Lady Morag when she wakes. Going up to the shopkeep, Rex readied himself as he reached for his gold pack, which happened to be near the Aegis on his back as he was stopped by the man.
"N-no need to pay, Sir Blade! Any Blade who is bound with Lady Morag is an honor to meet up close and personal! Oh, what the kids will say when they find out I met BOTH of the Blades of The Inquisitor, theyll be so happy!" The shopkeep bowed his head as he felt like was on top of the world.
"W-wait, what? What do you mean by that?" Rex, however, didnt specify on what HE meant when he asked that. Brighid, however, felt a small smile grow on her face.
The shopkeep stood tall. "S-sorry, sir, I did not mean to confuse you, please do not let your Driver know I confused you! Take as much as you both and she need, it is nothing to worry about!"
Rex felt himself be more caught off guard. "Sir, please, calm down! What do you-" He was silenced as many guards came up to surround him and the shopkeep.
"Lady Brighid! Sir Gem! Was this shopkeeper causing a ruckus? Please, allow us to take care of this diligently in the name of the empire!" As the guards began to surround the shopkeeper, Brighid walked up and put her hands on Rex's shoulders.
"Stand down, everyone. Simply put, my friend here was confused and caught off guard. He's new to this world again in a sense, barely awoken not too long ago, so this is all new to him. Please, allow us to take our things and go." It took all of Brighid's inner strength to not bust out laughing as she kept a stern face. "Lady Morag is waiting for us to return. If it would not be too much trouble, we plan to pick up 2 Chips for myself and the new Blade of the Empire, the Gem of Mor Ardain, after we get our things. Please excuse us." Showing off her authority, she handed Rex some of the bags and took her own as she lead the confused boy...
Soon being followed by a small group of soldiers as they made it their temporary job to escort the duo.
Picking up 2 Core Chips to make it more believable, Brighid used one on herself and "used" one on Rex by more hiding it in a gap of his armor. "Doesnt that feel wonderful, Rexos? Now let's head back." She found herself smiling as she made up the name fit for a Blade that would be believable.
Upon their return to the Inn, the marketplace was ablaze with chatter of what they assumed was the true name of the 'Blade' accompanying the Jewel of Mor Ardain.
"Rexos, the Gem of Mor Ardain, and Brigid, the Jewel of Mor Ardain... Truly, we are honored our Inquisitor has such loyal Blades!"
"With those 2 at her side, no evil shall stand in her way..."
"One day I'll get the honor of wielding 2 Blades as cool as the Inquisitor's, mark my words, daddy!"
In the safety of the Inn's walls, in a room Brighid and Rex took for just a moment to gather their thoughts of what just happened, she could not stifle her laughter much longer. "Looks like Lady Morag has a 'new loyal Blade', wouldn't you agree, 'Rexos'?"
Rex could only sit in confusion as he wasn't sure what was going on. "Why were they calling ME a Blade?!" He looked at the floor as he heard Brighid say something about looking in the mirror through her laughs. Doing just so, his world broke as he finally saw it...
A core in the chest... funny looking armor... a weapon on the back... being seen with another Blade... At first he didnt fully understand, but the cherry on top that sealed his understandment was THAT... The green ether line looking markings that covered his armor. If he didn't know his own looks, he'd be convinced a Blade was standing in front of him, not a mirror.
Leaving with the bags in her hands, Brighid was about to close the door behind her but stopped herself. "You know... we can't let them know. By that, I mean the people of Mor Ardain. They looked so energized and full of hope once again. Please, Sir 'Rexos' for the people, as long as we're here, play the part."
Rex couldnt hear her, his mind and world still broken. "..."
With one final smile, the Fire blade laughed, "I'll tell the others, I'm guessing they're awake by now. Oh, by the way, get some rest," A slightly bigger laugh escaped her lips, "Our Driver needs her Blades to be at their best!" With that, she left and darted her way to the rooms.
"BUT I'M NOT A BLADE!"
(Un)lucky for 'Rexos', the rooms were mostly soundproof, so no one outside of the nearby rooms could hear his yell...
