Chapter 10: Moving Forward
The sun was high as the peak of day drew closer, bathing the battle-scarred remains of the Olethro Playhouse in sunlight. Gathered there before a newly made grave was the members of the party, sans only Pyra, and Vandham's closest friends. Dromarch stood before them all, his rumbling voice giving the final eulogy or Vandham, the man's name boldly carved into the stone of the grave.
"The body may die, but never the soul, which is merely passed on. Souls flow onward, born and reborn, forever part of the great ether stream."
"Why friends make grave here?" Tora quietly asked, trying not to upset the somber mood. "Can we not take Biggipon home to village?"
"He'd want to be buried where he fell. It is traditional amongst mercenaries." Azurda said.
Dromarch moved aside from the grave, Iona approaching and setting a bundle of flowers before the grave. And the young girl's grief was clear as day, tears starting to stream from her eyes as she stayed on her knees.
"I'm sorry Vandham… If I just hadn't listened to those guys, you'd still be… I'm sorry…" Iona's sobs and apologies slowed a bit as Vaios approached, gently placing a hand on her shoulder, giving her a gentle nudge as he gave a soft smile, one still showing his own pain in this situation.
"Don't blame yourself, Iona. They were after us anyway, and all you wanted to do was help your grandpa. Vandham wouldn't blame you for that. What matters is that he saved all of us. So… we have to keep living, and doing our best to make sure we're worth that… so, don't make yourself shoulder this." He said, patting Iona on the head as she nodded, wiping her tears away, trying to show a smile of her own.
"You're right." Iona nodded, Vaios returning the gesture.
"I won't forget Vandham, I promise." Vaios stood and laid a hand on the grave, pulling out Roc's still dimmed Core Crystal, gripping it tightly. "Until I've reached the end of this, I'll fight my war… with Pyra and Mythra."
Haze then gave Vaios a tap on the shoulder. The young man turned, and his eyes widened a bit as he saw Pyra approaching. The Blade didn't say a word as she approached the grave, only folding her hands and bowing her head for a few moments. Vaios couldn't help but worry if she was putting some of the blame or this on herself as well. But that wasn't the most concerning thing.
"You alright?" Vaios said, Pyra giving an affirming nod as she stepped to the side. Vaios, more on impulse, stepped over and grabbed her by the hand. "Good I… I was worried you wouldn't wake up. Haze said you were fine but… hagh. Look, I know that what happened yesterday with you… with Mythra, probably has you uneasy right now. But it's fine, I promise. I'm just worried, about both of you."
"I kind of want to know what that was all about myself." Nia said, her own concerned look present. "That power wasn't normal. Is that what the true power of the Aegis is? It was pretty crazy, so I at least think you owe us an explanation."
"Tora want to know too. Pyra was super strong! Why so strong huh?"
"Now now, don't pressure the girl too much." Azurda said. Pyra looked around the party and then to Vaios, looking to the side as his earnest look didn't really help dissuade the uneasiness she felt, even retreating from him a bit as she started to stammer.
"Well… I… uhmm…" As Pyra fumbled with her words however, a flash from her Core Crystal made her flinch. And with a quick flash of light, her form changed again, Mythra standing before the party, her eyes going to Vaios.
"Mythra?" Vaios saying her name seemed to make something in the girl snap a bit. Mythra's eyes became a glare, and she stalked up to Vaios, grabbing him by the collar.
"Why?! Why did you wake me up?" Mythra growled as Vaios gasped in confusion, both at the outburst and the fact Mythra looked to be on the verge of tears as well. "I didn't want to wake up! I didn't want to come back! But then you… why?! Why do you always have to risk yourself for others?! You're in this situation because of it! I couldn't… I couldn't handle it without you! I left things to her so I wouldn't have to come back, because I thought you were gone! So why, Vaios, why did you wake me up?! Why did you come back?!"
"What else was I supposed to do?!" Vaios responded, even as he saw Mythra's expression break from anger to anguish. "I won't just sit around and allow people to die! If I hadn't fought back, who else would Malos have killed?! You know he doesn't care about how many lives he takes!"
"You're always such an idiot!" Mythra shoved Vaios, growling at him again. "Didn't you listen to that Vandham guy? He said to run, to hold yourself back! But you just had to! You just had to run off and put yourself into danger again! Last time you did that I… we lost you!"
"But I'm still alive, we're all still alive!" Vaios snapped back, grabbing Mythra by the wrist as she turned away. "I kept my promise, didn't I?! I told you I would make it back alive, and somehow I did!"
"You don't get to just come back and act like it makes things better!" Mythra snapped, the welled tears now coming down. "When I thought you were gone I… there's a reason I didn't want to use this power again! And look where you being an idiot, again, got us!"
"I know that!" Vaios yelled, his own tears welling again. "I know I messed up! But it's too late for me to go thinking how it could've gone if things had been different! But even if I was being stupid, I'm not just going to hand you over to them! Just as much as I didn't want more people to die, I wanted to keep you safe too!"
"Th-That's not fair." Mythra muttered, wiping a hand over her eyes. "I've had enough for now. If you all have questions, ask her. I need to cool off!"
"Hold on!" Vaios said, but before anything else, Mythra turned away from him and shifted back to Pyra, who, as soon as she got her bearings, gave a low sigh.
"That's not fair." Pyra said, shaking her head, turning to the others and giving a small bow. "Everyone, I'm very sorry about all of that. Let's keep talking somewhere else."
The theatre, that was where Pyra had decided to go. She was seated on the edge of the stage, while Vaios and the others stood just before her in front of the seats.
"Malos and I are both Aegises." She began to explain, in some ways more to the other members of the group than Vaios, but still giving him a cursory glance. "Blades born with a terrible power, strong enough to destroy the world…"
"Malos is another Aegis?" Nia said, glancing at Vaios, "Vaios, did you know this? I mean, you two seem to have a history. What's with him callin' you "relic" anyway?"
"I… maybe at another time I did." Vaios said, closing a hand tightly. "And I have no idea why he calls me that."
"There's a reason behind it… but that isn't that clear to me either." Pyra said, Vaios sighing. "As for the other topic. A long time ago, a man, Amalthus, climbed the World Tree, hoping to make it to Elysium and meet its creator. But, when he arrived at Elysium, he found it empty. And with it, a creator who didn't hold the answers he wanted to find. So instead, as proof that he'd reached that divine realm, he brought back two Core Crystals, or at least, objects like Core Crystals. One emerald, one amethyst. Me, and Malos. And once he made it back to Alrest, he awakened Malos. Why he did it, I can't say. For greed… for power… or perhaps, something else. When Malos awakened, he used his world-shaking power without restraint. To him, it was natural. He had never known anything else. I… Mythra, to be precise, was awakened by a Driver who was determined to stop Malos's rampage, Addam Origo, the man you know as the Hero of Torna. So, us Aegises fought. And it took everything I, that Mythra, had to take down Malos… but at a great cost. Three Titans fell during the course of that war, one of them being Torna itself. Mythra… something inside of her broke during the battle as well, and I was brought into existence as a result. Afterwards, I asked Addam to seal me away, so that that kind of power could never be used on the world again."
"Which explains the ship." Vaios murmured, running a thumb over his medallion as well.
"You also said Amalthus… as in the Praetor of Indol?! He's Malos's Driver?!" Nia voiced the obvious shock, Pyra's nod causing Nia and Tora to double take. "Bloody 'ell, then he's over 500 years old?! How'd he live so long!? I know Indolines are long lived, but that long? That some bonus for being an Aegis Driver?"
"But… wait, where Vai-Vai involved in story?" Tora said, raising a wing up. "He and Mythra seem to have long relationship, by way both acted."
"That's because…" Pyra murmured, Azurda flitting up.
"Simply put, that is because, 500 years ago, during the Aegis War, Vaios was there." Azurda's statement got shocked gasps once more, Vaios grabbing his medallion. Azurda didn't need words from any of them to see the coming questions. "Vaios, I know there is a chance some of those memories have returned, yes? I heard you talking with Vandham the other night, and what you said is the truth. You were one of Addam's close companions during the Aegis War. In fact, by way of adoption, you two were brothers. That medallion you wear was given to you as proof the day the decision was made. It's emblem is that of the Kingdom of Torna."
"But… how?! Even if it's true, that doesn't make sense!" Vaios said, a hand at his head. "These past five years, Azurda, you know! You've been with me pretty much ever since I woke up on Leftheria, ever since Rakham took me in! How could I…" Vaios then flinched as his words stopped dead. He started thinking about what Malos had said to him back then. Why it is the other Aegis called him "relic", the apparent well of power he had access to, the fact he had seen memories of a world not covered by the Cloud Sea. "I'm… I'm not human, am I?"
"Maybe… maybe you're some kind of Blade?" Nia said, but, both Pyra and Azurda shaking their heads shot that idea down immediately.
"Not quite." Pyra said, getting off the stage and taking Vaios by the hand. "But I'd say it's also wrong to say you're not human. You are, but, in a different way. Vaios, what you are is something even older than the idea of a Blade… but neither Azurda nor I know what that is."
"Well…" Vaios took a breath, clearly trying to calm himself down a bit. "I already said it when fighting Malos, what I am doesn't really matter that much in the end. Besides, I'm going to Elysium for answers about that anyway. Having that at least somewhat cleared up is actually more of a relief than anything."
"You astound me with your ability to take things so well." Nia hummed, Vaios putting a hand behind his head.
"And as for where we were, that ship and what happened after, is pretty much history." Pyra said, looking back to Vaios, squeezing his hand a bit. "I believe it's fate we met again… otherwise my sister never would have woken up. Vaios, Addam wanted you to succeed him as our Driver, if anything ever happened… perhaps what you are ensured that would come to pass."
"Well, I've never really been one to believe in things like fate." Vaios said, an amused little grin on his face. "But that is at least one thing I remembered… though the more I start to remember, the more questions I just find myself having about back then… and wait, sister?"
"Well, what else would I call Mythra?" Pyra said so like it was a simple fact, Vaios giving a hum as the gears in his brain got moving. "We used to talk, in that dream of Elysium where you met me. We promised that, when we were awakened again, we'd go home to the real Elysium. And then, we would fulfill our real purpose… though as things are now… well, that's for another time, I suppose."
"But right now, I guess that's beating Malos again right?" Vaios said, Pyra nodding. "Well… going by what he said, I guess he and I also have some kind of history together… guess a grudge can last even for 500 years if it's the right person."
Vaios then looked to Haze, who tilted her head with a questioning look. Vaios couldn't shake the feeling off either… about what Malos had said, about things being like 500 years ago. Vaios had that same sensation to him, as if things were coming together in a way that would seemingly try to bring history to repeat itself in some manner.
And something in him felt that wasn't something he wanted to allow to happen.
It had been decided to just let the rest of the day be one to let everybody rest up and recover from the previous days happening. Cole had already gotten to helping charter a ferry so the party could make their way to Argentum the next day. Vaios had elected to spend time on his own in one of the hotel rooms, a journal opened in the desk, his pen scratching along the paper.
He was writing down both a record of recent events, but also the things he was starting to remember as well. Why he felt the journal was necessary, he wasn't sure, but he felt if he at least did this, he'd have something more than his own recollections to refer to. Perhaps a small feeling of paranoia about ever losing his memories again made him do it, so he wanted to write down whatever he could.
"Heh… wonder if there's ever been a Blade who felt the same as I do about this?" Vaios let out the chuckle as he set the pen down, closing the journal and giving a soft sigh.
Nia had gone into town with her Blades and Haze to gather some supplies, while Tora was elsewhere doing maintenance on Poppi to make sure she was in top condition. So that just left Vaios alone in the quiet of the room since he wasn't sure what Pyra was up to.
"Vaios?" Though the girl peeking into the room answered that question immediately, Vaios giving a little wave as he leaned his chair back with a foot to the desk. "Uhm… I'm sorry about Mythra and how she acted. Things are just kind of… complicated for her right now. She didn't mean anything bad by what she said. Her head's just sort of a mess because of… well, because of you."
"Oh no it's fine… honestly it felt oddly nostalgic once the heat died down." Vaios gave a hum as Pyra stepped in, rocking himself back and forth. "It made me remember a bit… we bickered all the time as it was, so snapping like that was just kind of familiar to me. Guess I was reacting to things without really thinking about them much huh?"
"Well… she came out because she wanted to protect you. We both did." Pyra said, putting her hands on Vaios's shoulders, the young man glancing up at her. "She broke her own seal for you, used her power as the Aegis… all because with you right there in front of her, she didn't want to lose that again. My flame powers are just a shadow of her strength. Droplets of excess energy, trickling through the seal."
"It's nothing to worry about." Vaios said, putting a hand to Pyra's and giving her a smile. "She was at least right about some of it. Azurda and Rakham always say I'm a bit too headstrong for my own good sometimes. But when people are in trouble, I can't help but want to try and do something. If I have the power to do something, to help others when they're in danger, why shouldn't I try to use that however I can? But I also have to bear the responsibility for what I do. You've alsoactually opened up a little, and I'm pretty glad about that."
"Really?"
"Of course." Vaios said, standing up. "And besides, you're about as reckless as I am. But even still, you went to protect everyone with your own power. Shadows or not, I think it's impressive you did all of that to try and save everybody else."
"Protect… me?" Pyra seemed a bit taken aback by the idea, Vaios nodding.
"Yeup. But next time, bring your Driver with you alright? We're a team, so we do things together, no matter how stupid or reckless it may be." Vaios put a hand on Pyra's shoulder, and the girl looked down, her face a bit red.
"I'm sorry… I…"
"Also, you apologize to much." Vaios then, to Pyra's surprise, went and flicked her on the forehead, earning a yelp from the Blade as she put her hands to the spot, Vaios chuckling as he lowered his hand. "Look… even if the power the Aegis holds is capable of destroying a lot of things, maybe even the world, feeling guilty about it all the time won't help you or Mythra. Besides, think about it this way, if the Aegis is powerful enough to destroy the world, then by that same logic, it's powerful enough to save it."
"What do you mean?"
"Well… let's see." Vaios put a hand to his head, then snapping his fingers. "See, there's something else I remembered… what "Aegis" even means. It's another of those words I know for some reason… what I do know is this, wherever it came from, Aegis means something that protects something else. So doesn't that mean Malos is wrong about the Aegises being meant to destroy everything? Maybe you two were meant to protect people, to protect this world?"
"Vaios… I…"
"Vandham said it himself: Power depends on the heart of its wielder." Vaios then tapped a fist to Pyra's chest, chuckling again. "And you're too nice a person to go around destroying things without a care. As long as you want it to be that, then your power and Mythra's can be a power that protect others. So, don't go around apologizing so much all the time, because I'll make sure this becomes a world where you don't have to. If you'll be the Aegis that protects people, then I'll be the Aegis Driver who protects you to make sure that can happen."
"Vaios… thank you." Pyra put her hands onto Vaios's as he chuckled again. Then the girl took a moment, shuffling a bit like she was thinking something over, Vaios tilting his head. "Also uhm… I know it may be a bit awkward to ask right now of all times but… I kind of, well… wouldn't mind if we picked up where we left off at Garfront. I… sort of want to make it up to you a bit."
"Eh? I mean… I totally understand if you want to hold off on things. I mean, like you said I…" Vaios was shut up not by a firm word but by Pyra placing a hand on his shoulder and closing the gap, planting a light kiss on his lips. A light kiss that once Vaios was free of the sudden shock turned into something a bit more passionate, only ending when the two accidentally fell onto one of the beds. Vaios propped himself up on his arms, finding Pyra's face was as red as her hair, and his face felt like it was burning just as hot.
"I'll lock the door." Vaios shot up and went for the door, Pyra going to the window and shutting the curtain tight. Though as things in the now much more private room got heated, a certain Nopon was trotting up the stairs.
"Vai-Vai! Can you help Tora with repairing of Poppi please?" Tora called out, tilting his head when he saw that the door was shut, and a quick jiggle of the handle showed it was also locked to him. "Vai-Vai? You fall asleep in there?" Tora made the grave decision to press his ear up to the door. And not a moment after he did, the Nopon froze in shock, his entire body starting to turn read before he let out a yelp and started skittering off. "Tora apologize! Not mean to listen on special blushy-crushy time!" The Nopon's screams however pretty much went unnoticed by the occupants of the room.
And sitting on the number sign for the room, Azurda shook his head as he flitted off, chuckling as he began fluttering down the hallway.
"Ah the wiles of youth and those in love. Heh, hope they don't do too much to the room, might make the hotel charge a bit extra to clean it up."
The new day had come, and before the party's due departure, they met up with Cole in front of the theatre. The man had handed Vaios what he'd intended to before the mess from a couple of days before had happened. A dagger, one of an odd make, and in it, a blue crystal with a few flecks of red. The weapon of a Blade, surely, but one that showed age and years, if not decades, of merely sitting around without any hint of repair done to it.
As Vaios gripped the weapon, he felt that odd sensation of familiarity come to him. And Cole certainly didn't miss that expression when it came to the boy's face.
"What's this got to do with where we're going?" Vaios looked the weapon over, flipping it around a bit, Cole giving a long hum.
"Take this and go to Indol. That dagger's owner can tell you how to get to Elysium. You may not even need it, but, consider it an extra precaution so that he knows who sent you."
"Amalthus, right?" Vaios said, Cole looking a bit surprised. "Indol's Praetor… and Malos's Driver. Pyra told us. And I remembered, a bit anyway. It's still not much but… I knew him, didn't I?"
"Knew is a bit of a stretch." Cole said. "More like… you were acquainted with one another."
"And here we go again with findin' out he's connected to a bunch of odd people." Nia said, shaking her head, finding she was getting used to this apparent trend that was cropping up. "Next you'll tell me he knows the Architect as well, if things keep up at this rate."
"Haha, don't go jinxing it now." Cole chuckled, Nia rolling her eyes. "But not just that… Amalthus was once also my own Driver. Hence why it's more accurate to say he owns that weapon."
"Wait… what friend mean?" Tora asked, Vaios looking back to Cole, feeling a flash come to his head again as Cole moved aside part of his shirt… revealing a Core Crystal, one that like the dagger's, bore marks of red within its glowing blue coloration.
"Minoth." Vaios murmured, Cole showing a satisfied smile as he closed his shirt. "I… remember now. You were there…"
"Yes. He fought together with us as one of Addam's companions during the Aegis War." Azurda said. "In fact, you two were quite chummy, as I recall."
"Haha, we just exchanged stories is all. Yet while I've aged like shit, you haven't changed one bit, Vaios." Cole put a hand to Vaios's shoulder, the young man giving a sigh as he shook his head. "Guess what you told me was true after all then."
"What did I tell you?" Vaios raised a curious brow, Cole pulling his extended hand to his chin.
"Well, you decided to be vague about it. Mostly that you were something like a human but born in a different way and all that. Didn't tell me more than that though, mostly because you said it doesn't matter. I presume the same holds true in your head even now?"
"Pretty much." Vaios sighed as he put a hand to his head, muttering how it seems his actions in the past were screwing him over from more easily finding some things out from someone who turned out to be an old companion of his from that time. "Either I'll remember it myself or I'll find out when we get to Elysium, whichever happens first."
"Blades not get old though!" Tora pointed out finally. "Why Cole look so old?"
"That's a good question, actually." Vaios added. "Heck, why does your Core Crystal have those red marks in it?"
"Because I'm one of the Cursed Ones. A Flesh Eater." Cole said, Vaios and Tora tilting their heads, Haze and Poppi following suit. Nia however, bunched up a hand as she gasped, Dromarch looking to her with visible concern. "A Blade who has been fused with human cells. A long time ago, before the war, some thought to test the limits of a Blade's potential. I am a product of their experiments, one of the unlucky ones tainted by their folly."
"Why would ancient people do that?" Tora said, Vaios bunching up his hand.
That idea was dredging up images in his mind again. Ones that unsettled him and brought an unpleasant pit into his stomach. He couldn't help but think a single idea: That it seemed humanity was always in some ways willing to push their ideas of creation and interference with things beyond a point of reason that dives into outright madness.
"It seems to be that by combining Blade and human cells, it is sometimes possible to create Blades with unique powers. But only very rarely. Most experiments were a failure, and I was one of them. I gained nothing at all and lost my immortality to boot. I probably don't have much time left."
"Grandpa…" Iona murmured, and it made things a lot clearer why she would have gone along with Akhos and Malos… people who had a Blade that could manipulate ether flows, the girl must have thought they could have definitely had a way to if not save, then at least buy Cole more time.
"Before I go, I want to see where your path ends." Cole again pat Vaios on the shoulder, the youth appearing to be mulling over something. "So take that dagger, it'll aid you. Will you do this for me?"
"Of course, Minoth." Vaios gave a nod, gripping the dagger a bit tighter. Then he turned to Haze. "Haze, the ether flow through this part of Uraya is a little thin, right?"
"Quite a bit, actually… what are you proposing?" Haze asked, Vaios chuckling and turning back to Cole.
"I was just thinking… if you want to see how this ends, then you need to stick around long enough to see things to that end, right?" Vaios said, Cole blinking at him with a surprised look. "Haze can manipulate ether flows, in fact, she's also aimed more at Blades… so, Haze, think you can do it?"
"Well, how can I say no?" Haze said, pulling out her staff, closing her eyes as she lifted it up. "I just need to concentrate on adjusting the flow… the winds that pass through here and carry the ether… I can definitely adjust them to flow far better!"
Cole stared as Vaios lifted a hand to Haze, and as the boy's eyes pulsed brightly, the golden aura of high affinity rose between them, Haze lifting her staff up, pulses of wind beginning to move through the air. What otherwise would have been a normal healing Art suddenly seemed charged up to more than just that. The air around itself began to move a bit, and one could feel the rush of the wind pass by as if something within it's very flow had changed. Cole let out a sudden breath, looking at his hands and curling his fingers in surprise. It was only slight… yet now, something suddenly felt better than it had before.
"By the Architect, I'd almost forgotten about her. That Blade you have, Haze… she was Lora's!" Cole looked to Haze as she slumped a bit, Vaios helping support her. "When did you get your hands on her Crystal? I thought that…"
"I'd been holding onto her for some time." Azurda said. "Addam wasn't the only one who asked Vaios to look after their Blade if something happened to them. After all, Vaios and Lora were quite close you know."
"That they were." Cole said, Vaios raising a brow at both old men. "Well then… you'll want to be careful out there with her, Vaios. If Jin really is there… I don't know how he'll react to seeing Haze with you as well. But… I must thank you. It's not much, but these old bones feel a tad spryer than they were a few seconds ago."
"It was as much as I could do." Haze said. "I'm not sure just how well it will work, but I was able to at least alter enough of the ether flow in the area that, for a while, more should come through this part of Uraya. It should at least give you more time."
"And that's all I could ask for."
"I've got one more thing I want to ask, actually." Vaios said, Cole looking to him without a word. "Could you maybe… write a play about Vandham? Someone like him… I think his story could do a lot to inspire people, give them motivation to do something, to make their own way with things, you know? So, once I find Elysium, I'll come back here, and you can show it to me, deal?"
"Hehehe… how can I say no to that? It's the least I can do. In exchange for that, you better tell me about how the rest of this journey goes… and when you remember the rest of everything about yourself, how about telling me the things you were being skittish about yeah? Make sure you get back here in one piece."
"You've got a deal." Vaios clapped a hand to Cole's, and the two shook on it. With some other goodbyes to Cole, Iona, and Vandham's seconds, the group headed off, their destination being the docks. "Oh yeah, here's a bonus I should mention about the ride Cole got us: Salvagers get free rides back to Argentum!"
"Man what other benefits do you rascals get?" Nia asked with an amused huff, Vaios holding up a v-sign. "Well hey, a free ride ain't bad. So then everybody, how about we use the ride to rest up more eh?"
"No arguments about that." Vaios said, Tora cheering along with him, the others cheering along with them.
"Man it feels good to be back!" Vaios stretched his arms up as the party exited the ferry and onto the welcoming sight of the Argentum dockyard again, Vaios readily strolling ahead with a gleeful look on his face. Tora was looking around the place with a great amount of interest in everything around him, while Nia kept looking over the side of the docks with a bit of concern on her face, Pyra giving her a reassuring pat on the back, Haze looking around with an awe filled look as she stuck by Dromarch and Ursula.
And it wasn't long before a bunch of the Nopons at work took notice as Vaios waved at them, looking ecstatic to see him around.
"Vaios back!"
"Vaios come back alive!"
"Vaios have many side kicks now!"
"Quite the celebrity aren't ya?" Nia said with a wide smirk, Vaios chuckling as he rubbed his nose.
"Well I have been trading here for quite some time. Now…" Vaios turned on his heel to the others, a hand on his waist. "I'll go and find us a ride to the Empire since heading there next is our best bet. You guys head to the inn and I'll meet you there once I've figured something out."
"Sounds good, see ya' around then." Nia said, waving the others forward as she took the lead, Vaios moving off the other way as he let out a hum.
"Let's see now… ships leaving for Mor Ardain depart from the flight deck… wonder if any are open right now. The sooner we can get to the Empire the better."
As he trotted off, Vaios greeted and occasionally chattered with some of the other Nopon and Salvagers he passed by, a bunch of them expressing being glad to see he was alright after the incident with that previous job. And as he made his way up the stairs and past the canteen, that was about when his danger senses suddenly kicked on.
"VAIOS!"
And with a chorus of yells, Vaios screamed as he was barreled over by no less than nearly a dozen men, the boy left twitching beneath the dog pile of the Inquestor crew and barely able to make out what they were all saying as they elected to grill him all at once.
"Alright ya nutjobs, get off the lad and let him catch himself before you grill him enough to match Heinz's awful steaks!" Rakham shouted over the lot as he approached, reaching into the pile of bodies and yanking Vaios right out.
"Thanks for the save Captain." Vaios said, relief in his eyes. "Sorry uh… sorry it took so long to get back."
"Sorry, eh? Well…" Rakham then clocked a fist back and rammed it right into Vaios's gut, buckling him over his arm. "At least have the damn sense to send a message if it's gonna take ya' a damned week to get back!"
"A-Aye sir…" Vaios coughed as he doubled over. As he was, Rakham caught sight of the Aegis blade on his belt, and Azurda packed away in his hood.
"The hell is up with the new sword and pet?" Rakham asked, Vaios giving a stilted look as he stood back up.
"It's ah uh… long story." Vaios said.
"And I'll have you know I am far from a pet." Azurda said. Rakham's eyes went wide as he realized who the miniscule Titan was. "I know I look quite different now but honestly. What a rude way to say hello to such an old friend."
"Boys, go fetch Rex. There's gonna be a lot to talk about." Rakham nodded to the crew, some of them hurrying off as the man went back to one of the larger tables of the canteen. He sat down and gestured to Vaios, taking a long swig of his tankard. "This is gonna be a while, isn't it?"
"Very much so." Vaios nodded.
"Ah! I knew you were back!" Vaios turned when he heard Rex, the younger Salvager rushing up with the crewmates who'd gone to get him trailing. "Thank the bloody Architect for that! What the hell happened out there? Gramps suddenly up and vanished the night you left, and then they said the Maelstrom went down with no survivors! The place is in a helluva storm now that you're back!"
"A bit late on that one Rex." Rakham chuckled. "Take a seat with us. Vaios was about to explain that one. Also, before ya' ask, Azurda is the sugar glider in Vaios's hood."
"Huh?" Rex looked to Vaios and saw Azurda perched on his shoulder. "Gramps?"
"Hello Rex. I know it's a shock but, well… allow us to explain this." Azurda sighed when he saw Rex's disbelieving expression. "Oh don't look so baleful, it's still me, even if now I'm this small."
"Is this some kind of joke?! Where's the real Gramps?! Is he outside and pulling some prank through this pet here?!"
"How rude can you be?!" Azurda hopped off and kicked Rex square on the forehead, the boy starting to fall back, Vaios catching Rex by the arm before he could go tumbling down the stairs, quickly pulling him back up to avoid an incident. "I know it's surprise, but it's honestly me!"
"Just, sit down and let me explain what's going on." Vaios said, raising his hands in a cautionary manner. "Hope you guys are ready, because this is one hell of a story I've got."
"That is… something wild, that's for sure. Winding up a Driver and now running all across different Titans? Talk about getting caught up in a mess." Rex was the first to speak after Vaios finished recounting the past series of events to him and the crew. Rakham bore a stoic look as he mulled over the more recent tale, of the party's meeting with Vandham and the ensuing events in Uraya… especially the man's death.
"Yeah, it's been a lot for such a short amount of time. And it's still going to be like this for a while." Vaios said. "Me and my friends are planning to make our way to Indol, but first we need to stop in Mor Ardain. Which of course means we had to get here and charter a ship to the Empire. We had a ship of our own but… well you all heard about the monster at the Abyss."
"To think that's why no one could ever get close to the World Tree." A crew member said. "Who'd have thought there was some beast guarding it?"
"Makes total sense once you know of it." Rakham said, leaning back in his chair. "And no wonder you went there first. No way in hell I'm taking the Inquestor near the Void now."
"Yeah, I thought as much." Vaois chuckled.
"So, tell me… Vandham. How'd that old fool die?" Rakham took on a somber look as he lifted his tankard. Vaios's eyes shaded a bit, but then he took on a soft, sad smile.
"He went down fighting, protecting me and my friends."
"Always knew there was only two ways he was gonna bite it: Time or the blade." Rakham took another long drink from his recently refilled mug. "Had a bleeding heart he did, cost us a lot of money back in the day… but it was always in the right place no matter what. It's a shame when a good man like Vandham leaves this world."
"Yeah… I only knew him for a few days, but… it's why I have to keep going and see this through. It's not a job anymore… it's personal." Vaios's hand tightened under the table. "I don't know how long it's going to be for but… until then I don't think I'll be going on any salvaging jobs till then."
"I mean, I think it's kinda great." Rex said. "Getting to go on a grand adventure across Alrest, trying to find Elysium with the Aegis of legend! It's something right out of a book it is!"
"Heh, you probably would've been in my place if you'd gotten here before me and the crew." Vaios mused. Yeah… maybe… if things had turned out a bit differently, Rex would be in my place instead. "I won't go asking for anything big from any of you. Just… knowing, at least. That this is something I have to do."
"Well, I don't see a reason to stop you." Rakham said, standing up and moving to Vaios, putting a hand on the young man's shoulder. "You're a grown man after all. And sometimes a folk has to let the kid fly the nest. Shame about Azurda ending up a sugar glider though. But, eh. Rex, think you're good workin with us rowdy fools a bit longer?"
"No problem at all Captain!" Rex gave a salute and chuckled. "Getting to fly with the Inquestor crew is a fun time anyway. But hey, Gramps, you better make it up to me for losing all my stuff like that."
"Yes yes, it'll be taken care of later." Azurda said with a shooing motion. "Vaios, we still need to go get our charter papers for Mor Ardain."
"Right. I'll chat with you guys later. Hell, maybe I can introduce you to my new friends while I'm at it."
"Why not throw a party while we're at it!" One of the crewmates crowed. "We ain't seen ya in a week, hell some of us thought ya might've bitten it! So how 'bout it lad?"
"You idiots know I can't say no." Vaios mused. "But I ain't paying this time. And we won't be leaving until tomorrow anyway, so let's have at it!"
"Well, I hope your new pals can handle a Salvager class party." Rakham chuckled, throwing an arm over Vaios's shoulders.
"What going on here?" Tora's familiar cadence brought Vaios to turn, and just in time, the rest of the party was following the Nopon up into the canteen. "Ah, there Vai-Vai! You get charter yet?"
"Was about to, Tora." Vaios got free of Rakham and trotted over to the group, gesturing towards them as he turned to his crew. "And as convenient as it is fellas, let me introduce you to the ragtag buncha misfits going with me on this romp across the world. Everyone?"
"Nia." Said the Gormotti, giving a wave to the now very interested Salvagers. "I'm one of the Drivers who was on the blasted job a week ago. Been stuck with your little moron since. These are my blades, Dromarch and Ursula."
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance." Dromarch took a low bow, while Ursula waved from behind her bear partner shyly.
"Tora is name!" Tora heartily waved his wings as he bounced to Vaios. "And I proud sidekick to Vai-Vai! Also, while not real Driver, Tora built artificial Blade, Poppi! Say hello!"
"Greetings to all of you." Poppi waved her arms in a mimic of Tora's own wing flapping, earning interested hums from the crew. Rakham shot a look to Vaios, who chuckled.
"It's a long story. Anyway, now lemme introduce you to my Blades." Vaios gestured to Pyra and Haze, both bowing. "Meet Haze and Pyra. The latter of whom is the Aegis I was telling you about earlier."
"It's an absolute delight to meet you all." Haze said.
"Vaios has told us a lot about you all." Pyra greeted. Vaios gave a smug look to his crewmates as they shot him jealous eyes. Rakham clonked a few of the men on the head. "You were certainly right about them being rowdy."
"You'll see just how rowdy with the party they're planning to throw." Vaios chuckled. "Now… I need to grab that charter. We won't be leaving till tomorrow, so feel free to use the rest of the day to take care of some business you've got."
"Tora want to see what other Nopon have as wares! Perhaps will find parts to improve Poppi with!"
"Poppi agree with Masterpon!"
"If it's engineering how about some of us go with ya?" One crewmate said as he approached Tora. "We know plenty of the Nopons around here, we can make sure you get the good stuff!"
"Don't indulge him too much." Vaios mused. "Tora's excitable when it comes to tweaking Poppi."
"We don't need Poppi suddenly changing into something wild now." Nia said, Haze also getting up.
"I'll go with you both too. I want to see what all this place has. Oh, Pyra, do you want to go look with me?" Haze said, Pyra nodding.
"I'd like that. I want to see if they have any good ingredients I can use for cooking at camp."
"There's things from all over Alrest to sample, and all of it of good quality. You like the place?" Azurda said, Pyra nodding.
"Well I'm not much sure about you all, I'm just glad to be resting in a proper inn again after a long voyage. Uraya's was fine, but gotta hand it to the folks runnin' this place, they know how to let someone relax." Nia said, reclining at a table and giving a long stretch, downright purring as she gained a relaxed air.
"Being on familiar shores is always nice and good." Vaios said, teasingly tapping Nia's ears, the Gormotti swiping at his hand. "Now come on, let's get business done and then party it up!"
The shenanigans that ensued with the party thrown by the Inquestor crew had been more than enough to tire out the party for the rest of the day, everyone retiring to rooms from what was available. As was becoming the norm, the group split into rooms for the boys and the girls. Though, early riser he was even after a party spent downing more than few drinks than he was okay with, Vaios's clearing haze from sleep came with a bit of a surprise to him. Mainly because now, he wasn't the bed's sole occupant.
For one reason or another, a sleeping Mythra was next to Vaios. With a grip on his right arm that as she shifted, nestled it right into the soft valley of her chest. Vaios let out small mutters as his face went a bit red while trying to process the situation. Am I just still a bit drunk? Or did she switch with Pyra in her sleep or something and wander in on accident?
Not that he got to think much before Mythra's eyes opened, half-lidded from drowsiness. She definitely looked a bit out of it, even drawing closer to Vaios during the quiet seconds… then Mythra's eyes went wide as she finally seemed to realize for herself what was going on.
"Uh… morning?" Vaios said, a stilted, small smile on his face. Craaaap… he thought.
"AHHHHH!" Though Mythra just screamed as she sat upright and scrambled off the bed, Vaios nearly falling off himself from surprise at the sudden move. "You… how did… what are you doing in my bed?!"
"Ehhh?! You're the one in my bed!" Vaios said, pointing to the rest of the room to prove the point.
But she didn't seem to be having it, as in another quiet moment, Mythra's face went red before she let out another yell. Mythra ran to the other end of the room, and grabbed whatever that was loose she could, Vaios yelping as he started having to deflect whatever random things Mythra started flinging at him.
"I can't freaking believe… you and Pyra went and… all of the things you… and while I was sleeping! Aggghh! Get out you damn perv!" Half of what Mythra was saying died down between her angry yelling, and it didn't do much to not stop Tora, Dromarch, and Azurda from waking up. Tora quite unfortunately got cleanly hit by a mug Vaios knocked aside.
"Whoops… sorry Tora!" Vaios then caught a book, giving a sigh as he looked at Mythra flatly. "Take stock of the room for a moment, will you?!"
"Huh?" Mythra stopped her throwing long enough to do that, and when she saw she was indeed in the room the boys had taken, she dropped the items she was holding and brought a hand to her face. "Ughh… I can't believe it. I did it again! Ugh, I am such an idiot!"
"Is this what they call sleepwalking?" Dromarch said as Mythra opened threw open the door in a huff, Vaios sighing as he laid back down.
"This isn't the first time this has happened with her… somehow I know that." Vaios put a hand to his forehead as other fuzzy flashes came to mind. "Yeah, definitely had this happen before."
"You were staring." Mythra accord, Vaios sitting back up with an offended look again.
"You're the one who put my arm between those things in your sleep!"
"You just admitted you were!"
"Hard not to when it's in my face!"
"Ugh, pervert!" Mythra slammed the door and left with that, Vaios's eye twitching as his teeth started grating.
"That girl…" Vaios's fingers were just as twitchy as he hissed, Azurda giving an amused sigh.
"And that would be a lover's quarrel." Azurda noted, Dromarch and Tora chuckling, all going silent when Vaios glared at them fast enough one could worry about whiplash being induced.
"Let's not talk about it." Vaios coldly said, the others rapidly nodding, not wanting to incur any more potential wrath.
Though following that, as the group convened in the restaurant again, since the ship to Mor Ardain still had some time before setting off, Vaios was a bit cautious as he approached Pyra, who was enjoying some more of that tea she'd found a liking for the other day.
"Morning." Vaios said, coughing a bit as he sat down. "So uh… this morning…"
"I'm sorry about Mythra." Pyra said, clearly in on what had happened. "She just gets confused when she wakes up… and may or may not have also found out we uhm… did all of that before we left Uraya."
"Yeah… figured that out." Vaios coughed into a hand again, also glaring at Nia as she gave the two of them a smarmy look.
"It didn't get violent, did it?"
"Uh… a bit." Vaios held up a couple of fingers, Pyra giving a sigh. "I mean it wasn't that bad… just y'know, some random stuff got thrown around, Tora got a mug to the face… that was kind of my fault though."
"Well, it's a good thing he's tough. You're… not hurt anywhere though?" Pyra then took a moment to start looking Vaios over, and his face got red as she leaned up while checking.
"Totally fine! Not a scratch on me… please don't lean up like that." Vaios muttered, Pyra chuckling.
"It's cute you get embarrassed at times like this, you're so bold otherwise."
"Not in front of the others." Vaios said, Nia almost howling with laughter now, Haze keeping a hand over her mouth as she chuckled. "Anyway! The ship is leaving from the Goldmouth Harbor up on the fourth floor. So we should get a move on."
"Sounds like a plan." Nia said, swinging her legs out and stretching again.
"Ardainian Empire sound so grand! Tora cannot wait to see it!" Tora chimed in, Vaios giving a nod as they all moved to start making their way up.
"Word to the wise if you're headin to Mor Ardain, stick clear of the area around Hardheigh Palace." Rakham approached with Rex alongside him, the man chuckling as he held up two fingers. "And be sure to try out the hotsprings. Places are to die for when you visit. Mor Ardain's one ancient Titan, but it's age is exactly why the Empire's been so quick to make new tech out of it."
"Huh, wonder if they could make that work without Titans." Tora said, giving a hum. "Perhaps if Mor Ardain had Ether Furnaces like Poppi does! Not that it any ordinary Ether Furnace!"
"Hmm, that could actually be a good idea." Vaios mused. "If it were just implemented properly…"
"Don't go getting too into your engineering bubble now you two. Perhaps save it for the ride." Nia said, her arms behind her head, then shading her eyes as they strolled out onto the deck of the port. "Egh, pretty darn bright today i'n it?"
"Ah but the wind also feels so nice. The voyage will be great, I'm sure of it." Haze remarked, Nia shrugging again.
"Fair winds are a good sign when you're on the Cloud Sea." Rakham said. "Means the weather will be nice and clear through the journey. Be sure to at least write a bit, alright Vaios?"
"Yeah, I'll be sure too. When this is all over, however it goes, I'll be glad to get back to work as usual." Vaios clapped hands with Rakham, the elder man nodding, then whipping Vaios around into a headlock. "Hey! What gives?"
"Lemme give you a more private piece of advice as well." The man whispered. He stuck a thumb back to Pyra and Haze, Vaios glancing over in turn. "There's a difference in a crew that's got your back and partners who're with you even beyond a crew. I only know things from stories but even a louse like me knows how big of a deal it is that Pyra gal is the Aegis. You're the Driver for those two, meaning as much as it's their job to let you fight, it's your job to keep 'em safe. You got that?"
"It's a point I've had driven home in the past couple of days." Vaios replied. "Besides, it's also not just Pyra. There's also Mythra, her sister… well, I guess other self is more accurate. But… ah you get the idea."
"All the more reason then." Rakham tapped a fist to Vaios's chest. "I'm old enough I also got a sense for it. It ain't just about being a Driver and Blade for you lot, I can see that much."
"Zip it." Vaios growled as his face went red, Rakham snickering. "But… I know what I have to do. Besides, Mythra and I got a lot to catch up on."
"Well then, be sure to be the best Driver you can be." Rakham released Vaios and slapped him on the back. Vaios chuckled at the feeling. Vandham's pats were way harder than this… wonder who picked it up from who.
"Good luck out there, Gramps, Vaios." Rex said, holding out a fist, Vaios tapping his to it. "I wanna hear all about what you see from here on, sound good? Consider it payment for losing my stuff in the Cloud Sea."
"Sure thing. And feel free to pilfer my cabin on the Inquestor. You'll need the gear in there more than me." Vaios then had an idea and reached into his pouch, pulling out Roc's still dimmed Core Crystal. "Also, take this with you. He… he's a memento from Vandham. I think you'll get more out of having this fella with you than me."
"What?! Nah, I can't take something like this!" Rex said. But, his hesitance faded when he saw the somber, wistful look in Vaios's eyes. Slowly, Rex took the dim Core Crystal, rolling it in his palm slightly, taking care not to let it loose. "A-Alright… I'll accept it. But… I'm not so sure about the whole Driver thing."
"I'm not saying you have to resonant with the Crystal." Vaios said. "Consider Roc here… a good luck charm. If you do decide to, then all the better. Rakham?"
"Risky as it is, may be worth a shot." The old Salvager said. "If the Blade in there was Vandham's, then he's gotta be a good one."
"I can tell you for sure, Roc was great. If you do wake him up, I'm sure he'll be great to you too." Vaios nodded to both of the other Salvagers, letting out a small laugh. "Next time we see each other, let's show off whatever new treasures we find!"
"You might just be hearing about a fancy new Driver soon enough." Rex chuckled. Then he waved off to the waiting party who'd been watching them the whole time. "Hey all of you! Take good care of this lunk will ya? Guy's practically my brother, so it'd be real great!"
"Not that he may need it much!" Rakham chuckled as he ruffled Vaios's hair. "But just keep him from being too reckless!"
"Will be sure to do that!" Tora waved with his wings, the others nodding along.
"Alright then. Well then Rex, Captain, seeya next time, maybe in Leftheria if luck brings us that way."
"Yeah. Whichever way the Cloud Seas currents take us." Rex said.
The two bumped fists again and Vaios turned off. Vaios gave one more wave as Rex and Rakham descended back into the inner areas of Goldmouth. The paths were separate, but a moment for two to cross again brought some hope around to Vaios again, a reminder of the potential the world had to go on.
And after a long voyage from the titan airship, Mor Ardain came into sight for the party from the cabin they'd nested up in for the trip.
The only Titan to be bipedal in nature, Mor Ardain stood tall over the Cloud Sea below it, billows of steam pouring from the cities that marked its body. Its height meant most of the visible towns, and especially the capital city of Alba Cavanich, stood prominent across the wider structure of Mor Ardain's torso and shoulders, with vast arrays of metal and older constructions now left abandoned strewn about the expanse of its body. Dust from the arid lands of the aging Titan also drifted off due to the blowing winds, wastes that too were dotted by structures of imposing metal and the lines of transport cars and the like.
Mor Ardain was known as one of the most advanced kingdoms in Alrest for a reason, and this sight was only proof of the technological might that they held.
"Whoaaa!" Tora voiced, Vaios staring out from the window and too the path beyond.
"Hugo…" Vaios murmured the name quietly, one that came to mind suddenly like so many other things that did. Vaios gave a sigh, Pyra putting a hand on his shoulder as he notably tensed up. "Well, if this is where things lead, then I'm ready… whatever else I may learn, I'm ready for it."