A Turn of Fate
Chapter 12: True Aegis against the Jewel
With the commotion being caused further off, the party's roof hopping was next to undisturbed as they followed the sounds of fighting in the distance. The only real challenge was needing to duck and climb over the various steamworks running across the rooftop pathways. A thing that quite varied between the members of the group. Vaios, Nia, and Mythra moved across anything in their way with little trouble, followed by the somewhat clumsier attempts by Haze, Poppy, and Dromarch. Behind them was Tora near fumbling about trying to get his round form across or under pipes, and then Ursula being carried by her bear companion the whole way instead.
Across the rooftops, the sound of gunfire echoed across the city, serving as a handy guide for the party as they followed the trail of bullet holes and other marks of combat that were left behind from the mysterious commotion.
As they neared a scaffolding bridging two of the rooftop paths, they caught sight of three soldiers giving chase to a small, cloaked figure. The figure stopped on the bridge, the pursuing soldiers opening fire… only for not a thing to happen as the bullets harmlessly pinged off their target. In a swift response, the cloaked figure shot forward, downing the soldiers in a swift series of blows to each. As the last soldier fell, he inadvertently pulled the cloak from the figure, though with the dark of the night acting as a cover, the group still couldn't properly see who they were as they approached.
"What the heck was that?" Vaios said, Tora stepped forward, spotting a rather familiar kind of orange glow around the figure's body.
"Meh?" The Nopon tilted his head. The clouds cleared a bit, casting moonlight down, revealing that the mysterious figure bore an almost shocking resemblance to Poppi, though with dark brown "hair" and a proper dress rather than a cape. "Lila?!"
"Wait you know her?!" Vaios yelped. Without a word, Lila turned from the group, the "backpack" she wore igniting, carrying her off in a massive leap off into the distance.
"Wait, Lila!" Tora bolted to the edge of the rail, squinting as he looked off. "Ah! Over there!" Pointing off with one of his wings, Tora had spotted Lila standing atop one of the smokestacks along the road. "Come on, friends! Chase after, quick!"
Tora bolted ahead, rushing forward with a new sense of vigor as they chased Lila further along the rooftops, the girl leaping from smokestack to rooftop and back as they followed after her, finally coming to a stop a ways down.
"Wait, please!" But Tora didn't get so much as a reply as they caught up, only Lila continuing to leap away from them. "Bah, why she not listening?! Nothing to do but give chase!"
"Tora, can you hold it for a moment!?" Vaios shouted, grabbing the Nopon by his coveralls before he could run off again. "Mind telling us who this Lila is, and why you're so eager to catch her?"
"Would be nice, rather than dragging us all over the rooftops all night," Nia added.
"Lila… Lila is Artificial Blade like Poppi," Tora stated, "But thing is, Lila built by Dadapon and Grampypon! So we need to hurry! If we catch Lila, may find Dadapon in process! Tora explain rest later, but let us hurry first!"
"Well that suddenly puts things into perspective," Vaios hummed. "Alright then, guess it's a moonlit chase! Let's go!"
The chase resumed for a while longer, the group eventually trailing Lila down to the streets themselves, though as they kept running, eventually they lost sight of Lila entirely amid the mazelike corners and bends of the streets and buildings. And when all signs of Lila were lost as they reached one of many open areas scattered about with crates and metal bars, Tora let out a frustrated sound.
"Mehmehmeh! This city too bendy and turny! Can't see Lila anywhere from down here!" Tora grumbled, his wings flaring about in his frustration.
"Masterpon, there an aether furnace reading nearby…" Poppi scanned around, then looking to the rooftops again. "Up there!"
And looking upwards, Lila was there staring down at the group. "Lila, it is you!" was Tora's astounded response.
"Ether furnace reading detected. Initiating protocol," With those words, Lila dropped down from the roof, taking a battle-ready stance after landing, heavy gauntlet-like weapons being drawn from her back at the ready.
"Looks like she's here for a fight, Tora!" Vaios said, already drawing the Aegis Blade.
"Mehmeh! Then we subdue!" Tora stated, twirling out his shield. "Just be sure not to break! We need to ask for information!"
"So then we take it easy, got it," Mythra added, "This should be a decent enough warm-up."
Any other conversation to be had was cut off as Lila chose to strike, aiming for Tora first off. Tora deflecting the incoming blow with his shield, standing firm against the flurry of punches Lila dealt out with her weapons. The drill port of the shield opened, the extension shooting out and forcing Lila to retreat away, the tip just barely digging into right shielf-gauntlet as she pulled back. Nia followed up the retreat with chakrams in hand, keeping the artificial Blade at bay with a twirling series of slashes.
"Haze, see if you can't stall her!" Vaios shouted as he ran ahead, skidding around as Nia knocked Lila his way, Haze nodding as she gripped her staff.
As Vaios bat aside a couple of Lila's punches, his vision focused as he could then see images of the following attacks. A straight left, followed by using the right arm-weapon to fire something at him. When the left punch was thrown, Vaios vaulted upwards, using Lila's arm like a bar as he flipped over her, bringing down his sword in a hard swing that slammed the flat of the energy blade against her, sending the artificial Blade sprawling across the ground.
"Nice hit Vai-Vai!" Tora called out, diving in again and landing a few good hits in as he swung his shield. Lila skid back from the blows, and now her frame was sparking.
"Probability of success falling. Switching to strategic retreat mode," With that, Lila pulled away from the fight, the thrusters at her back flaring as she sent herself over the nearby gate.
"Lila, wait!" Tora shouted.
"Let's not lose her!" Vaios was quick to hop onto some of the crates near the gate, launching himself over it with nimble moves. The rest were quick to follow Vaios in the maneuver, either climbing over themselves, or in the case of Tora getting lifted over by Poppi.
The continued pursuit of Lila yet again found the group having to navigate through the bends and twists of the streets, but with Poppi able to keep a lock on her direction it meant getting lost was thankfully not going to happen. But, as they finally reached one of the city's main roads leading out to the wastes beyond, there wasn't a sign of Lila anywhere as they continued on.
"Dammit, we lost her," Vaios tched, "Poppi, what about her signal?"
"Lila aether furnace reading lost," Poppi replied, "It seem she has escaped."
"Lila…" Tora murmured. Gathering himself, the Nopon turned to the others. "Time now for full explanation, Tora suppose. Long time ago, Grampypon Soosoo and Dadapon Tatazo were working on her. Grampypon and Dadapon and Tora all wanted to become Driver. However, as friends know, not single one of us have potential. Hence, creation of artificial Blade. Blade even we can use! But then… as Lila being built, suddenly came under attack. Grampypon was killed right there, while Dadapon sent Tora running as far away as possible with plans. After that, Tora not know what happen to Dadapon or Lila. And then Tora hide out in Torigoth, making Poppi based on blueprints and ether furnace Dadapon left for Tora. Friends know rest."
"Don't you have any idea who the attackers were?" Mythra asked, Tora shaking his head.
"Tora not know who, but they were definitely trying to steal Lila!"
"If it was Lila they were after…" Nia said, "then how'd she end up here in the Empire? Those were imperial soldiers after her, so something must've happened."
"Tora have no idea…" A reasonable response from the Nopon, "But one thing is most confusing. When bad guys attacked the lab, Lila was not finished. There only one who could finish making Lila… Dadapon Tatazo!"
"No wonder you got so worked up," Vaios chuckled, "If she's running around, then it might mean you dad didn't kick the bucket. But then… if he did finish Lila, that just loops back into the question of who the attackers were in the first place. Obviously they knew about Lila so… what was the plan?"
"It seems that, rather than a respite before moving on, we have found ourselves confronted with a new mystery," Azurda commented.
"Dadapon must be held captive by whoever using Lila…" Tora said, a hint of anger in his voice.
"You there, don't move!"
"Damned by the Architect…" Vaios turned as a slightly muffled voice called out to them, and quite unsurprisingly a group of Ardanian soldiers were before them. Yet not merely soldiers alone either, because approaching from further behind were Mórag and Brighid. "Well now… seems our ruckus caught the attention of the Inquisitor herself."
"Pleased to meet you again, Driver of the Aegis," Mórag responded.
"Lady Mórag, she's the one!" One soldier said, pointing to Poppi, "That mechanical girl took down our squad!"
"Huh?" Vaios looked to Poppi, then the soldier. "Is your head on loose mate, or did the blow knock it out of you? Those two look entirely different!"
"Where'd you even get that idea?!" Nia shouted.
"Unfortunately, they cannot tell difference between Lila and Poppi," Poppi stated.
"Then apparently Mor Ardain has a habit of recruiting morons," Vaios groaned. And as Mórag opened her mouth, Vaios held up a hand. "Ah! Let's not go jumping to conclusions either Miss Inquisitor. Like I said, Poppi isn't the one who was busting your men's heads in. Hell, we were chasing the one who did ourselves. All we're doing is passing through here on our way to Indol, not causing trouble."
"This, from the mouth of the man who so brazenly invaded one of our own ships to rescue a wanted criminal?" Mórag asked.
"Which need I remind you was a trap set up by yourself," Vaios spat back. "My only question is if you believe me or not,"
"Considering our previous encounter, no, I do not," Mórag said plainly, "I do indeed recognize the mechanical girl with you from Torigoth, but I myself have no reason to trust a wandering Salvager and his ragtag band over my own soldiers."
"The worst part is that makes sense," Nia grumbled.
"I see… then there's only one way to resolve this…" Vaios sighed, pulling off one of his gloves and then tossing it over to Mórag. "Let's keep this civil and brief, eh? A duel, you and me, one Blade each. Meaning I won't be using Haze or her ether manipulation. Just a straight fight between us and our primary Blades."
"Civil and brief, hm?" Mórag repeated. As she picked the thrown glove up, she spared a moment to glance from Vaios to Mythra, taking in the fact she quite clearly wasn't faced with the same Aegis as beforehand. "Alright then, I accept the terms you've laid. But if you lose, then you and yours are coming with me in chains, then I'll listen to your story and verify your reason for being here myself."
"You say that like you're going to win," Vaios countered, drawing the Aegis Blade and igniting it, the emerald light illuminating the road.
"Well then, unlike last time, I do hope you won't be holding back," Mórag said as she drew her twin swords, "Brighid, at the ready!"
"Of course!" Replied the fiery Blade, raising her hand towards her Driver.
"Been ages since I fought this one," Mythra chuckled, rolling an arm as she held the other out towards Vaios. "You ready to go, Vaios?"
"Ready as ever. But let's stick to Foresight yeah? No need to go lethal," Vaios took his stance as the others stepped away to clear the space around him and Mórag.
"Got it," Mythra nodded.
"En garde!" Mórag elected to strike first, dashing forward while bringing one blade down as it extended. Vaios sidestepped the strike and countered the follow-up swing from the second sword, running along the length of the extended blades to close the gap. Mórag drew the swords in, blocking with both as Vaios swung downwards, shoving his blade upwards and taking a few swings, both striking and parrying in quick sequence, Vaios getting a few near-hits in as he got past Mórag's guard. He's improved since Torigoth, both in his skills with that weapon and his link to his Blade… Mórag noted to herself as she disengaged.
Vaios flipped back from a flame coated strike from Mórag's blades, responding with a blast of light fired from his sword as he pulled away. He dashed forward again, clashing blades once more as he and Mórag then locked their swords together.
"The Aegis has changed," Mórag noted aloud. "What happened to her appearance? Answer me!"
"If you must know… Pyra was just one side of the Aegis. Mythra here is the 'real' one, to be frank about it. And since you wanted to prattle on about how dangerous their power was back in Torigoth…" Vaios broke the lock, knocking Mórag away with a kick. "I figured I'd show you how it can be controlled. If you don't want me to hold back, anyway."
"Is that so…" Mórag hummed, tossing her left sword to Brighid, the Blade joining her as their aura rose to gold. "Then perhaps you could tell me more once you lie defeated!"
The two whipped their swords out to full, blue flames rising around the Driver and Blade raised the swords high.
"You sure I shouldn't switch in with Pyra? After this foresight, we can…" Mythra was cut off when Vaios shook his head.
"No. I need to prove I can use both of your powers just as well in a fight. So stick with it for now," Vaios said. Mythra sighed, the nodded. As the Foresight kicked in, Vaios shifted to dodge as he saw the arcs the gouts of fire Mórag and Brighid were launching would take, sliding under them as they sailed ahead. And while Mórag was reeling in surprise at how quick his move was, she barely dodged as he shot back up, the energy edge of the Aegis Blade missing by a hair as Mórag was pulled away by Brighid.
"He dodged that?! How?!" Mórag gasped, and as Vaios swung again, she raised her blade to take the strike and stall it. "What point are you trying to prove here?"
"That you don't have anything to fear from Pyra and Mythra," Vaios stated. "I said it in Torigoth and I'll say it again, I won't let anyone use the Aegis as a weapon like they did in the past. It's why we're headed for Indol, so we can reach the World Tree and find what's up there. I've got no reason to even fight you, much less to go about killing Titans."
"You'll be waylaid the entire way by those who would however!" Mórag countered, breaking the lock and reclaiming her second blade, laying into Vaios with a fierce string of attacks from both. "Do you believe you can fend all of them off? Prove to all of Alrest that the events of the Aegis War won't simply repeat?"
"It's my war, so I'll fight it!" Vaios shouted, catching one of Morag's swords with his secondary sword, ramming it into the ground to prevent Mórag from drawing it back as he beat her other sword aside. "And if it means proving to everyone they're not dangerous, then I'll do just that! If the Aegis has the power to destroy the world, that means it also has the power to protect it! That's the Aegis we'll make people remember!"
"While this quite the show, perhaps it also enough!" A new voice called out, Vaios and Mórag looking to the side. What they found was a stout Nopon dressed in dark leathers approaching them.
"I know you…" Mórag said, her brow raising. "You're from the Argentum Guild's Intelligence Division."
"Indeed. Niranira, at your service," Said the Nopon with a brief bow. "Lady Mórag, Sir Vaios, do stand down arms," as requested, the two disengaged their weapons, the air relaxing at least a bit as Niranira looked around, "These not the ones who infiltrate the facility and attack your soldiers. Can also assure you, one of Argentum's finest would not stoop to such lows. Vaios, as member of Inquestor crew, would have no reason."
"Finally, someone who gets it," Vaios nodded along, an eye cracked open to the soldiers, who flinched away at his clearly accusatory stare.
"Then the culprit behind the attack, was not the artificial Blade standing here now. Is that right?" Mórag said, Niranira nodding.
"They very similar, but now the same. Niranira saw her with own eyes," said the Argentum officer.
"I had a feeling we were being watched since our arrival," Dromarch stated, Niranira turning to the group.
"I quite sorry for causing concern. Niranira has been 'auditing' Argentum Trade Guild," said the Nopon.
"Ahh, so you were keeping an eye on us because we came in on a Guild ship," Nia surmised, Niranira nodding yet again.
"How ironic that your suspicion should happen to prove our innocence," Dromarch mused.
"Well again, as said, also trust in integrity of Salvager like Vaios," Niranira added. "Inquestor always do proper work for Guild, and I trust Rakham would not allow one of his to act so… uncouth towards his homeland. I trust even you, Lady Mórag, would recall that man."
"You speak of the mercenary, yes?" Mórag asked, getting a nod. "I did not think he had become a Salvager… to think of all people to meet, it'd be someone who works under him, much less ending up as the Aegis Driver. Had I known that back in Torigoth, my initial judgment of your cause would likely have been different. I must apologize for that."
"Nice to hear even the Captain's reputation proceeds him to such high place," Vaios mused. "But, it's not as if anyone seriously got hurt today… well, there was that Dughall fella' back in Torigoth who's jaw I probably busted…"
"An apology from the illustrious Flamebringer is a rare reward in itself," Azurda stated, Vaios shoving the mini-Titan back into his hood.
"Tora still not happy!" protested the Nopon, "Should get year's supply of Tasty Sausages as compensation!"
"Masterpon, have some self-respect," Poppi muttered.
"I will do what I can within my own means to compensate you," Mórag replied, to some surprise from the group, "By the way, the culprit who fled the scene-might I ask what manner of connection you have with them? You must tell me all…"
"Well, it's a bit… complex," Vaios started, "But…"
After regaling Mórag with the information on Lila that Tora had told them, the Inquisitor took a moment to contemplate it. There was a bit of bated breath as she did, but the nod Mórag gave lifted some of the tension.
"I see. It seems it would be best for all of us if we worked together for the moment," said she, Azurda leaning up onto Vaios's shoulder again.
"Us? Work with you?" asked the Titan.
"Indeed. My goal is to capture the artificial Blade and track down the criminals behind its actions. And from what you just told me, those I seek likely have Tora's father held captive. Our interests align, wouldn't you say?"
"To my own surprise, yes," Vaios hummed.
"Better that she's working with us than against us," Mythra added. "We shouldn't take Brighid's power too lightly. If she went all out on my, even I wouldn't be able to hold back. And then… we'd burn this place to the ground."
"Speaking from experience," Vaios snarked, Mythra punching him in the arm.
"I am honored that the Aegis herself speaks so highly of me," Brighid replied.
"Like Vaios said, I'm speaking from experience," Mythra said, "You may not remember it, but I've faced you a few times before… or I guess, traveled with is more accurate. Let's just say it wasn't easy."
"Well, that's definitely part of things I still don't remember," Vaios hummed, Mythra nodding.
"What do you mean by that?" Brighid inquired.
"That's… even more complex," Vaios admitted, "And would require way too much time to explain… especially since I myself still don't have the full context to explain all of it."
"It's a story for another time, when things aren't so urgent," Mythra added, "What do you say, guys?"
"I can't deny I'd rather avoid making an enemy of them," Nia said, Dromarch nodding with her, while Tora and Poppi raised a wing and arm in affirmation as well.
"So I guess it's settled," Vaios chuckled, holding a hand to Mórag, "Guess we're working together for a while."
"That we are," Mórag took the handshake offered, "For the moment, I will return to the palace. If you learn anything new, please send word. I will instruct the palace guards to all you audience with me. For now, I'm sure you would like to actually rest."
"Sounds good," Vaios nodded, "We'll keep ears to the ground. Plus the local information broker might've heard something."
Mórag nodded, turning on her heel to depart. As they made distance from the party, Brighid glanced back at them, then letting out a thoughtful hum.
"Are you sure you wish to partner yourself with these people?" she asked, Mórag stopping and turning to her Blade.
"Just as you were not using your full strength, neither still were they," Mórag stated, "I felt that what was lacking between Vaios and the Aegis has all but vanished now, meaning your statement of the Blade holding back her Driver seems to have moved on. So, I want to see if that young man will stick to his word; that he can use that fearsome power to protect rather than destroy. How could I not be intrigued?"
"Drawn by your Driver instincts?"
"Something like that. And besides…" Mórag looked back towards the group as they were discussing things, Brighid giving a curious hum. "I get the feeling that if I stay near him, I might bear witness to something quite extraordinary. You feel it to, yes? As if something makes him different from all others in Alrest… almost as if he's just a tad out of place."
"Something does feel… different about this one," Brighid admitted, "But it's something I can't quite parse… different, yet also somehow familiar. Odd… truly odd."
With that surprise venture done and out of the way, the party was quick to make their return to the hotel, intent on some proper rest now that the fatigue from the sudden run was actually starting to set in. The girls certainly felt it had put the time bathing to waste for sure. And as they returned, they found Muimui in the lobby waiting, who they quickly informed of the night's events.
"It sound like you have quite the adventure," said the Nopon. "But it good that you work things out."
"Despite what the plan was it looks like we're helping solve this before getting to Indol," Vaios hummed. "We'll see about tracking down Lila ourselves tomorrow."
"I too will see if I can find any leads," Muimui said. "No matter what, Muimui and friends will find Professor Tatazo!"
"And with that… we really need to sleep," Nia said, affirmatives going all around.
The next morning, the party, now rested and set in how to go about things, gathered again in the lobby of the hotel, taking a table both for breakfast and to discuss how to move forward with their new plan.
"There has to be some information around here," Vaios started, tapping a finger on the table as he pondered it, "Information brokers are usually a good source, so we can at least go to them to see what was going on before we arrived."
"I'm sure some people around here have heard about it," Mythra said, "Why not just ask around the streets like usual?"
"Yeah, but it was nighttime," Nia added, "Doubt many people saw her directly. Plus, considering those lunkhead soldiers mistook Poppi for her, wouldn't help us out much."
"Mehmehmeh!" Tora chuckled, "Time for Tora to show genius skills!"
"What are you planning?" Vaios asked, the Nopon giving him a smug grin. "I feel like I should maybe be worried…"
"Tora sure it must be Dadapon who finish building Lila!"
"As you told us last night," Dromarch said.
"And Poppi made based on blueprints Tora got from Dadapon. So Lila and Poppi use basically same design."
"Meaning they'd be constructed of similar materials," Vaios hummed, a hand to his chin. And then he felt a light bulb go off as it clicked in. "Oh! We should ask around the dealers in Mor Ardain, find out who was buying the materials they'd need to finish Lila. That might lead us to who had her finished."
"Exactly!" Tora cheered.
"Rare good suggestion from Masterpon," Poppi chimed.
"So, Tora, what materials exactly would they need to make an artificial Blade?" asked Mythra.
"Well, ether furnace is obvious, but apart from that, also need…" one could almost feel Tora revving up to go off on a spiel, "Tetra-Circle! Snake Joint! Black Ash! Delta Vessel! Rabbit Diode! Morph Orb! Photonic Coil! Fairy-Tale Belt Pulley!"
"The hell is that?!" Vaios cut in.
"Arc Indicator!" yet Tora continued on his rapid-fire listing. "Insect Chip! Perfect Range Sensor! Bion Connector!"
"Slow down, slow down!" Vaios shouted, reaching over and clamping a hand over Tora's mouth. "We don't need the entire damn shopping list!"
"Nobody's gonna be able to remember all of that," Nia commented with a sigh.
"Tora not even say one-thirtieth of list yet…" mumbled the Nopon through Vaios's hand.
"There were a couple of names in there that sounded familiar, though," commented Azura.
"That Bion Connector was meant to be easy to salvage around Gormott, right?" Mythra asked.
"Yeah, fished a couple up while we were helping Tora finish Poppi after all," Vaios said.
"Actually, almost impossible to find anywhere other than Gormott around this season," Tora said.
"So, no reason to ask about those in Mor Ardain itself," Vaios noted, Tora nodding. "But it means that if someone was going to buy them it'd have to be imported… meaning our best lead would be a port. And if we're talking about a trade port near Alba Cavanich… that means we want to ask around Port Anangham. Lots of cargo was going through when we showed up."
"So starting from there, we are likely to find some kind of lead to tracking Lila down," Nia said, the others nodding. "Well then, I suppose we have our starting point. Let's get to it!"