Chapter One: Sea of Clouds

"# % *#($ %) much blood…"

"#$Y…? $^& $%#) (% STOP!"

"SING! %$^ &^%# $#%$! (#$#* , #$!)$ Witch! #*^ $^ $)^ )!( &0#%!"

"Can't you do *$)#^&+{:#, !)#(o!?"

"#%(0... Pl#!^2... #( s#^&thing!"

"* ()|... * )$(^ {]-+ (#)$ )$/ 0% power…"

"Everyone… please… enough of this folly…"

"Do not concern yourself… with my life… any longer…"


. . .

The soothing sound of the cloud sea. Every morning he woke up to that, and he couldn't complain. This place was as close to a home as he could get. Perhaps it's due to the work he does that Chairmen Bana let him stay on Argentum like a home, yet he would not question the chairmen's choices. Stretching out he gathered his gear and put on his uniform. No morning sun to peek through a window and wake him up so better to do it himself.

The first order of business was to get the supplies ready. Walking out from the Lemour Inn he jumped down the stairs and over the chairman's room to reach the Bazzar. It was only six A.M but most shops had started to open by then. Nopon certainly weren't ones to skim on business. They could give Bianca a run for her money in that regard. Walking up the Central Exchange he came face to face with Melolo. "Elcrest! How is friend doing?"

"Just fine Melolo. How's the supplies?"

"Friend is quite lucky! War supplies come in quite well today! Friend seeking new sword yes?"

"Yup. Normal price?"

"Sadly sword friend requested is quite expensive. It must be double price. Ten thousand gold!"

"Ten thousand huh… Steep but worth the quality." Elcrest took some gold out of a bagwallet and placed it down with Melolo taking it quickly and presenting the sword to Elcrest. "It's worth the amount, I know that for sure."

"Friend make good choice… But why friend not become driver?"

"I'm not interested in that. I'd much rather fight on my own." Elcrest said while taking the sword.

"Does friend plan on fighting in war soon? Cease fire seem like it not last for long."

"I'm not interested in war either. My Sellsword work is purely for cash, but you know I'm not taking any jobs that involve that kind of stuff anytime soon."

"Shame. At least Elcrest able to make living unlike dum-dum littlepon."

"Mm. Anyway thanks for the sword Melolo, I know it wasn't easy to find but I really appreciate it. I got to sort through some paperwork now so I'll talk to you later."

"Farewell friend!"

Elcrest sighed as he walked back up the stairs. A new blade- Er… Sword was one thing. Yet Melolo brought up that question that he's gotten thousands of times. Why didn't Elcrest awaken a blade? He didn't even know if he had the aptitude for awakening one or… If that would automatically let him awaken one. Well he was back at the Bazzar now and took out some paperwork. "That checks out. I'll have to write a few letters thanking those folks for letting me stay there at the inn while I completed that mission. Oh- The Garfont Mercenaries? Why are they contacting me?" Elcrest his fingers up to his chin as he looked at this paper work. Whoever this Vandham fellow was, he was interested in Elcrest. He heard about these Garfont Mercs a few times before, once when visiting Uraya he even got to see one of the mercs in action. Perhaps that's how this Vandham found out about him. "Either way it's not important." He could always answer on his next trip to Uraya. A waitress came up to Elcrest's table and greeted him. A bit debating on what to get from the Rumbletum he decided some 'Tasty Kordeth Samod' was fine due to having gold to spare.

Sometime later Elcrest finally sorted through the paperwork. "Only about five thousand left… My next job is gonna have to be good." Suddenly Elcrest's attention was caught by a certain Nopon. "Pupunin?"

"Elcrest! It has been bit since Pupunin has last talked with friend! How is friend?"

"I've been better. Getting a bit tight on cash."

"Oh? Well it would please Elcrest to know that Chairmen has another important job!"

"Hm" Elcrest's eyes perked up as he looked towards Pupunin. The chairmen normally didn't ask for jobs out of the blue. Something was up. "What's the catch?"

"Oh?" Pupunin tilted his head "What does friend mean?"

"The chairmen normally contacts me ahead of time through different means of communication. I've never heard of you coming to inform someone."

"Pupunin has done so just now! Was telling Rex about important job! Chairmen asked for him personally! He also ask for you after Rex's turn!"

"Rex…" That salvager? Elcrest had seen him a few times around the Trade Guild. Even heard a few stories about the kid sending money to his home. Bana was a salvager once before, right? Hm… "When's Bana expecting me?"

"Bit after… 15:10?"

"... 3 P.M… Got it." Elcrest nodded and started packing up all the paperwork. "I'd better get ready then. See ya." And with that Elcrest was off to wait outside Bana's office.


It had taken a bit for Elcrest to fully understand what had taken so long, but things made sense once he saw two drivers walk out alongside a masked man. The man in black armor stopped, causing the Gormotti to turn around "What's the hold up Malos?"

"You're Elcrest, aren't you?" The black armored man apparently known as Malos eyed him as Elcrest nodded in response. "Heard a lot of things about you." Malos smiled "Talented merc who's beaten some decent drivers. Akhos has been looking forward to meeting you."

"How do you know who I am?"

"The chairmen recommended you to us for a bit of assistance on a mission." The Gormotti said, "Raved on and on about how you're on par with a driver yet have no blade. Quite interestin if you ask me." Malos smiled as Elcrest raised a brow. He knew his accomplishments were nothing to scoff at, but he didn't see the big deal in taking down a few drivers. Before Elcrest could dig for more info the masked man interjected. Waving his hand signaling for the other two to follow.

"It doesn't matter. We have what we need, Akhos can take care of his mission. Let's go."

And like that the three walked off. Only a few moments after a brown haired bow; about fifteen to sixteen, charged out of Bana's office. "That must have been Rex" Elcrest thought to himself. Well now that Bana was free Elcrest walked into the room. "Bana, explain now."

"Meh-Meh?! Why is friend so hostile?"

"You normally contact me ahead of time. Either somethings up or somethings wrong."

"It nothing like that. Bana have important job for Elcrest! Very picky group was looking for salvager from Leftheria, but clients also need good fighter for other job."

"And I'm guessing I'm recommended for this other job?" Elcrest crossed his arms. Bana certainly was shady but at heart the Nopon seemed to have favor for Elcrest. Makes sense, he got jobs done quickly and efficiently.

"Correct! Bana have client explain more." From an open door walked a single man and a AN- no wait… That's just a blade-

"It seems you weren't lying Bana, he does look quite intimidating."

"Hmm I don't know Akhos! Are you sure someone who's not a driver is good for this?"

"If Bana's recommending him he has to be good."

Blade and driver share a special bond, one Elcrest did not fully understand. When fighting, the driver uses the blade's weapon in order to act in combat while briefly giving the blade's weapon back to unleash a massive attack. Putting his fingers on his chin he continued to think while Bana spoke to the driver. "Drivers are no pushovers. It begs the question why Bana would hire me for this job. I've beaten quite a few drivers but I'm not on the same level as one. It's just as easy to find a driver who could easily take this job." Elcrest looked down and took a clock out of his pocket, the clock slowly began shifting to a red circle indicating exactly what he thought. "So that's what it means."

"Bana simply thinks that-"

"I'll take the job."

"Eh?"

"Oh?"

"Haha! Bana knew Elcrest was reliable." Bana exclaimed while Though don't need to-"

"I'll explain" Akhos interjected. "As of late a large amount of core crystals have been stolen by a few people calling themselves 'Core Crystal Hunters'. We've managed to locate their largest stash. The goal is to take the Cores back." Elcrest nodded as Akhos finished up, making him smile. "Seems you really did pick someone worthy of praise, Bana. We leave in one hour. We meet at the return port." Elcrest nodded again. This Akhos seemed to be no push over himself.

"Oh Elcrest! Bana has one more thing! Pay is ten thousand gold! Far more than normal sum you make from mission."

"Quite generous of you." Elcrest turned his gaze to Bana. "What's next, you're paying in advance?"

"Meh? No no! Bana not that generous yet. If Elcrest lives up to expectations Bana think about it for future job." Elcrest nodded as he started walking out. All he needed to do was wait for Akhos after all.


Elcrest stood at the dock awaiting his employer. There were so many things to consider when it came to taking this job. No doubt there were risks, every job had them. In order to find out what it was telling him however, Elcrest needed to take this risk. Eventually Akhos did showed up with his blade, right on time as a matter of fact.. "It seems the script was right after all."

"Why the return port?" Elcrest asked raising a brow.

"Bana set up a ship for us that wouldn't get in the way of the others. He's brought out the Maelstrom over by the exit dock. It seems a lot less time consuming to go this way." Akhos shrugged as he finished up. Pointing to their ship, the three boarded it as Akhos turned to Elcrest "Why did you take this job without question?"

"Bana pays well and I'm curious."

"That's it?"

Obrona cut in "Yeah! There's gotta be some dirt!"

Elcrest chuckled at the comment "Well If these people are stealing core crystals all the more reason for me to step try and help."

"Is that so? Hm." Akhos turned towards his blade and nodded "Well I'm certain if you just follow orders everything will go as planned."

"Not one to stray far from course huh?"

"I'd prefer everything go according to the script. Life is much easier when everything goes as planned, no doubt Obrana can vouch for me there. When Bana told me and the others about you I had a few doubts. I can say due to not seeing you in action I still do."

"Well, here's hoping to put those doubts to rest. Speaking of rest, it's a good idea to get some rest right now. It may still be early but-" Suddenly Elcrest's eyes widened as he drew his sword and blocked incoming strikes from Akhos "You have your own ways of putting those doubts to rest don't you."

"Glad we see eye to eye."

Moving back, Elcrest attempted to use Akhos' forward momentum against him. However, being able to react, Akhos used his second sword to cut Elcrest off. Though when Ahkos thought he had made contact a smile had come upon his face. Elcrest had managed to block the second sword with his gauntlets "Impressive."

"If you wanted me dead you'd do something much safer." Sliding Akhos' sword off of his own while he spoke, Elcrest had kicked Akhos in the stomach. Sending him back a bright light came from Elcrest as he successfully got his sword inches away from Akhos' neck "Who would be dead if this was a real fight" He said while looking down as Akhos' second sword which just so happened to be near his neck.

"Perhaps us both? It's one thing to dodge, but it's another to counter attack." Akhos withdrew his weapons, his eyes scanning Elcrest as he took note of a certain stone slightly above Elcrest's chest. As Elcrest put his own sword away Akhos inquired about the stone. "That light, it was akin to that of a core crystal. Are you perhaps-"

"I'm here to do a mission, not play twenty questions."

Akhos chuckled. "Straight to the point. Good enough for me."

And then the clock struck red. . .

Mission time.