Chapter 35 "Weight of Death"
The following morning began just like the previous one had, with Mio having gotten up first to prepare a fresh pot of soup. It was only a matter of minutes before Noah awoke, too, bestirred by the aroma pouring into the bedroom. Gone were the days of sharing residency with others since they had this small apartment to call home. Once his consciousness had more or less solidified, he stepped into the kitchenette to keep her company during breakfast.
"Good morning," the younger deserter sprinkled his soft, tired voice into the calm.
"Mornin'," the older one responded with noticeably more pep in hers. "I'm making lentil soup. You want some?"
"Um, thanks, but not yet," he politely declined upon sitting at the table.
"Oh, right," it occurred to her soon after, "you did say that you'd rather not eat so soon after waking."
"I don't mean to make you feel bad," his head lowered slightly, sheepishly.
"I don't feel bad," she took her seat at the opposite end before bringing a spoonful of hot soup to her lips. "Ah!"
"Mi-" the ponytailed soldier started to say her name, frowning sympathetically.
"Well, now I do," the abashed Agnian grinned at her own blunder of having burnt her tongue at breakfast two mornings in a row. "When will I learn…?"
"Did you sleep well, at least?" Noah moved their chat onto something a little more positive.
"Mmm," the moonblades-wielder nodded once, "and you?"
"Yeah," he interlaced his fingers under his chin, exhaling slowly.
"Then we should be in good shape for whatever's ahead," Mio tried her soup again, this time after waiting for the steam to dissipate. Eventually, Noah filled a bowl for himself which brought another, less self-pitying smile to her face.
Once they'd both had enough, they geared up and prepared themselves for a potentially long day abroad. Now that they lived in the central residential district, walking to military headquarters was no longer a simple jaunt. In fact, the day's big mission was already under discussion by the time Noah and Mio joined the small crowd of fellow liberated soldiers.
"As some of you may know, that region's the most active on Aionios." Reynolds, the short, bearded coordinator with a terminal was sharing map data with the others when he noticed the straggling pair. "Ah, have we more volunteers?"
"Yes," the contrite Kevesi confirmed for Mio and himself. "Sorry we're late."
"No worries, but please check your Irises so you can see this, too," the coordinator's tone was mildly stern so as to maintain his concentration. "There's a battle occurring at Gelgemos Garrison in the Cent-Omnia region. We have a team monitoring it for Moebius, but they've requested backup."
"And that would be us?" the pacifist assumed while they inspected the designated map.
"Indeed, you all will take a Levnis there and the crew will tell you what to do," Reynolds relayed what few details were left to give. "We don't know how messy it's gotten, so proceed with caution."
"Will do, sir," one of the other volunteers spoke for the group. Now with a brief moment to spare, Noah observed his teammates for the trip but recognized none of their faces. There were a few who still wore their military uniforms from the colonies which seemed risky for a situation involving both Keves and Agnus. Nevertheless, everyone headed down the outdoor corridor to board the nearby Levnis whose motors were already running. Soon, they were up in the air and on their way to the Cent-Omnia region.
It would be both Noah's and Mio's first time to the largely disconnected heart of the continent, having previously avoided it during their extensive, initial trek to the City. An imposing, frozen summit zipped past their view as they drew closer to their destination where grass and flora still dominated the topography. Built on the side of a mountain was the Gelgemos Garrison and a series of similarly styled gates and pillars. As anticipated, the unusual locale was littered with soldiers, both alive and deceased, along with scraps of metal and other strewn debris of war. Curiously, the Kevesi Ferronis was perched atop an arch while the Agnian one remained at the garrison's hillside entrance. The situation was grim at best, punctuated by patches of black fog along every nook and cranny.
After cloaking their Levnis, the pilot utilized an onboard scanner to search for the already deployed team whose own vessel was likely hiding in plain sight too. Fortunately, it was soon found parked near the Fallen Gate of Ulcaria whose position on a hill offered a strategic vantage point of the battle. Once on the ground, Noah's group hurriedly joined the militants who were skulking behind the pillars.
"Ah, good, you made it," a tall man with brown, wavy hair and stubble greeted the arrivals. "As you can see, Agnus is really making a push for the base."
"Who's fighting?" asked one of the liberated soldiers as they all ducked onto their hands and knees.
"This is the home of Colony 24," his arm extended towards the garrison, "but Colony Omicron wants it for themselves."
"Never known colonies fighting for something like this before," Noah remarked what the rest of his group were likewise thinking.
"This region's got lots of these big ruins scattered about," a woman with a blonde ponytail sticking through a brimmed cap spoke next. "They make for good forts. Been monitoring this one for the past week, and now we see some action."
"You wanted this to happen?" the zephyr slightly tilted her head.
"We don't like seeing soldiers killing each other," the female militant waved her hands, palms out, "but if it's what draws Moebius out of hiding, we'll seize the opportunity."
"So, while we have this moment, let's go over the plan," her male counterpart huddled their helpers together while the other City folks continued to keep watch. "I'm Marius, this is Olivia, and our goal is to eliminate Moebius whom we've already confirmed are in the vicinity."
"Atop the Ferronises?" another volunteer wondered aloud.
"Exactly," the man now known to them as Marius nodded before turning to face the scene again. "At present, we can only take the Agnian one by surprise. The Kevesi one would likely spot us no matter what we do."
"Which means we can expect a fight of our own," Olivia, seemingly the co-leader of the group, added a warning to his briefing. "Ergo, we'll make our move once things start to calm down."
"We shouldn't wait too long, though," the stubbled man contended out of caution as well. "Can't have Moebius skipping out on us."
"Look, just follow our commands and we'll be alright," she turned to the liberated soldiers, nary a tinge of worry in her tone.
After a round of Iris-registering, the large group settled into their stakeout of the battle ahead. Unliberated Kevesis and Agnians were observed spilling red motes all over the place, even around the perimeter where the black fog appeared to be the thickest. Intermittently, one Ferronis fired an ether beam at the other and vice-versa, though every shot between them was easily blocked by what was presumed to be a Moebius' forcefield.
Forty-five minutes would pass before activity in and around the contested garrison began to diminish. Even with binoculars, it was difficult for the team to tell which colony had the advantage since the remaining Agnians had advanced up the ramparts out of view. Nevertheless, the decision was made for the militia to finally make their own move.
"Alright, let's head for the watchtower," Marius pointed to the one that was closest to them, abandoned and positioned behind Colony Omicron's Ferronis. "Once there, our best sniper will climb up and attempt to take a shot at the Moebius."
"Isn't their vulnerable point on the chest?" Mio pointed at her gem, recalling the multiple times she'd experienced the death of a consul. "How will you hit it if they're facing away?"
"This should do." The capped woman reached for a small rock and handed it to a teammate with a noticeable mass of muscle. "We'll catch their attention before firing away."
"And if it's no good, then prepare to fight like she said earlier," the male militant summoned a bayonet modified with Origin metal. "Defenders to the front and rear. Let's go!"
With the orders called out, the combined group of City folks and liberated soldiers descended the hill for the small meadow where the aforementioned watchtower stood near a couple of destroyed Levnises and several husks. Under the cover of the black fog, they reached their checkpoint seemingly without being caught. After climbing the ladder to the top, the sniper aimed a long, thin rifle ahead while their muscly teammate began winding their throwing arm. At a given hand signal, they expertly tossed the rock onto the deck of the Ferronis to commence the ambush.
"Hmm?" Distracted by the noise, Colony Omicron's consul swiveled to find what'd caused it. A woman of thin stature, her embedded core was exposed just long enough for the City sniper to make a successful shot with a dart carved from an Origin metal shard. Before she knew it, the small projectile detonated and caused her to fall to her knee. "What…?! C-City ruffians…!"
"M-Madame Consul?" A previously unseen Agnian soldier, likely the commander, stooped over their severely injured superior whose chest now emitted wisps of penumbral matter.
"Did you hit the target?" Marius sought confirmation from the sniper via his Iris.
"Eyes up!" Olivia interrupted their communication, grabbing everyone's attention. "They're powering the Kevesi Ferronis!" Sure enough, a bright light was growing atop the garrison's arch in preparation for the defending colony's next ether attack.
"Evacuate the watchtower!" he hollered to his perched comrades before addressing the group at large. "Quickly! To the rampart!"
At his exasperated order, the rest of the team ducked behind the base of the garrison. The sniper and rock-thrower were only able to get three-quarters down the ladder when the Kevesi Ferronis fired upon the now unguarded Agnian one. The blast was loud and violent, the giant machine taking the brunt of the attack. Once the dust began to settle, both it and the watchtower were blazing scrap heaps. As for the individuals who couldn't make it to safety in time, the two militants were soon found crawling from the wreckage while Colony Omicron's commander had become the latest husk to harden on the scarred meadow.
"Shite!" the female militant punched the air while her wayward teammates were dragged back to the group for medical attention. "I'm sorry! We didn't take that into account!"
"Yeah, since we incapacitated the Moebius, nobody was left to block another attack," the stubbled man shared in her lamentation. Seconds later, the Kevesi Ferronis fired in the general area again. "And now we've been made."
"We can't retreat until the other Moebius is stopped," Olivia assessed the suddenly dire situation. "Some of us should stay here with the injured, but the rest of you can go onward."
"Right," Marius moved to the front of the group, Blade still active, "into the garrison we go, then."
"Wait," the moonblades-wielder raised her hand, "what'll we do if any unliberated soldiers try to stop us?"
"Just knock them out," his response was brisk, as was his pace up the first rampart.
"Let me stay up front with the defenders, then," Noah likewise sprinted to keep up with him which prompted Mio to do the same. "I can… get them to kneel if necessary."
"Very well," the male militant put up no arguments. Now with smaller numbers, his group bravely advanced into the garrison. Wary of being sniped themselves, they dashed from pillar to pillar to stay out of sight as much as possible. Noah and Mio stayed together the whole way, fully committed to the perilous mission. Their stomachs turned at the sight of every husk on the ground, though perhaps the abundance of them attributed to the lack of resistance during the infiltration. Upon turning the corner, however, they discovered the other reason why they'd been allowed to make it this far.
"There you are! Welcome to the party that you've so discourteously crashed!" Standing at the top of the second rampart was Colony 24's consul, a man of no noticeable distinction beyond a domineering presence. Nearby were five Kevesis whose Blades were pointed at a lone, bound Agnian. "Nevertheless, since you inadvertently helped us dismantle the enemy force, we've saved the killing of the last survivor for you to behold!"
"What makes you think we wish to witness that?" Marius retorted for his group which had stopped in their tracks.
"There is nothing more gratifying than concluding an arduous battle victoriously," the caped hierarch spoke wickedly before addressing his subordinate. "Now, commander, why don't you finish off our quarry here to delight our audience?"
"Yes, sir." The weary but proud Kevesi kicked their captured opponent onto the ground, face-first. Now standing over them, the commander subsequently raised a lance with the sharp end straight down.
"Don't you dare!" Before an order could be given, Mio flung one of her glowing ring swords at their wrist to successfully disarm them.
"Ay! No interference shall be tolerated!" The consul's objection was instantaneous, fists shaking. "Soldiers, dispose of the rabblerousers! Guard your home once more!"
Inevitably, combat commenced while Mio dragged the prisoner out of the way. Although Marius' group barely outnumbered the battle-worn Kevesis, the former were nonetheless kept at bay in trying to avoid killing them. In the middle of it was Noah whose veiled sword soon became an asset. Similar to his unliberated days, he downed two of his former compatriots with merciful slashes to their ankles. Before he could reach the others, however, someone else's weapon locked with his own.
"Well now, look at you," the red-armored boss sneered through his mask after intercepting Noah, "putting on the fancy moves… playing the hero… being a real nuisance!"
"Moebius," was all that the ninth-termer could utter while he reformed his Blade.
"Ouroboros," the consul growled similarly, perhaps mockingly, cognizant of Noah's status. "Don't get used to that power the City gave you. I'll make this quick!" Gripping a sword which appeared no different from a typical soldier's, he began swiping at the liberated Kevesi in search of an opening. However, Noah was careful not to leave himself vulnerable, and soon backup arrived in the form of Marius.
"Hope you don't mind if I cut in!" the stubbled man poked the consul's shoulder with his bayonet.
"I don't mind," Noah gave him some space without taking his eyes off the enemy, "as long as we come out on top." Remembering his practice from yesterday, he focused on his Blade such that it felt like a part of himself.
"Bah! Hardly fair!" Unconcerned about the damage but bothered by the ganging up, the caped hierarch crossed his arms over his face and expelled a sudden wave of red and purple energy. Both Noah and Marius knew exactly what they were witnessing, and within seconds they had a transformed Moebius in their company. "Like ash am I letting you ruin an otherwise fantastic day!"
Rearming himself, the monster now wielded an enlarged, ornate sword with several daggers protruding on either side. Thus, the skirmish resumed with the tables turned for his two prey who found themselves on the defensive. Every swing of the deadly weapon shredded the black fog around them, a force which couldn't be taken lightly. No contact was made amongst the three combatants until the Moebius slammed his sword down upon the male militant's bayonet.
"Gah! I-I'm… trapped…" Marius gritted his teeth, unable to pull his Blade free or even withdraw it. Panic suitably ensued, however, he soon realized that he wasn't the only one who was stuck. Rather than trying to keep him pinned, the Moebius was pulling his own weapon which had become lodged into the stone tiles. With this in mind, Marius glanced over his shoulder to Noah. "Oi! Now's your chance!"
"I don't think so!" their enemy attempted to make an obstacle out of his other bulging arm.
"I'll get you free!" Dodging nimbly, the ponytailed soldier unsheathed his inner sword and performed a downward slice on the Moebius' immobilized hand. Though it wasn't enough to sever through completely, a plume of red motes ejected from the resulting gash, nonetheless.
"What're you doing?!" the male militant questioned the tactic, almost incredulously. "The core! Pierce the core!"
Noah understood the order full well, that he could eliminate the Moebius right then and there. And yet, the normally courageous Kevesi hesitated, moving no more than his snagged teammate and their wide-open target. Never before had he ended the life of another, as per his principles. A thousand thoughts swam in his head, though his mind felt blank during this crucial moment.
In a few blinks, Noah peered down at where his inner sword had gone. The Moebius' core was in pieces, penumbral matter now spewing forth like an unstoppable flood. A distorted scream could be heard, but the hero of the mission was barely paying attention to it. More seconds passed, and soon the hulking frame of the impaled enemy began to dissolve into white motes which glimmered brightly in the black fog.
Barely a breath was taken as Noah became too lightheaded to keep standing. However, a pair of hands reached for his shoulders and helped ease him down to a comfortable sitting position.
"A-are you alright?" the zephyr asked breathlessly, having just sprinted to his aid in time.
"Y-yeah…" the stunned swordsman managed to say. "He's gone… a-all because of…"
"You killed the Moebius?" Mio steadied him in her grasp, their serious eyes now locked together.
"Indeed, and thanks for the rescue," Marius answered for him, now free and only lightly bruised from the tumble. "What's the matter? Never killed a Moebius before?"
"I-I've never… killed anyone before," Noah clarified with a shaky voice, in denial of actions that could've only been his own.
"Not even a soldier before you were liberated?" the stubbled man interrogated him, receiving a meek nod in response. "Well, all hands are bound to get dirty sometime. You'll get used to it."
"Will I?" the now former pacifist wondered while Marius went to check on the rest of the crew.
"I think you will," the older and more experienced of the two deserters scooted closer. "No death is ever easy to handle. At least the one you killed was Moebius."
"Right," he gladly surrendered to her embrace.
For the time being, they sat and listened to their nearby teammates attempting to persuade the five remaining local Kevesis to come home with them. Although those particular talks were ultimately fruitless, the sole survivor of Colony Omicron whom Mio had saved was desperate enough to join them on their way out of Gelgemos Garrison. As for her and Noah, a good, solid rest at their apartment was the only thing occupying their minds on the ride back to the City.
Cheers punctuated the elation that awaited the volunteers when they disembarked their Levnis at military headquarters, word of their success having arrived before they did. Injuries aside, the mission had been accomplished with at least one, possibly two Moebius taken out of the picture. Still unnerved, however, Noah slunk out of the gathering of citizens with Mio before Marius and Olivia could herald their heroics. While the unliberated Agnian was taken into the militants' care, the two deserters began their long walk through the City to the central residential district.
"Hey, are you okay?" Mio checked with Noah again once they were safely inside their apartment.
"Yeah," her trusted partner immediately retired to the couch, "though you already asked."
"Sorry, I meant are you okay, like… deep inside?" the moonblades-wielder clarified as she sat next to him. "We're home now. You can tell me."
"I know." Drowning in desolation, Noah stared at his palms which shook ever so slightly, the weight of death heavy to hold. Mio's own hands returned to his shoulders, this time for gentle squeezes while he gathered his thoughts. "It feels like… I lost a bit of myself out there. I-I'm confused by my actions."
"I hear you," her tone dipped empathetically, "everything you stood for…"
"Have I betrayed myself?" a self-posed question emerged from his introspection. Unable to figure it out, Noah turned in her direction and was met with a similar, saturnine expression.
"You know yourself best," the tenth-termer refrained from answering herself, searching for a different way to tackle the quandary instead. "Were your intentions betrayed, though?"
"That's just it, I'm not sure" the ponytailed soldier momentarily shut his eyes. "It's almost as if… I blacked out, a-and then… the Moebius was dying in front of me."
"Well, like I said earlier," she slid an arm down his back and closed the gap between them, "at least it was a Moebius, our enemy, not a soldier."
"You're right." It took him a moment to agree, her warmth diluting the remaining chills from his body. "That's one less tyrant controlling soldiers' lives out there."
"That's what I think you ought to focus on," Mio suggested sternly but softly, glad that Noah didn't appear to be sulking for too long this time. "You may not ever get to see it for yourself, but for anyone who would've been affected by him, you've improved their lives a little bit."
"And you saved a life in the midst of everything," he took her cue of looking on the bright side.
"So did you," his special mate pecked him gently on the cheek. "We both did well today."
"Thank you, Mio," the former pacifist paid her back before resting his head against hers. "I needed this."
"It's the least I could do," the zephyr sighed contentedly, smiling, eyes soon closed. "You've always been here for me."
Both deserters felt the tensions of the mission gradually ebbing away while they snuggled together in quietude. Having done their part for the City today, Noah and Mio were only too glad to spend the rest of the late afternoon this way. In fact, neither one of them were opposed to the idea of sitting all of tomorrow out as well, to allow him time to untangle his thoughts, to unwind. Perhaps a completely new activity was in order, or at least something noncombative for their next mission.