Chapter 32 "Diverging Desires"
Hardly a word was spoken between Noah and Mio following her revelation and subsequent outburst of frustration. The lessons of the City had been both a blessing and a curse to the cat-eared Agnian who barely hadn't enough time to fulfill her newfound purpose of starting a family. Her Kevesi counterpart wished to help, however, he couldn't help but feel like part of the problem.
In the morning, Noah awoke to the sound of Mio descending the ladder from her bunk. Although she caught a glimpse of him stirring, still not a word left her lips while she proceeded to dress. Despite his grogginess, it was obvious to him that a good night's sleep either hadn't occurred for her or wasn't enough to restore her spirits.
"Good morning," the ponytailed soldier called out to her, "I-I hope…"
"I wish it were," Mio's dreary response confirmed his suspicion.
"Please, tell me whatever I can do to help," her trusted partner pulled himself up, unintendedly sounding a little desperate. "I don't like seeing you upset."
"There's nothing you can do," the moonblades-wielder sighed heavily. "It's too late…"
"To do what you wanted," Noah finished her sentence for her in an identical tone. "I'm sorry, Mio. I wish I'd brought us to the City sooner."
"Why must you always apologize?" she turned around, rather suddenly. "I didn't put this on you. It's not like we could've known… about life, back then."
"That's true, but…" he started to gather his reasons.
"You're always taking responsibility, even when it's not your fault," the tenth-termer approached him with her observation which wasn't new between them. "You can't just take my grief away from me."
"I know you need time, er…" the pacifist cut himself off to reconsider his phrasing, "a few days to get over it…"
"Get over it?" she seemed to object to it, nonetheless. "You think it's that simple?"
"I… um, well…" the normally careful Kevesi scrambled for something more sensitive to say.
"Imagine, you've spent your first nine terms taking the lives of others," Mio began pacing in front of him, not completely aware of doing so. "Then you learn you can create new life… only to realize you don't have enough time left."
"That is rough… f-for you," Noah tried his best to sympathize with her, now seated on the edge of his bunk. "It would've been… a way to make up for the lives you've taken."
"That's not all," the zephyr returned to him again. "You've seen how happy and innocent children can be. The ones at the orphanage… they were absolutely precious."
"Especially those two who talked to you," he watched her eyes moisten with adoration.
"Imagine how happy children must be to have parents, the very people who brought them into existence." A warm and fuzzy sensation washed through the cat-eared Agnian while she wrapped her arms around herself. "Think how happy they must be."
"And that's what you want?" the younger deserter rose to his feet.
"I'm jealous," her longing gaze slowly settled on Noah. "I want the family life."
"Is it really so bad that you can't?" his next question dug deeper.
"How can you say such a thing?" the softness in Mio's stance hardened, nearly in disbelief that he'd ask. "It's the way life should've been for us soldiers."
"I know, and I agree," the swordfighter's brows descended momentarily, "but is it not enough that you're free from the Flame Clocks?"
"I should ask the same of you, then," she volleyed without answering herself.
"Huh?" Noah stared at her blankly, having been caught off guard. "What do you mean?"
"You were rather committed to the mission to Colony 19 yesterday," her tone sharpened upon her accusation.
"Yes, I was," the ponytailed soldier denied none of it, though his eyes remained sternly locked on hers. "I'm afraid I don't understand your point."
"Ever since orientation, you've been set on fighting Moebius," his special mate stepped towards him, almost intimidatingly.
"I want to do my part," again, he didn't challenge her claim, "for the City, and for us…"
"But I want you in the City… with me," Mio leaned forward for emphasis, both soldiers mildly aware that they weren't alone in the barracks. "Whatever happened to your wish for a simple life, without fighting?"
"I still want it," the pacifist pursed his lips, nodding once, "and eliminating Moebius will ensure that it happens."
"You think it can be done in the amount of time you've got left, let alone mine?" The cat-eared Agnian continued to invade his personal space, determined to cut through what she perceived as his illogic. "We're not exactly first-termers, here."
"I feel… motivated, nonetheless," Noah held his ground after a thoughtful pause. "If I can make a difference, I should take the opportunity."
"Ugh, I swear, the militia really hooked you," the moonblades-wielder turned to the side in disgust.
"Is that necessary to say?" he scowled at the back of her head. "We volunteered, and anything I did yesterday was on my own volition."
"You volunteered because you felt like we owed them," she faced him again, her expression matching his.
"Mio, we do owe them," his arms were extended for emphasis. "They've helped us so much, as you know."
"Yes, I know," the older deserter huffed back at him, taking umbrage to his reminder. "I'm not some ungrateful brat."
"I wasn't implying," the swordfighter eased up, though slightly. "I just think that we ought to do something. We haven't yet tested our Ouroboros enhancements."
"You're hopeless," her next sigh came short and hotly. With her ears as low as her mood, the agitated Agnian relinquished her end of their stalemate and turned to leave.
"I'm…?" he started to question her verdict. "Where are you going?"
"Someplace where I can breathe," Mio halted briefly to answer before finishing her march out the door. "Do whatever you want."
"But not without…" his following response also fizzled out at the sight of her parting from his company.
The room suddenly sounded so silent to Noah who felt several curious eyes on him. This wasn't the first time that he and Mio had disagreed so deeply, let alone split apart as a result. Now privy to their origins, however, this latest rift between them cut differently, wrought by their apparent, diverging desires. Both soldiers understood each other's motivations, but perhaps that only fueled the frustration.
With their communication in tatters, Noah thought better than to pursue her for another discussion. It was clear to him that Mio still had plenty to sort out, something which she could only do alone. Despite her objections, he proceeded to suit up himself with the intention of volunteering for the City again. Once ready, the solemn swordsman followed the others across the street to military headquarters where the next mission was about to be handed out.
"Is that everybody for this morning? No stragglers?" Reynolds, the short, bearded coordinator with a terminal peered over the shoulders of those who'd shown up. "Right, then, we've got one mission abroad and two activities here at home. If you don't feel like traveling far, please report to either the croplands or the recycling yard."
"Excuse me, sir," one of the liberated soldiers raised their hand. "Where are the croplands?"
"Agricultural district, northeastern corner of the City," he tapped his temple to show them where to go on the map. "Got lots of wheat to haul back, it seems."
"Got it, thanks," they acknowledged before setting off to their destination with a few others in tow.
"Now, onto the bigger task at hand," the bearded man turned to the remaining volunteers. "We received word from our team in Great Cotte Falls that their undercover agent may be ready to sneak soldiers out of Colony 13."
"Uh… sneak?" queried a petite, winged girl from the slightly smaller group.
"Ah, you're not familiar with this kind of mission," Reynolds clicked his terminal to share with everyone information on the upcoming task. "Sometimes we send liberated soldiers like yourselves back into colonies under the guise of being transfers to spread the word about the City."
"Wouldn't that raise suspicions?" another still willing volunteer wondered aloud, this time an Agnian brunette.
"It's risky, of course, but we take necessary precautions, such as utilizing fake Flame Clock lenses," he mimed holding one over his eye. "Anyway, once an agent has attracted enough prospects, they make their escape and we pick them up. That's where you come in!"
"What should we do?" a Kevesi boy with neatly combed hair kept the questions coming.
"Since the team doesn't have transportation, we're sending an additional ship to gather the soldiers," the coordinator explained the next step, "but we need you lot to back them up in case there's trouble."
"Right, we can do it," the male volunteer spoke confidently for his peers, much like how Noah had done yesterday.
"That's what we like to hear," Reynolds championed their attitude before extending his arm to the side. "Step this way. The ship's already warmed up."
At no further urging, the liberated soldiers jaunted through the outdoor corridor to the Levnis pad where their ride awaited them. No sooner had the last passenger hopped aboard than the pilot began lifting the vessel out of military headquarters and above the City's walls. In this fleeting moment, Noah peered out the window to the front plaza below. Seemingly automatically, his eyes were franticly scanning for anyone remotely resembling Mio until the Levnis' thrusters kicked into high gear. As much as he rued their argument, Noah knew to shift his focus onto the mission for which he'd signed up.
It didn't take long to reach the Pentelas region, a convenience of transportation that would've been incredibly helpful to Noah and Mio during their travels. Before Colony 13 appeared in sight, the pilot activated the ship's cloaking device and carefully crested the lush mountain peaks. Near the Great Cotte Falls' first cataract was an island whose space was largely taken by the Ferronis and housing mechanisms for a couple of currently retracted drawbridges. Everything seemed tame at first glance, thus the sneaking ship hovered to an open sandbar where the main team was hiding in the brush. Quietly and gently, the door opened to the group leader who peeked inside.
"You must be our helpers from the City. Glad you made it safely." Whispering into the cabin was a curly-haired, mustached man wearing a khaki pith helmet. "Can we all come in?"
"Oh, uh, sure," the Agnian volunteer backed away from the door as the man and seven other militants huddled inside.
"Thanks," he momentarily removed his helmet to wipe his forehead. "I'm Browell, leader of the City's Great Cotte militia. I assume you've all been briefed on our mission, yes?"
"We have, back at the City," the neatly combed boy confirmed with a nod.
"Good," the group leader started looking around the cabin, "and you all are…?"
"Kyre, sir," the male volunteer answered first.
"I'm Flo," the brunette followed suit.
"S-Stellia," next spoke the winged girl, nervously.
"Noah," the ponytailed soldier offered his name without realizing it, having kept his mouth shut until now. After everyone else in the cabin participated in what'd become an impromptu roll call, a round of Iris registrations was the next order of business to ensure optimal communication.
"Right, now that that's done, let us fill you in on what we know," Browell resumed the discussion of their mission. "As you're aware, we have an agent in the colony who's preparing to bring soldiers back here. However, it's come to our attention that now may no longer be the best time for their breakaway."
"No longer?" Kyre rested his hands on his hips as concern suddenly rose amongst the volunteers. "What does that mean?"
"According to Giret, our agent, they just received a shipment of weapon accessories from the castle," the man in charge relayed the latest intel. "As such, all personnel are expected to be present until distribution is complete."
"Therefore, we're forced into a holding pattern," added one of Browell's militia teammates.
"That we are," he observed several sullen expressions in the cabin, "until Giret and all of his followers are dismissed."
"So, we just… sit and wait?" Stellia inquired almost poutingly, pressing her fingertips together.
"Indeed," Browell's mustache widened with a slowly growing grin. "Not to worry, though. We're not short on snacks."
A test of patience would soon begin with nothing further to say. Over the next few hours, the combined team of City militia and liberated soldiers peered out the limited windows of their cloaked ship. What was supposed to be a simple pickup mission had become one of staking out. By late afternoon, however, a sign of things to come arrived in the form of a request for communications. With a tap to his temple, Browell accepted the call while everyone else hushed and prepared to listen.
"Oi, is it safe for you to speak?" It was the undercover agent as anticipated, whispering in obvious discretion.
"That's what I was going to ask," the group leader leaned to one side. "The Levnis is here and we're all in it. What's your situation?"
"We've gotten our gear," the liberated soldier known as Giret provided an update, "but now the base is bustling with everyone crowding around."
"Rather unfortunate, then," Browell summed it with a disappointed sigh. "Too many eyes on you lot."
"Yeah, but listen…" the undercover agent started to say before pausing, likely to peek around, "I hear tomorrow will be dedicated to testing everything out. They'll use the island on the other end of the water for training."
"Are you expected to participate?" the City man proceeded to the worst case scenario.
"Someone will have to stay here on guard," Giret's stealthy reporting continued despite the colony's close quarters. "Figure that can be us, and then we'll reconvene."
"I was about to suggest just that," Browell subscribed to his idea, scanning everyone's faces in the cabin. "Very well, keep us posted."
"Will do," the undercover agent signed out and resumed his deception.
"Right, you all heard him," the mustached militant addressed the crew upon terminating the call. "We'll lay low for the rest of the day, and tomorrow we'll get them out of there."
"Lay low?" the winged girl fretted at those words. "W-we're not going back to the City?"
"You volunteers aren't going anywhere without those soldiers," he sugarcoated none of his confirmation. "And my team is based here in Great Cotte Falls."
"We weren't informed that this would take more than a day," Flo joined Stellia in fussing over the unplanned extension.
"First time out here, huh?" their boss for the mission presumed with a mostly suppressed chuckle. "It's always a possibility."
"Hmm," the well-groomed boy thought to himself before activating his Iris to call someone. "Hey… yeah, I'm fine, but… I'm not going to be home tonight."
As for Noah who'd long fallen silent again, hearing his cohort's private conversation prompted him to do the same with Mio. For the first time, however, he hesitated to request for communications with her. Wariness from their prior argument aside, the concerned Kevesi tapped his temple and awaited an acceptance.
"Mio…" Noah began softly, facing the cabin wall with slightly bated breath.
"What is it? Are you hurt?" Mio's tone still sounded stilted, though it heartened him that she'd asked.
"I'm fine," he assured her, their conversation starting out similarly to the one beside him.
"Have you gone out?" a slightly disappointed sigh preceded the zephyr's question.
"I'm deployed, yes," her trusted partner swallowed before proceeding to deliver unfavorable news, "and, um… it's going to take more than a day."
"Tch…" An uncomfortably long pause followed her reaction until she added to it. "Tell me when you get back."
"I will," the pacifist promised, trying but failing to come up with anything else to say before her inevitable withdrawal. Such a brief exchange was bittersweet to Noah who'd missed her voice. In the meantime, he prepared himself for a long night alongside his new acquaintances.
With the delay in place, the pilot maneuvered the Levnis to further, safer grounds for the night. Most of the liberated soldiers weren't thrilled with their sleeping arrangements, having grown accustomed to their beds back in the City. Nevertheless, it was a peaceful rest thanks to the din of the falls all over the valley.
Come morning, Noah awoke to find most of his associates for the trip stretching on the grass. With any luck, there wouldn't be any need for combat. Not one to be unprepared, he claimed his own spot for some sword kata until Browell received the call for which they'd all been waiting.
"Clear." One word from Giret was all that was needed for everybody to file back into the soon cloaking vessel and ride to Colony 13.
Hovering stationary, the combined team of City militia and liberated soldiers observed a now sparse passel of personnel populating the plaza. Curiously, a few of the local Kevesis appeared to have been incapacitated on the ground. Once the pilot had carefully landed the Levnis partially on the island's shore, the cloak was deactivated with the door already open to the war's newest deserters.
"This is our ride," the undercover agent stopped in front of it to direct his followers inside. He appeared like an unassuming young man with short, black hair and a pair of glasses. "Hurry so we don't get caught."
"But… there are Agnians…" the closest local Kevesi pointed out fearfully.
"Oh," the brunette looked down upon her white military uniform, having not yet switched to City attire.
"It's okay, they're liberated, just as you'll be once you reach the City," Giret attempted to assuage their apprehensions, though he remained mindful of their current situation. "Please hop in. The jammer on the Ferronis defenses won't last long."
"I'm more worried about Moebius watching us." Browell scanned the area before his sights settled on the soldiers who lied unconsciously in the colony. "Incidentally, what happened to them?"
"They're not with us," the bespectacled boy peered over his shoulder. "We had to knock them out so they won't cause any trouble."
"I feel so bad about that…" another one of his followers lamented in the cabin.
"We can only save those who are willing," the mustached militant spoke frankly before lightening the mood. "With that said, we're glad to have you aboard!"
"Everyone's accounted for, boss," Giret declared upon shutting the door so that the ship's cloaking device could reactivate.
"Good," Browell clapped his hands together once. "Let's go!" Now safely obscured and completely filled, the Levnis lifted away from Colony 13 and headed for the City. It was a slightly longer ride home with the added weight, but everyone was grateful that their escape had gone unnoticed.
"We're here," the former undercover Kevesi informed the newcomers upon their landing at military headquarters under the late morning sun.
"Whoa…" their eyes were wide with wonder, "this is the… City?"
"Indeed," he opened the door and hopped out first. "You can rest easy now that you're within our walls. Moebius can't lay a finger on you."
"Y-you mean our consul?" asked another unliberated soldier, wary of repercussions.
"Yes, all consuls," the group leader specified after exiting himself. "Not sure how much Giret told you, but there's a lot you can learn from the City. Thus, we kindly ask that you attend orientation."
"And afterwards, we'll free you from your Flame Clock," Giret reminded them of the procedure which Noah and Mio had experienced a mere three days prior. "I'll show you around."
"As for you lot," Browell saved the volunteers from being totally ignored, "thanks for helping us ensure a safe passage. Once my team recuperates for a day, we'll return to our post in Pentelas."
"You spend most of your time out there?" Kyre's brows were raised at the militia's dedication.
"Someone has to," his boss for the day stood tall, nearly posing. "Can't let Moebius get too cozy with a particular region."
"Huh, and I hate being away for more than a day," Flo admitted with a slightly embarrassed look.
"Guess that's my cue to dismiss you all," Browell smirked before saluting and turning to leave. "Take care!"
It was a flat farewell at best, especially after what'd become an overnight excursion with virtually no hitches and a successful deliverance of more deserters. Nevertheless, the volunteers were glad to be home again. While most of them soon dispersed into the City streets, some headed back to the barracks, including Noah whose mind had already returned to the unresolved matter with Mio. The mission abroad had provided him with a suitable distraction from the tension, but he wouldn't be satisfied until they could resolve their differences. Now with a chance to do so, anxiety started to consume him upon activating his Iris to request communications with her once more.
"Hey," Noah spoke the moment Mio had accepted, "I'm back."
"Where are you?" her response lacked salutations like last time.
"I'm nearing the barracks," he informed her a few steps away.
"Oh," Mio intonated downward, sounding rather contemplative. "You won't find me there."
"Hmm?" Indeed, the swordfighter entered the large room to find their bunkbed empty. "I see. Well… I'd like to talk, if it's alright with you."
"Not there," the older soldier appeared to accede. Seconds later, Mio sent him her position on the map to his Iris. "I'm outside the City. Will you come to me?"
"Yeah, I'm on my way." Turning about-face, he ended the call and returned to the streets.
The front plaza was bustling with people, a moving maze through which Noah was still not accustomed to navigating. Once past the opened gates, he marched across the dirt path to Mulus Depot where a few citizens were tending to their duties. It was noticeably quieter out here, a plausible reason for Mio's apparent wandering away from the City. It wasn't long before she came into view, seated comfortably in a tuft of grass by the cliffs. A late summer's breeze lifted from the bay while he approached his despondent partner, each step slower and shorter than the last until his shadow came to rest over her.
"Mio…" Noah's voice projected weaker than he'd intended.
"You made it," the moonblades-wielder looked up to him with neither a smile nor a frown. "How'd the mission go?"
"Quite well," the ponytailed soldier folded his arms. "We successfully extricated soldiers from Colony 13."
"Made a difference, did you?" his special mate wasn't quite finished unloading her sass.
"Moebius never showed, so I wasn't really needed," the ninth-termer admitted, somewhat relieved at the fact. A pause not quite as uncomfortable as the previous one between them ensued before he changed the subject. "A-anyway, I did a lot of thinking… while we've been separated."
"As have I," Mio rotated somewhat in his direction, though seemingly with no intention of getting up. "Been talking to some people, too."
"About me?" the pacifist's eyes widened momentarily.
"About me… and you," the zephyr specified, suddenly acting discomposed. "Amazing what different perspectives can do."
"I see," Noah rubbed the back of his neck, a habit from his own shyness.
"Sit with me, yeah?" The cat-eared Agnian patted the grass beside herself invitingly, perhaps expectantly. Nothing further was said, but soon her Kevesi counterpart obliged and settled in his spot. The view of the water was sublime, granting the two youths a moment of respite from their troubles before it was time to sort them out.
Side note:
It seems that Mio had some insightful conversations while Noah was away. These can be read in the fourth chapter of "A Past Life of Noah and Mio: Extras," rated M due to mature topics discussed therein. If you are interested and need help finding it, visit my profile! Thank you!