Preparing Route to Next Traveling Trip
The next day has come for Rana and Rex's group as they are ready to move on for their journey, and they all met up with Cole who is going to give them something that could help them get to Elysium.
"Rana, are you alright?" Rex asked his little brother.
"I think so, that drink I had certainly left me a headache." Rana answered, still feeling the pain of the hangover.
"(Yes, and other things.)" Cattleya thought blushed from the memory of last night, she hopes they don't do something like that again any time soon.
"Glad to see you're all here." Cole said, walking up to them along with Iona.
"Take this." Cole handed Rex an item that appeared to be a weapon or something.
"What's this?" Rex asked.
"Take it and go to Indol. That dagger's owner will tell you how you can get to Elysium." Cole said.
"Hold on, that's a Blade's weapon. How do you have a Blade's weapon unless you're the Driver, or maybe you're holding onto this for the Blade." Rana wondered, getting a strong feeling that Cole is more than he appears to be.
"That is a Blade's weapon, and it belonged to the man who was once my Driver." Cole mentioned.
"Your Driver?" Rana was confused as did most of the others until Cole open his shirt to reveal a Core Crystal on his chest, but this crystal is different than the normal ones because it's red and blue mash together.
"Cole is a Blade. We fought together in the Aegis War. Yes… His real name is Minoth." Azurda recognized the old man now, a Blade who was once a comrade in the war against Malos.
"But… If that's true, then why does Cole or Minoth or whatever looks like he grew really old. Blades don't grow old." Ymir pointed out.
"Yes, what happened to Cole?" Tora asked.
Because I'm one of the cursed ones. A Flesh Eater." Cole answered.
Hearing that causes Nia to gasp in shock that she never thought she would find someone like him calling himself a Flesh Eater.
"A Flesh… Eater?" Rex was confused, having no idea what that is.
"Oh my, that sounds like a sad tale." Airi commented.
"A Blade who has been fused with human cells. A long time ago, before the war, some sought to test the limits of Blades' potential. I am a product of their experiments. One of the unlucky ones who was tainted by their folly." Cole revealed his origin of what he is.
"I can't something like that is even possible!" Swan was shocked by this.
"Something that feels disgusting to even do that to a Blade." Ymir expressed that she did not like how it sounds.
"Why would ancient people do that?" Tora asked, wondering what the people from back then were thinking.
"Maybe there were people who were greedy for people or whatever." Risty guessed with a shrug.
"It seems that by combining Blade and human, it is sometimes possible to create Blades with extremely unique powers. But only very rarely. Most experiments were failures, and I was no different. I gained nothing at all and lost my immortality to boot. I likely won't last much longer." Cole explained the downside of the experiment he went through centuries ago.
Iona looks sad knowing that the old man she has come to love as family is gonna be gone sometime in the near future.
"Before I go, I want to see where your path ends. That dagger will aid you. Will you do this for me?" Cole requested, wanting to see if these two boys and their friends can bring about a new era for Alrest.
Rex and Rana look at each other for a second already knowing what they are thinking, they nod at each other before looking back at Cole.
"We'll do it, but on the condition of something you do in return." Rana said.
"Namely?" Cole wondered what the boys could want.
"Well, you're good at making plays." Rana said, and allowing Rex to speak as well.
"We were wondering if you could write a play about Vandham." Rex requested the old Blade.
"About Vandham?" Cole was surprised to hear these kids want a play about Vandham.
"Yeah. I think his story would inspire a lot of people." Rex believed, considering how that very man inspired him and Rana to become so much more than they realize.
"Once we find Elysium, we'll come see you again. Show it to us then?" Rex said.
"Vandham was like a dad to us even though we only known each other for a short time, could please make a good play about him?" Rana asked.
"An interesting notion… Perhaps that is the least I can do. Very well, I'll do it. So, see you make it back here in one piece, understand?" Cole smiled, seeing these boys have really come to care for Vandham and the time they spend together.
Yes, perhaps making a play about Vandham would be a great thing Cole could do in his final remaining years in this world even though the man himself may not like getting the attention that much.
"Absolutely. You have our word!" Rex nodded.
"I have a really good feeling that your next play is going to be awesome!" Rana smiled, making the old Blade chuckle.
And with that done, the party group left the city to continue with their journey by trying to find a way to Indol to meet Cole's former Driver.
(Indol)
Indol, the dragon-like Titan that flies above the Cloud Sea, the home of the worshippers to those who believe in the God who created the world itself.
And one man who is the leader of the living continent is alone within a large room praying his heart out for the safety of Alrest to the emblem that represent the World Tree itself, and the God who lives there.
(Back with Rana and Others)
Rana and the group decided to make their way to Garfont Village wanting to make sure that everyone there is going to be alright with Vandham gone, and they are relief to see that the village is going to be in good hands.
"So, how do we get to Indol?" Rana asked.
"I've never been there myself, so I wouldn't know." Ymir said.
"We heard of the place before, but we never bother ourselves to going there." Risty said and Swan nods to confirm.
"I reckon the quickest route is… Back to Argentum, ship to Mor Ardain, then on to the Praetorium." Rex planned the route to make their way to Indol.
"If we're lucky, there'll be a Guild ship at the port." Azurda hoped they could take a ship free of charge.
"A free ride does sound nice, certainly much better than buying ourselves a ship." Cattleya agreed to that.
"Is doesn't cost anything?" Pyra was surprised to hear that they can take a ship without paying.
"When you work as a Salvager, you can get a Guild ship without playing anything. You could say it's like a really big employee discount." Cattleya explained to Pyra.
"Can others go on board as well?" Airi asked.
"Sure, with us being there." Rana nodded.
"Then it would seem that luck may as well be on your side but do be careful if the Cloud Sea doesn't take your soul." Airi warned.
"Please, we sailed plenty of times out in the Cloud Sea and fought some danger even before meeting Pyra and the rest of our friends, no cloud is going to take us that easily." Rana smirked.
"Oh, that reminds me, I wonder how the other Salvagers are doing since the incident with the old ship?" Rana asked, hoping those guys are alright.
"I'm sure they're fine, little brother. They were able to get away before the fight could reach them." Rex assured him that everyone who was there at the time are alright.
(Argentum Trade Guild)
The group arrives at the port of the trade guild without any problems along the way, which is good because they don't need t deal with anything serious right now.
"Hey! It's Rex and Rana!" One Nopon spotted the brothers coming this way.
"The mother Blade Cattleya is here too, alive and well!" Another Nopon said.
"Brothers and mother Blade have many sidekicks now." The third Nopon saw they have other people with them now.
"Quite the little celebrity your family is, aren't we?" Nia teased Rex a little.
"We've done some trading here in the guild for a while, we made some good friends here and there and done some things that most would be impressed." Cattleya explained.
"Come on, you guys can make your way to the inn while we go see if we can find ourselves a ride there." Rana said.
"Sounds good, see you around then." Nia nodded and the group split up.
"Come on, we should search at the Goldmouth Flight Deck." Rex suggested.
Rex and his brother along with their Blades went to the deck to find themselves a ship that will take them to Mor Adian as some of them look like they could do the big, but they went a ship tht can just take their group.
"That fellow looks like he could provide us, Master." Airi pointed her scythe at one ship.
"Good eye, Airi." Rana nodded.
"Now Rana, I know you said that Salvagers can go sailing in these ships for free, but I'm concerned about the others since they're not Salvagers. I'm afraid we might have to pay for them if they wish to come along." Cattleya said.
"Oh, I haven't thought about that." Rana realized that might be the case.
"I hope it won't be too expensive." Pyra said.
"Shall I suck his soul, and we'll take the boat for ourselves, Master?" Airi offered a ghostly idea.
"No! No! We are NOT doing that; it wouldn't be right." Rana immediately turned down the idea.
"Now Airi, you should try to think about how Rana would feel about these sorts of things as he doesn't want to cause trouble." Cattleya scolded the maid Blade.
"Oh, I see. I apologize for upsetting you, Master." Airi apologized to Rana, having understood what Cattleya just told her.
"It's fine, just don't suggest something like that again." Rana ordered a little.
"Come on, let's go see that ship." Rex said as they walk over to the Nopon who is operating the ship and doesn't seem to have a line, that means they can request the use of the ship.
"I'm looking to board a ship headed for Mor Ardain. Have you got any space free?" Rex requested to the Nopon named Murmur.
"Not to worry, friend. Plenty space! You traveling alone?" Murmur asked.
"The two of us are Salvagers and these three women here are our Blades. There will also be other people making us a total of…" Rana counted to the number of the group. "14 people."
"Mem-mem-mem! That's a big group!" Murmur said in shock.
"Will that be a problem?" Cattleya asked.
"No, no. Still plenty of place, and I offer special discount for group travel. Let everyone board as much as like for total 3000G." Murmur offered the discount.
"3000, I figured it would be that much." Rana said.
"At least we have to money to pay for it from our savings and such." Cattleya took out the purse and paid the money to Murmur.
"Thanks kindly. Let Murmur known when friends ready to board and we set off ship-shape." Murmur smiled.
"That guy sure makes a bargain we can't resist." Rana commented as they walk away.
"Sure does, but now we can tell the others that we got a ship." Rex said.
"How long we rest up before setting sail?" Rana asked.
"I believe it should be soon though not too soon; we'll go first thing in the morning." Cattleya suggested the time.
"I'm okay with that, we wouldn't want to arrive in the middle of the night where something could happen once we get there." Pyra agreed to that.
They arrive at the inn where Nia and the others are waiting for them at a table to inform them the good news about their travel to Mor Ardain.
"Good news, we got a ship!" Rana smiled.
"We're heading out tomorrow. Everyone, make sure you're ready by then!" Rex advised.
"Please, I'm always ready!" Risty smirked.
"We'll make sure to get up at the right time." Agate promised.
"In the meantime, we'll have ourselves some food. I'm starting to feel hungry." Ymir said, wanting to have something to eat before they do anything else.
Everyone made their order to have some food at their tables, Pyra smiles upon slurping on the tea that feels good in her mouth.
"The tea here is lovely." Pyra complimented.
"You can find quality goods here from all around Alrest. You like the place?" Azurda asked.
"Yes. If there's time before we leave, I think I'll have another cup later." Pyra said, really liking the tea.
"I can get you the blend for the tea, we can make some together whenever you feel like it." Cattleya offered with a motherly smile.
"Oh, no, I wouldn't want t trouble you." Pyra said.
"It's nothing to worry about. One must have something to keep the mind calm as possible." Cattleya stated.
"Mmm, feels so good to rest in a proper inn after a long voyage!" Nia stretched arms a little with a smile.
"Traveling can be fun, but it's always nice to have a roof over your head." Rana said.
"And it's good to be on familiar shores again." Rex added.
"What do you think Mor Ardain is like? We've never been there before." Rana asked his big, adopted brother.
"Don't know, I only about the place a few times like how it's hot, but I'm sure there will be some nice places we can see once we get there." Rex said.
"I heard that the emperor is a kind young man who wants to make peace. Maybe we'll get to see him." Cattleya interested in seeing what the emperor looks like.
"We'll know once we get there." Rana said.
Later, it was time to turn in for the night in the rooms they rented for them to sleep in, two rooms for the girls and the one room for the guys since it's not a big group.
"Well, we may not have planned to visit Mor Ardain any time soon, but it looks like the time is tomorrow." Rana said.
"I do hope the country is still fine, it's one of the biggest Titans in the world." Azurda pointed out.
"I'm sure it'll still be standing by the time we get there. Now, time to sleep." Dromarch said before letting out a yawn and fell asleep followed by everyone.
(Morning)
The boys are sound asleep from the peaceful night that went by, everything is mostly quiet with some soft snoring.
But for Rex, he felt something a little off with his left arm that causes him to open his eyes and gasp when he Mytrha, out and on the same bed as him with his arm being snuggled between her breasts like a teddy bear.
"(Wh… Why is she here?!)" Rex thought wondered with his cheeks blushing like shit crazy.
Mythra started opening her eyes to see Rex's face though nothing at first, and then realization clicks in as she screams in shock with Rex doing the same as they sat up.
"You! How did you-?! Wha…?! What are you doing in my bed?!" Mythra demanded to know.
"Wait, I…" Rex tried to explain that Mythra's in the guy's room, but Mythra didn't listen as she screams and went over to a table with stuff to start throwing.
"Hey, what's going—OW!" Rana woke up only to get hit in the head by a potted plant thrown by Mythra.
"Get out! Interloper! Monster!" Mythra demanded as she kept throwing things at Rex, one cup hit Tora on the head.
"W-Wait a minute, would you-Owww!" Rex was hit by his own helmet, but he recovers quickly. "Y-You're the one in my room! The guys' room, see?!" He pointed out.
"…Huh?" Mythra was confused until she looks around, finally realizing that she is in the guys' room.
"…I can't believe it… I did it again… I am such an idiot!" Mythra groaned as walk towards the door.
"Hm… Is this what they call sleepwalking?" Dromach asked.
"I think so…" Rana groaned from the pain of that potted plant.
"Oh, Mythra! I was wondering why I didn't find Pyra in the room." Cattleya was relieved to see that Mythra is okay.
Mythra turns around facing Rex with a glare and blushing cheeks.
"You were staring." Mythra said. Rex was shocked by her saying that even though he did see her breasts close up which is what she saw. "Pervert!" She said before leaving.
"Oh dear, it looks like something happened." Cattleya noticed the state of the boys' room.
"More than you know." Rana rubbed his face while Rex is completely dumbfounded that he was called a pervert by Mythra.
KO a new chapter is done and hope you all enjoy it!
Everyone is getting ready to make their next move to Mor Ardain as their next stop as they registered a boat for them and had a good night sleep, but it looks like Rex has discovered another thing about Mythra such as sleepwalking to another room to snuggle with him.
KO comment, favorite, and follow through of how this story will go!