Chapter 22: Family time.
Noah POV
"What the fuck took you so long!?" (Oh gee, I don't know, maybe your incompetent construction team failed to repair basic signs?) I couldn't help but think bitterly. Though I did eventually respond. After all, someone had to tell them about their new niece. It was just my job to do it, apparently. "I got lost. Now before Neptune gets here, and gives IF an aneurism, there's something i need to tell you all." That got their full attention. "While Neptune and I were playing with some children, we came across one that was excluded from the others. Long story short, Neptune decided to adopt her." I smirked smugly.
"Congratulations, you're all aunties now." Compa simply smiled wider than I'd ever seen, while IF's eyes looked as if they might bulge out of her head. Blanc smiled as smugly as I did, or at least she did for a moment. "That includes you too, Blanc. Someone needs to babysit when little Freya's mum and dad are away." The look of shock on her face was priceless. "'Freya' that's her name then?" Compa asked. "Yes, it's what she said her name was." I responded. "Did you actually go through the adoption process? Or is this entire thing on one of Neptune's whims?" IF asked, somehow keeping it together.
"In a way, yes. Though our little Freya also expressed a desire to be adopted, the little one even made me pinkie promise." I ignored Blanc's whisper of 'fuckin' pushover' (Huh, that does raise an issue.) "Blanc. You better watch your tongue around little Freya." The goddess of Lowee looked at me as if I killed a puppy. "Who the ffffffff-frick do you think I am!? Besides, why the h-heck am I involved!?" Didn't I already say? "We need someone to babysi-" I was interrupted. "I know that! But why me?" (Ah yes, why indeed.) I jokingly thought. "There is a perfectly good reason for that. Little Freya is special."
They all tilted their heads.
"I mean actually special, not just because she's technically my daughter, according to both her and Neptune anyway. She's like Compa." IF and the nurse in training paled, while Blanc looked confused. (Ah, right, she doesn't know.) Eh, I'd leave that one to good old IF. "To put it simply, there are some that would seek to harm her as she holds a great power." I began, turning to the Goddess of Lowee. "You're strong, the strongest person on Lowee that I know of. With you also being Lowee's Goddess, I'd know my little girl would be safe with you." I finished, making sure to put emphasis on the fact that she'd be looking after someone who would end being my child.
The short Goddess appeared to think things over for a second. "Eh, fuck it, I'm not opposed to it, I guess. Besides, you'll owe me a shit ton, right?" I nodded. "You're damn straight you will!" There was a sudden loud noise. "Heya everyone, guess what? You're all gonna' be aunts now!" (Just in time.) "Too late dear, I already told them." Her pouting face was cute. "Darn!" Neptune had appeared, and with her was our soon-to-be daughter, Freya. Said little girl was let down from Neptune's shoulder, wherein she quickly made a B-line for me.
"Papa!" The little girl shouted, hugging my right leg. "Hello little Freya. Did you enjoy seeing the sights with your mother? I asked her, softly petting the top of her head. "Yeah! Mama showed me this funny food called 'pudding' it was all jiggly and yummy!" (I guess Neptune can keep her pudding privileges now. She made little Freya happy, so I guess I could allow it.) I was then literally shaken from my thoughts; my leg being shaken with urgency. "Um, papa? Who are those people?" I couldn't help but smile. "Those, little Freya, are your aunties." I began, before pointing to Compa.
"Freya, say hello to your aunty Compa,-" I then pointed to IF, then Blanc. "-aunty IF, and aunty Blanc." After introducing them, I saw an orange blur land on Freya's shoulder. "And that, little Freya, is Suzaku. He's very smart." The small creature nuzzled his face into the young girls', showing her that he was friendly. "Aww he's so cute papa!" The little girl continued to giggle loudly as Suzaku continued to nuzzle and tickle her. With her distracted, I motioned for IF and Compa to cover for me, the two girls understanding my gestures and moving closer to the Freya.
I nodded my head at Blanc, who returned said nod. Afterwards I ended up following her to her room. "There's not that many orphanages in Lowee, so I can quickly track down her previous caretaker. That way we can do things properly." I nodded. "That would be appreciated, thank you." The Goddess of Lowee somehow brought up a holographic display from nowhere. (Where the hell did that come fro-) "Before you ask, Lowean magic is extra bullshit." (Oh.) The short Goddess typed away at her magic display, humming some unknown tune as she did so. Though due to her own admission of there only being few orphanages in Lowee, her typing didn't last long.
"Found it. Freya's from an orphanage called 'Hylia' and was taken care of by someone called 'Zelka'. If you want to do things properly, you'll have to go there." The Goddess of Lowee spoke, before looking at me questioningly. "Are you sure about this though? About adopting Freya, I mean." She asked. To give credit where credit was due, she had a point. "It is a big responsibility, that's obvious. Yet despite that, I am completely sure of my decision. Neptune can be quite immature at times, but she would not give little Freya hope of being adopted if she didn't mean it. "
Neptune must have believed herself and I capable enough, otherwise she would not have agreed. I was nervous, I can't deny that, but I was still sure of myself. "Besides, it won't be only us two. Compa, IF, as well as you, little Freya will have all of us to guide her through life." I spoke. Raising little Freya would not be easy, not in the slightest, but we would try our absolute best. "What about money? You can't raise a kid on love alone." Once again, she had a point. However... "I could easily find work, either with my skills or using my reputation." There was also the leftover funds I had from what Singe gave me back in Lastation.
While said leftover funds wouldn't last forever, they certainly wouldn't run out quickly. I didn't know where Singe actually took the money from, or how he managed to get it so quickly, but I wasn't one to complain. "Damn, didn't expect you to be the type who threw his weight around." Now that was just plain rude. "I wouldn't do it normally, but I will do what I must." Freya was a living, growing person. A literal child. If I was seen as a right prick for using my reputation to earn money to take care of her, then so be it.
Blanc blinked confusedly. "How old are you again?" I found myself blinking as well, not expecting her response. "Er, 17, maybe 18?" My age wasn't really something I talked about. Nor was it something I was usually asked. (Come to think of it, I haven't really been keeping track of time either...) How much time had passed since I found myself in this world wasn't something I knew particularly. Though I knew it had been at least a month. (At least I think it has?) "The fuck do you think you're doing!? Adopting a kid at that age, what the hell is wrong with you!?" Blanc shouted.
"I don't know, do you know how my life normally goes?" By this point I had not only been in countless life-or-death fights, but I had also killed a man. I had saved 3 out of 4 of the continents that made up the world from one conflict or another, as well as had the powers of literal Gods at my disposal. Compared to that, adopting a child was nothing new.
"...Okay, you have a point there." Blanc began, eyes half-closed in an 'I'm not impressed' look. "Now why don't we go pay Zelka a visit?" She finished, pointing her thumb at the door. "Yes, I suppose you have to come with us?" Considering she was the only one who knew her way around, it made sense. "Yup. Someone has to make sure you don't get lost. Besides, with me there hopefully Zelka will be more likely to allow for Freya to be in your and Neptune's care." Huh, wasn't that kind of her. "You will owe me, of course. Same goes for when I have to take care of the little brat. " Aaaaand there it is.
A few minutes later. Location change: main floor of the central Basilicom.
"Hello dear, didya' find out where we have to go?" Neptune asked, being the first to greet Blanc and I. She had Freya on her shoulders, with Suzaku being on top of the little girls'. Said little girl's smile seemingly widening the second she saw me. "Yes. We found out where little Freya's home is. Now all we have to do is go over there and go through the adoption process." Neptune and Freya appeared to vibrate in excitement. "Huh, and what do we do after that?" IF suddenly asked. Fortunately for her, I had a plan.
"Well that's easy. Once Freya has legally been adopted, we can leave her with her aunty Blanc for a bit while we head over to Planeptune to free Histoire." I didn't like leaving Freya alone so soon, but the quicker I dealt with Histoire, the quicker things would be over. (Wait, why is Neptune shaking her head?) "Nope." What did she mean? "What do you mean 'nope'?" Seriously, just saying 'nope' didn't tell me anything. "I mean nope! I ain't gonna leave our precious little girl alone so soon."
The purple-haired girl then took Freya off of her shoulders, before giving her a seemingly tight hug. "She's gonna need her mama!" (Huh, this is new. Who knew Neptune had such exceptionally strong maternal instincts.) Seeing no reason to deny her, I nodded my head. "If you want to stay with her, I won't stop you. After all, you're right." I began, seeing what she meant. "What about you two?" I finished, gesturing to Compa and IF. Both girls nodded their heads also. "Yeah, no offence to Histoire, but I'm not missing seeing Neptune act like a mother." IF spoke. "Yup! Frey-Frey is going to need her aunty Compa!" The nurse-in-training spoke.
(Huh, guess I'll be the only one going...) I did feel guilty, despite my reasoning. (No, don't think of it like that, you'll be back soon enough.) I told myself. "Well then, Neptune, Blanc, as well as you, little Freya. What say we get going?" I asked. After all, I had a few questions for that caretaker. """Yup!/Okay papa!/Come on then, let's go."""
Location change: Hylia orphanage.
(Huh, this place looks surprisingly nice.) The orphanage was surprisingly fully intact, with no signs of there being any construction work done. Walking up to, and knocking on, the front door, I heard the scattering of numerous pairs of feet, followed by plenty of noise. "Okay everyone, quiet down so I can see who it is." After the louder, more grown-up sounding voice spoke, the rest of the noise halted. The front door suddenly opened, revealing a woman of average height with blonde hair and blue eyes.
"Oh hello, I see you've found our Freya. Thank you for bringing her back, I was just about to leave to go find her myself." Her voice was calm, with no worry being present, despite the circumstances. "Actually, miss Zelka, Zed and Neptune here would like to adopt her." Blanc spoke, the blonde woman looking very surprised at her words. "Oh...I mean that's wonderful and all, but, um, do you know about her little...Trait?" I suddenly felt like snapping the woman's neck. (She fucking knew!?) If she did, why didn't she stop Freya being excluded? Why did she let her suffer like she had? (No...no, calm down. You don't know the full story yet.) Yes, of course, there had to be a perfectly reasonable explanation for it. "Of course we do silly, little details like that don't matter." Neptune spoke, holding Freya gently to her right leg.
I breathed in and out slowly, attempting to calm myself. "Little Freya has adhered herself to mine and Neptune's hearts. We are completely sure of our decision. Though if you do not mind, I would like to have a few words with you." I needed to know the situation, as for all I currently knew, Zelka could be incompetent as a caretaker. "A-ah, sure thing. J-just let me take the little ones to bed first." Zelka spoke. To her merit, it appeared to be getting late. "Sure, just don't take too long." Blanc spoke.
She did not, in fact, take long.
"Um, feel free to come in. I'll take you to my office, we can discuss the details there." Zelka spoke. Doing as she said, we all walked into the orphanage. I wasn't sure about the others, but I for one didn't look around much. (We'll be out soon enough anyway.) Fortunately, it wasn't long until we reached her office. "Um, apologies, but Freya can't be present. She will have to wait outside." I glared at the woman. "Very well then. Neptune, be a dear and wait with Freya, while Blanc and I sort things out." I asked the purple-haired girl.
"Sure thing honey." I gave her a hug, with Freya being in the middle. "I'll see you both soon. Freya, be a good girl and behave for your mother, okay?" The little girl nodded, holding Neptune's hand as they both waited, while Blanc, Zelka, and I, entered the office. "Welcome, feel free to take a seat you two." Neither of us did. "You mentioned Freya having a 'trait. Is it fair to assume you know of the voice in her head?" I asked. "Ah, yes. Little Freya mentioned it to me when I first noticed how the other children appeared to leave her on her own." The woman began.
"I asked her about it, and she said that a voice called 'Arti' talks to her. I tried asking more questions like what does this 'Arti' say to her, but Freya stayed silent." She continued, looking down shamefully. "I suppose I just didn't know how to deal with it. I tried sending her to a psychologist, but they said she was completely fine." That's it? "I tried telling the children to play along. But being children, they didn't always listen..." Maybe she had a point, but that didn't mean I was happy with how things were.
"There's nothing wrong with her. I know what that voice in her head is, and trust me, nothing's wrong." The woman's eyes widened. "Y-you know? Please tell me!" She pleaded. (Tch, as if.) Unfortunately, whether fully justified or not, I was feeling spiteful. "Yeah, no. That kid has issues because of you." the coldness, the hollowness. No child should have eyes like Freya did. "Hey! Calm down Zed!" ...Huh? "Uh, what?" Was something wrong? "You're scaring her!" Blinking, I looked towards the blonde-haired caretaker. Blanc was correct, she was shaking in fear. "You should really cool it with the glares, otherwise even Freya will be scared of you." I...was glaring? "Uh, sorry?" I felt the opposite, what did I do to deserve having to say sorry? "A-anyway, you wished to adopt Freya?" Zelka asked shakily. I nodded. "Yes. My future wife and I wish to have little Freya as our own." My mood brightened considerably at the thought of my purple-haired lover, and blonde-haired child.
"And I suppose you here to verify the integrity of the two, Lady White Heart?" Blanc nodded. "Yes. Despite this man's current demeanour, as well as Neptune's childishness, I know that Freya will be safe and happy in their care." Zelka worked with the computer on her desk as she listened. "What did you say your names were?" The woman asked, Blanc giving a 'go ahead' motion. "My name is 'Zed Ordinarius'. My partner's name is 'Neptune Ordinarius'. Though I also go by 'Noah' as well." The woman nodded her head, for some reason not questioning why I went by two names.
Seeing as I didn't know if Neptune had a last name, I decided to give her mine, despite the fact that we weren't married yet. (Knowing her, she'd find a way to abuse that.) "Ah, okay. Here, you'll need to sign this." The woman handed me a form. Which I skimmed over, and signed, seeing nothing shady. "I will have to talk to Freya as well before I can allow you to leave with her. Protocol says I have to verify that she's happy and understands what being adopted fully means." I nodded stiffly. "Very well." Blanc and I left the room.
"How'd it go honey?" Neptune asked, still holding Freya in her arms. "It's almost done. Zelka just needs to have a quick talk with Freya, then we can leave." I replied. "You here that, Frey-Frey, we're your mama and papa now!" She shouted joyously, spinning around. "Careful dear, she'll get dizzy." I warned. The purple-haired girl apparently didn't hear me, as she took a minute before she finally stopped. (Er, too late, I guess.) "Uhhhh, make the room stop moving mama..." Neptune, realising her mistake, put Freya down. After waiting a moment for her dizziness to clear, Freya eventually walked into Zelka's office, shutting the door behind her.
"Sooooo...What kinda' person is Zelka?" The purple-haired girl asked, trying to start a conversation. Unfortunately, the subject she chose wasn't one I had particularly pleasant thoughts of. "I do not like her." I began, sighing afterwards. "She is not a bad person per-say, just not someone I think positive thoughts of. Freya's eyes were not those a child should have had." I could only guess it was the paternal instincts, but I still did not like Zelka at all. (There's no need to act rashly, Freya's with us now...) Despite my thoughts, the urge to harm Zelka was getting more and more prominent.
That fact should have scared me, after all, isn't violence going too far? I knew that to be true, yet my feelings were the opposite.
"Hey, cheer up future huzzy. Frey-Frey's with us now." Neptune spoke, giving me a hug. The physical contact was something I greatly appreciated. "Though..." Neptune began. "I wonder what Zelka and Frey-Frey are talking about?" I found myself wondering the same.
"So, uh, did you two forget I was here or what?" Blanc suddenly spoke, reminding Neptune and I of her presence.
Freya POV
"So Freya, do you like Mr and Mrs Ordinarius?" Big sis asked. Ordi...nari...us? Ohhh, that's what mama said our family name was! (What a silly question!) "Yesh! Um, I mean yes..." Owie, I bit my tongue! "Do they make you feel safe?" Bis sis asked another question. "Yes!" Mama and papa were really nice, I had so much fun playing with them! "I know you might think this question is silly. But are you sure you want them to adopt you? There are a lot of other nice people out there. Why do you want it to be them?"
Big sis was right, she was asking a very silly question.
"Papa understands me. He understood who Arti was. He has someone similar too. Papa and mama are both really nice too!" Big sis smiled at me weird, did I say something wrong? "You already said they were nice." Oh... "B-but that's because they really are! Both papa and mama played with the others for ages. Then they also played with me for a while too!" Other adults didn't really play with the others for very long, and they almost never played with me. "They could just be nice people Freya. Are there any other reasons why you want it to be them that adopt you?"
B-but, they were my mama and papa now! (Why is she not listening? D-dang it!) Ah! Mama won't like me using that word! "Mama said I was a part of her family. No one else ever says that." Big sis says to call her big sis, but she never called us family. "...Okay, Freya, I understand. If you're sure you want to join their family, I'll allow it." Heheh... (Silly big sis... Mama and papa are my family already!) I laughed. "Now then, do you want to say goodbye to the others before you leave?" I shook my head. "Huh, why not?" Why would I? "They're meanies!"
...
"Okay Freya, do you want to go see your new mama and papa now?" Now big sis was being cool. "YES!" Ah, mama won't like me shouting... "Um, I mean, yes."
Noah POV
The door opened, and from the office came Neptune and I's adopted daughter. "Hello little Freya, how was the talk with Zelka?" Instead of answering my question, the girl ran straight at Neptune and I. Thankfully the two of us reacted fast enough to carefully grab her into a hug without her getting hurt. "I suppose things went well then?" I asked. "C'mon Zeddy, just look at her. That's the face of a very happy Frey-Frey!" Looking at the little girls' face, she was correct, as Freya had the largest smile I had ever seen, on her face. The three of us hugged for a moment, before separating.
I held Freya's right hand, while Neptune held her left. Blanc tried to get out of it, but I grabbed her left hand before she could protest too much. "Let's get back to the others, I'm sure they'll be ecstatic at the news." Compa and IF were both massive softies, so I was looking forward to their reactions. "Uh, I don't think we'll fit through the door like this." Blanc spoke, gesturing to the narrow doorway that led outside the orphanage. I couldn't help but give her a smile.
"Details, Blanc. Details."
I was in a great mood, and nothing was going to stop it.
Location change: main floor of the central Basilicom.
Noah POV
Apparently, I was wrong. "Do you really have to go papa?" After we got back, and after seeing Compa and IF celebrate like never before, I thought it would be the right time to continue my plan. Unfortunately, it seemed Freya wasn't too happy about it. "Aww, don't be all sad, Frey-Frey. Your papa just has to go quickly do something important." Neptune spoke, hoping to alleviate her daughter's sadness. "Yeah, don't worry Freya, your dad will be back quicker than you can count!" IF joined in.
"Besides, you have all of us! So don't be sad."
"Yeah, don't you love us too?"
Compa and Blanc spoke, their words having an effect on the little girl. "Um, if you say so. A-and yeah, I love all of my aunties!" Freya spoke, raising her voice at the end. "Ah, sorry mama, I didn't mean to raise my voice." The girl's mother merely patted her head. "D'aw, don't be redonkeylous. Be as loud as you want Frey-Frey!" (Wait, is that even a word?) Once again, Neptunes'...Neptuness, never ceased to amaze me. "Well, I best be off now. See you all soon." I spoke, beginning to walk off.
"See you soon papa, I love you!"
Ah, my heart.
"Indeed, my little Freya, I love you too."
And I was off. (wait a moment...) I ran back. "Neptune, can you please give me back my phone?" I had almost forgotten that she still had it. "Hah! You forgot, didn't you?" I raised an eyebrow. "Geez, fine. Here ya go." Neptune handed back my phone. "Now get going! We can't keep Frey-Frey distracted for long!
And then I was off, for real, this time. (Do you even know where you are going?) Rex suddenly spoke. (Uh, no?) Well shit, I forgot I didn't know my way around. (Uh, maybe my phone has GPS?) Flipping through my phone applications, I found one that looked the part. (GPNeps, huh?) The similarity to my girlfriends' name didn't elude me. Well, at least I had a way to know where I was, and how to get where I needed to go.
(Er, wait a minute...How do I work this thing?) To my horror, the handling of a GPS, Sorry, 'GPNeps', was not in my skill set. (Maybe I could ask a local?) I quickly discarded that thought. It would be way too embarrassing. (How am I going to get to Planeptune?) Come to think of it, I never even thought to ask anyone If the landmass was close enough to Lowee for travel in the first place...
(Damn it!)
Wait... (Rex, could I summon another wing rather than just one, and could I fly with them?) It was a question I could have asked way earlier, but it had only just come to mind. (Hmm, I suppose you could, though it might not be easy.) Was anything really 'easy'? (Good enough for me.) Focusing on the nearly limitless energy of Golden Trillion, I unfurled one wing as I normally would, before focusing on the other half of my back. Pooling the energy towards said area, I felt the air around me change, as another wing popped into existence with a flash of light.
(So far so good.)
I willed both wings to move in tandem with each other, something which took a bit more effort than I thought. (Hmm, ah, there we go.) Within a few minutes, I had already managed to stay airborne. (Now to get myself moving.) It was a far more difficult thing to accomplish, seeing as humans weren't birds and all, but I eventually managed it. (Take that Newto-OH SHIT!) I momentarily lost concentration, and thus almost fell a few tens of metres, something that would have seriously hurt.
...
(Let's just hope that Planeptune is close...) I did not wish to fly all the way there.
Location change: entrance to the central Basilicom of Planeptune.
Noah POV
"Holy fucking shit that took ages..." Pardon my language, but I was very tired. As it turned out, Planeptune wasn't anywhere near close to Lowee. Meaning I had to cross an extremely long distance to reach my destination. "Halt, suspicious individual, what is your purpose here?" OH FOR FUCKS SAKE! "My name is Zed. I have come to the Basilicom on personal business. I would prefer to not be disturbed." I spoke, barely being able to be as polite as I was. Even If I was fed up, I knew that being rude would only prove to be a pain in the arse.
The guard in front of me turned to his right, starting to speak with his co-worker beside him. "Holy crap, do you think this guy is the Zed?" Well no shit. "Uh, Y'mean the 'Radiant Prince', the 'Knight of Dawn'?" Huh, that last one was new. "Yes, the same one that influenced the creation of Lastation's 'Radiant Dawn'." Again, that was new. "Er, can I please be let through? I have important business to attend to." I had little patience to begin with. The long back-and-forth between the two Basilicom guards was not exactly helping.
"U-uh, of course sir!"
"Y-yes sir, go ahead!"
I ignored their reverence as they stepped aside, choosing to just walk inside the Basilicom. (Urgh, let's just get this over with.) Walking inside the Basilicom, I looked around for any stairs or doors that could possibly lead to a lower level. Blade had mentioned a 'depths' to the Basilicom, so that meant I probably had to go down a floor or two. "Uh, are you lost sir?" A Basilicom guard asked, this one being a woman. (Dammit...) I rolled my eyes. "Yes, can you please tell me how to get to the depths of the Basilicom?" I asked, deciding to ask, even if only out of frustration.
"Um, there are no depths, sir. Are you perhaps in the wrong place?" Remember, she's just doing her job. "No, I'm sure this is the right place." I really wanted her to leave me alone. "No offence miss, but I am in a hurry..." Thankfully, she was smart enough to leave me alone after that. "Ah, sorry to bother you..." With the woman gone, I resumed my search.
1 hour later
"This has got to be it, right?" I whispered to myself. I was currently inside the throne room of the Basilicom. The area was actually off-limits, but using a mix of my reputation, as well as a little sneaking around, I had manged to make it in. Behind the throne, and in the middle of the backmost wall, was a strangely shaped slot. Taking a look at the four Key Fragments I now held in my hands, I fidgeted around, and noticed how they appeared to be able to form together to make a singular shape. One that matched the indent in the wall. (Yup, this has got to be it.)
Placing the now singular object into the slot, the entire wall lifted up, revealing a set of stairs. (If this doesn't lead to Histoire, I will be royally pissed.) Going down the stairs, I took notice of how the area looked. To put it simply, it was a prison, one that had not received any care or consideration for a long time. (So I suppose she's in there...) I thought, coming to the end of the stairs, and noticing the sole door at the end of a narrow and short walkway. (Here goes nothing...) I walked over to the door, and opened it. Revealing the sole prisoner.
She was a very short girl, with long, tied-up blonde hair, and blue eyes. She also had a pair of wings reminiscent of a butterfly. She was not unrestrained, being held by numerous chains that glowed a purplish-black, each chain being wrapped around her individual limbs. The girls' eyes suddenly opened. "You...? So you have come for me... Stranger?" She spoke, sounding groggy from having just woke up. "Indeed I have. My apologies for taking so long, I had much in the way of distractions." Histoire shook her head.
"Do not apologise, I am grateful you have come at all." She spoke, looking either side of me. "I do not see Neptune with you, had she not come with you?" I shook my head with a grin. "You'll have to forgive her. We have a daughter now, and she wished not to be away from her so soon." I ignored how her eyes almost burst out of her skull in surprise. "Regardless, how about I get you down from there?" The small, fairy-like girl, nodded. "A-ah, yes, that would be great. Though I urge you be careful, these chains were forged by your brother, they are not easy to break."
(How does she kno-) No, questions were for later, I had to free her first. Summoning a blade, I swung at one the chains with all my might.
*CLANG*
Only for the chain to come out unscathed. "Your brother, that is to say Jin, is not a weak man. In fact, his power, incomplete as it is, surpasses even the Gods of old, with only the strongest of Gods being his equals. To break these chains, you will require a similar power." I didn't like where she was going. (...But if I must...) I began to focus on the divine power within me, something that I usually suppressed, and called upon the end-bringing blade, the sheathed weapon appearing in my left hand.
In...
Out...
In...
Out...
I calmed my breathing, trying to keep myself focused. I gripped the handle with my right hand, and began to pull. Pain began to assault my entire body. Though far less than this time round, it was still a terribly painful experience. (Okay, halfway there...) The blade was unleashed, the sheathes' metal covering my left arm. (Now for the actual cutting.) I spread my legs slightly, and held the strangely-designed sword with both hands. Lifting the blade above my head, I breathed in and out once more.
(Now!)
1
2
3
4
4 cuts were made with the blade, each chain shattering like glass. The blade had done it, and to my surprise it did so easily. Slicing through each chain like I was cutting through air. "Golden eyes...So you truly wield his power..." Whatever Histoire spoke of, I did not know, as I was too busy trying to stay conscious. Blinking away the sudden fatigue as best I could, I brought Terminus to my left hand, watching as the metal on my arm shifted downwards and around the blade. "There..." I spoke, falling to my knees in exhaustion as the Sword of the End disappeared, returning to my being.
"I know that...You've just gotten free...But I have...Questions..." I forced out. The now-free Histoire nodded her head. "Very well, I owe you that much at least. What is your first question?" This one was easy.
"What...are you?"
END OF CHAPTER
An: I know, I'm evil. But at least this will make it easier to get started on the next chapter. I promise a lot of, if not all questions, will be answered then. Including things like Histoire's link to the Goddesses and why Noah/Zed is a psychopath half the time. (It's not just edge, you'll see.)
Also Terminus's design is just N's sword from Xenoblade Chronicles 3, but with the sheathe also working like Noah's (the MC from xc3, not our MC. No the name was not intentionally chosen, I just thought 'Noah' was a good name.) Lucky 7. (The whole 'sheathe turning into armor for the left arm' thing.)
I made it that way just for the coolness factor, though I hope the origin of Terminus differentiates it enough from Lucky 7 itself. (If you don't know what Lucky 7 or N's sword looks like, I suggest you look it up.)