"They've... stopped?" Laura wasn't sure if she believed what her eyes were trying to tell her. One minute they had been fighting wave after wave of archaisms, same as they'd been doing for the past hour, and the next... nothing? What few machines were still present were simply standing there completely motionless, like a bunch of marionettes with their strings cut.
Maybe it was a trap to lull them into a false sense of security? If so the Arseid couldn't help but think it was a poor one, especially as she watched Fie cautiously approach a group of machines before opening fire on them, reducing them into slag within seconds, "They're not reacting or anything." Her best friend pointed out the obvious.
"I suspect the archaisms were shut down remotely." Altina surmised, "Presumably whoever initiated the attack would have the authority to cancel it."
Instructor Sara hummed thoughtfully, "Either that or they were captured. It probably wasn't a bracer but it could've been a jaeger. I doubt all of them were as willing to see Haliask burned as whoever was responsible for this was."
"That makes sense. What do you think, Rean-"
Laura trailed off as she made a few worrisome observations. Firstly, Rean was still inside Valimar. Secondly, Valimar hadn't moved since the archaisms stopped. Thirdly, he still hadn't said a single word since they met up with him.
Despite the lack of apparent injuries on the Divine Knight she couldn't help but think back to the Infernal Castle nearly a year prior.
That was a very chilling thought.
The others seemed to be sharing a similar sentiment, especially as her question was once again met with silence. With the danger passed the four women approached the stationary Divine Knight, with Fie reaching it first and trying a different approach, "H-Hey, Valimar? Is Rean okay?"
This time her question bore fruit as Valimar came to life, "I am unsure." The Divine Knight's words sounded tired, but Laura was too focused on what it was saying to care about the how it was saying it, "His vitals are diminished, but stable. I believe he has lost consciousness."
"He's unconscious...?" She parroted hesitantly.
"He was unconscious for a month after piloting you the first time, right?" Fie asked, looking just as confused as Laura felt, "Is it anything like that?"
"Negative." Came the reply from the giant robot, "We did not sustain any significant damage during our last battle, and Rean should still have plenty of mana reserves remaining. I can only surmise his current status is due to his Spirit Unification. My sensors detected an anomalous reading when he utilized that power when compared to the previous times."
That their original theory appeared to be the correct one was of no relief to her. Something had gone terribly wrong with Rean and they had been helpless to do anything about it. If only...
She shook her head. Thinking about things they could've done mattered little. Right now they needed to take care of Rean, "Valimar, do you think you can get Rean back to camp?"
"Acknowledged. My mana reserves are sufficient to make it back."
"Good." Laura turned her focus to Altina, "Please, go with them and look after Rean, alright?"
"Understood."
Instructor Sara let out a miserable groan, "I'll let the Icy Maiden know what's going on. I hate trusting an Ironblood with anything, but she'll at least make sure arrangements are made for him."
The three bracers watched as the Divine Knight took flight, with Claiomh Solais just behind it. Only after Valimar had gone far enough away to be hidden behind the nearby buildings did Laura allow her focus to shift, "What should we do now, Instructor?"
"I'm gonna clean up here before reporting back to the guild branch. I'm sure that place is total chaos right now."
Laura shared a glance with Fie as both girls realized their superior had only given her own plans, "...What about us?" Fie asked at last.
"I want the two of you to go back to the army camp and keep an eye on Rean."
"Huh?" Sure that was what she wanted to do the most in that moment, but even still... "Are you sure? Shouldn't we remain to help out?"
Sara held up a finger, "Firstly, our current mission is pointless now and until I find out more there's not much for you to do at the moment. Secondly, even if there was I don't think either of you are in shape to do much right now, physically or emotionally. Best for you to go back, rest up, and be ready for any work that'll be coming the next few days. And lastly..." Here her eyes softened, "I'm worried about him too, you know? If he's gonna be stuck in a military camp with a bunch of government goons I'll feel a lot better having someone I trust there with him."
"Thanks, Sara." Despite the succinct reply the gratitude Fie placed behind those words was genuine.
With permission granted the girls separated from their teacher, following in the same direction Valimar had flown off to. As much as she would've loved to hasten their trip out it was completely impossible. Although the battle they had just fought hadn't been particularly difficult, it compounded with the emotional stress and worry she was feeling to leave the Arseid feeling more exhausted than she had in quite some time.
And given that Fie hadn't complained once about the sluggish pace they were setting it stood to reason she was feeling that same exhaustion.
A few minutes later and a new problem presented itself to the Arseid. Following in Valimar's wake had been effective at first, but the truth of the matter was they were standing in the middle of an unfamiliar city. One that had just been ravaged by an unexpected battle. There was a lot of rubble and ruin and chaos, but not a lot of direction.
"...Which way are we supposed to go?"
It took some trying, but eventually they found their way out of the city and back into Erebonia proper. From there finding General Le Guin's camp was easy, although the place was markedly different from the last time they were there: The camp was almost completely abandoned.
Something that was easy to explain as the majority of the army was still in the process of pacifying the remnants of the Northern Jaegers. They'd even passed a column of soldats that were entering Haliask just as they departed.
But thoughts of the war were the last thing on Laura's mind. She had something far more important to take care of. She began to scan around the camp in order to-
"Over there." It seemed that once again Fie was ahead of her as the shorter girl pointed out solitary tent away from the rest of camp. That in itself wouldn't mean much, but the presence of Valimar standing just a few arge away gave a good hint as to what lay inside.
A hint which was further reinforced when the flap opened and out strode Altina, heavy frown on the quiet girl's face.
Without further preamble the two approached her, "How is he?" She asked hesitantly. Should she enter the tent without permission? It would almost certainly be considered rather rude, but at the same time she didn't think she actually cared all that much...
Her silent dilemma was solved as Fie strode past her and into the tent, completely heedless to any social implications. With a mental shrug Laura took that as permission to follow.
She found herself staring at the body as Altina followed in just behind her, "An RMP medic just took a look at him. Physically she was unable to discern anything wrong with Rean. She did admit that without the machines of a full hospital she'd be unable to do a full scan, but her conclusion is that Rean is merely in a very deep state of sleep."
And that was what the Arseid's eyes were telling her, too. She'd seen how Rean looks while asleep almost every night since they started living together and save for the fact he was still fully dressed he looked just the same as always, albeit perhaps a little pale in the face. Relief was the dominant emotion she was feeling at seeming him look normal, but that emotion wasn't alone as worry and anxiety kept it company. He might be sleeping, but it was an unnatural one.
"Rean. Wake up." Fie's words were as quiet as ever so it was doubtful they would've had the intended effect, but she reinforced it by gently shaking his shoulder, "...No reaction." She stated, frown marring her pretty features.
Laura wasn't too surprised. Surely Altina or the medic would've tried that already, but she could understand Fie's desire to try it on him- "Stop poking him!"
Yes, waking Rean up would be good, but Fie jabbing him repeatedly was to the benefit of nobody!
"Major Claire has restricted access to this tent. Only persons designated by her have permission to enter." Altina tilted her head thoughtfully, "I believe that makes the two of you trespassers."
Despite the observation she made no move to interfere with the two bracers. Good. Authorization or not nothing was keeping her from checking in on Rean.
Plus Altina probably understood that Major Claire would almost certainly grant them permission as soon as she realized they were back in camp. Dangerous Ironblood she may be, but it was hard to see her as anything but an ally to Class VII after the previous war.
Laura wasn't sure what she was supposed to be feeling as she stared at Rean's sleeping body. The relief she felt upon seeing him seemingly out of danger was a sharp contrast to the worry at the fact he clearly wasn't alright. Add to that the helpless feeling at being unable to help him in his current state...
"What do we do now...?"
Her hopeless question hadn't been directed at anyone in particularly, but she wasn't all that surprised when Fie answered, "No idea. We didn't really plan for a long stay, but I guess we can ask Major Claire for help?" She let out a groan, "...I almost wish Sara was here right now.
She was right. Even though they had planned on returning home once the operation was over that option was out of the picture now. Although it wasn't said aloud, neither of them were willing to leave without Rean being with them. And with Rean being stuck there for Aidios knows how long...
But at the same time they were technically intruders in a restricted military base. Sure there was plenty of leeway given thanks to their status as bracers, but staying in the camp without permission was out of the question. They could return to the inn in Alster, but that was many selge away from Rean, which made that an unattractive option.
The Arseid let out an exhausted sigh. While she understood the necessity of all that right now she'd much prefer remaining her to keep an eye on Rean.
"I can take care of getting permission for us." Fie's comment surprised Laura. She knew the other girl could be lackadaisical at the best of times, so having her choose to step up like that was surprising. Fie must've noticed her reaction as she gave a lopsided grin and a shrug, "Someone's got to do it, right? And it beats just standing around here, so..."
Instead of finishing her statement the other girl merely shrugged again before walking out of the tent, presumably to carry out her promise.
With her gone Laura focused her attention on Altina who had stoically listened to their conversation, "Do you know what you intend to do?"
"My mission was to look after Rean. Until I get new orders I intend on continuing to do just that."
The swordswoman smiled gratefully at that. It was still difficult to understand where exactly Altina was currently standing in her life, but it was undeniable that her position was rising rapidly. Having someone like her around was a comfort.
Silence descended on the tent as two of the occupants silently observed the third who continued to lay there, oblivious to his surroundings.
"Take this!" Fie followed up her battle cry with a swift slash of her gunswords followed by a barrage of shots at point blank range. It was complete overkill considering how weak the monster she was attacking was, but it was her last enemy and thus there was no reason to not end the fight in style.
Sheathing her weapon she glanced around. Right now she was currently located in a mostly forgotten underground passage beneath Haliask. Sadly, just like every random catacomb or sewer or whatever other out of the way underground places lay beneath a city, this one was filled to the brim with monsters. And it was her job to clear them out.
She wasn't alone though. On the other end of the rather large room she was in was her current partner, Sara, who was currently finishing up her own battle. The silver-haired girl felt a little satisfaction at the fact she defeated her monsters before her mentor did. Sure Sara's group was almost twice as big, but the Sylphid just out of Zephyr would've been so far behind the Purple Lightning.
It could be hard to see her own progress normally, so having someone like Sara around to compare herself to was pretty handy.
"Alright, then." The older woman said after dispatching the last monster, "I'd say this request is complete. Good job."
"Mmm." She agreed even as she glanced around the area once more to be certain. They were supposed to clear out the place and leaving a couple monsters behind wouldn't sit well with her even if she knew they'd be back eventually regardless. It was the principle of the matter and all that.
With order restored to the city in the wake of the successful invasion and the military in control of everything there wasn't much her or the other bracers could do to help. Thus she'd decided to kill time by handling some of the lower priority missions the North Ambria guild had sitting around. Something which Sara clearly approved of giving the way she often tagged along.
Best to handle as many requests as possible while they were still in North Ambria. Especially since she was doubtful the guild would remain open once the annexation was formalized.
"Planning on doing any more today, or...?" Sara asked as the two returned to the light of the over world.
"Or." Fie confirmed, "Gonna head back and relieve Laura."
With Rean still remaining sound asleep two full day after the battle and the two girls refusing to return home without him they were left with nothing but time. Since Fie found sitting around all day doing nothing to be absolutely maddening she'd taken to doing as much bracer work as possible. It was one of the true major differences between the two girls as Laura saw guarding Rean to be her highest priority.
That wasn't to say that they were exclusively committed to those paths, of course. Fie knew that Laura's sense of duty and desire to help others would eventually compel her into action, and for her part the former jaeger didn't mind subbing in for guard duty, so long as it wasn't an all day thing.
She'd gladly protect Rean while taking an extra long nap with him.
"What about you?" Fie eventually returned the question, "Gonna do another request? I can send Laura your way if you want."
"Nah. I think I'm done for now. I'll go report in what we did, but after that I'm gonna take a walk around. Wanna see if some of my old favorite watering holes still exist."
The agile girl rolled her eyes, "Watering hole? If you don't want us to treat you like an old person stop using old people phrases."
Still, despite her criticism she couldn't help but smile. As far as she was aware Sara hadn't touched a drop of anything since they left Erebonia. While not getting plastered before taking an important job should be the absolute minimum expected of anyone, to see Sara being dry was just plain wrong. For some strange reason hearing her plans made Fie feel a little better about the entire situation.
Sara feeling better was good. Now they just needed Rean to get better.
Once away from her mentor the long trek back to their temporary home began. Once again she found herself lamenting the lack of any sort of transportation, but in all honesty it probably wouldn't have mattered much. Haliask was still a city in the midst of occupation, after all, and being forced to sit through a dozen vehicle inspections sounded dull as hell.
For the most part things were back in order with civilians going about their everyday lives while soldiers stood watch. The biggest differences were the air of gloom that seemed to follow the people around, and the fact the soldiers on watch were members of the Erebonian Army and not Northern Jaegers.
Plus the checkpoints. All the checkpoints. She had to deal with four of them just to get out of the city. From what she had heard while most of the Northern Jaegers had either been captured or killed a few hundred of them had used the chaos of the archaism attack to slip free of the Erebonian net and make their escape. Not exactly something a bunch of soldiers supposedly willing to die for their country should be doing, but she'd been around enough battlefields to know that sometimes a little patience could lead to a more advantageous fight.
They'd definitely be a major thorn down the line. Hopefully they'll be smart enough to lodge themselves in Giliath Osborne's backside and not hers or any of her friends.
Comparing the city she just left to the camp she was now arriving in was like night and day. While the North Ambrians chaffed under the beginnings of their occupation the invading soldiers were in a festive mood. Not only was their war over, but between the effective tactics of Generals Le Guin and Bardias alongside the chaotic archaism betrayal that wrecked the Northern Jaegers, casualties on the Erebonian side were almost completely nonexistent. A perfect victory to end their long campaign.
Deftly the out of place girl avoided the relaxing soldiers as she made her way to their tent. Technically she and Laura were staying in another tent arranged for them thanks to Major Claire, but for all intents and purposes Rean's tent was their tent. Home is where the heart is and all that.
Upon entering said home she glanced around. The first thing she noticed was Rean, still unconscious on his cot. That brought a frown to her face. While it would've sucked to miss being around when he woke it would have been a tiny price to pay to see him back in the world of the living.
The only other thing of note were the two other occupants of the place, Laura and Altina, sitting around a cheap table chatting about something or other. Altina – as the only one facing towards the door – noticed Fie's arrival, but said nothing. Laura meanwhile was completely oblivious as she continued to chat away.
Simply unacceptable.
With only the bored eyes of Altina following her steps Fie stealthily approached the ignorant girl. Even as she got closer and closer Laura remained none the wiser. Once in melee range Fie all but leapt on the unsuspecting swordswoman, "Whatcha talking about?"
"Bwhaaa!?" The startled shriek from the Arseid almost stopped being funny when the panicked girl instinctively reached for the over sized cleaver always at her side, but she caught herself upon noticing her attacker was, "F-Fie!? Why'd you do that?! I almost attacked you!"
"I would've dodged," She answered with total nonchalance, "Plus you deserve it for having your guard down. What if I had been an assassin?"
"We're currently surrounded by the better part of an entire army division." Altina pointed out blandly.
That argument didn't phase Fie any, "That's how the pros get you. Wait until you think your at your safest only to exploit a hole in the security to strike unopposed." She smirked as neither girl had a counter to that statement, "So what are we talking about?"
Laura sent one final glare her way before seemingly understanding the futility of arguing further, "I was just sharing with her some stories of our time as Class VII. Rean told her a lot already, but he wasn't present for all of it."
That made sense. Group B had some wild adventures of their own. Plus Rean was too nice to share some of the less flattering tales. Stuff like how Jusis and Machias wanted to kill each other, Sara, their nasty rivalry with Class I, Sara, and-
"She was just telling me how you used to be an antisocial loner."
"..." The former jaeger could do nothing but stare at her suddenly sheepish looking friend with the most unamused expression imaginable. Any sympathy she might've had after scaring Laura was completely gone.
The blue-haired woman let out an awkward laugh, "I-I didn't say it like that! I was... merely telling her about how you struggled to connect with people initially thanks to your background. I thought knowing that someone went through a similar experience as her would help her connect with others better!"
On one hand Laura did have a point. Altina definitely seemed to be following a similar path to her as the girl was already quite different from their initial encounters. Rean played the biggest part in that, naturally, but both she and Laura considered her to be a friend at this point and Millium was always bragging about her little sister...
But on the other hand Laura didn't need to drag her name through the mud to make that point! "Did you tell her about how you used to be biased against anyone that wasn't all chivalrous and knightly? Pretty sure you treated me worse than Patrick for like four months. You would've hated her for sure."
"Ahaha... We were all young and immature back then?" Yeah, that's right. Even if Laura's intentions had been noble she should've known not to mess with Fie. The best attack is a lethal counterattack. "How did things go on your end?"
The deflection was obvious, but Fie gave a shrug as she rolled with it, "Eh. Sara didn't get eaten by a monster, but other than that it was fine."
"Why are you disappointed that Sara Valestein did not get eaten by a monster?"
Altina's question led to Laura sending a withering glare Fie's way, "She says that because they are more common than they care to admit. Practically siblings at this point."
While Fie didn't appreciate having Laura spread awful lies like Sara being her older sister, she chose to ignore it in favor of elaborating for the sake of Altina's confusion, "Haven't you ever found yourself wishing for something bad to happen to Millium?"
"I see your point..." The younger girl conceded with an understanding nod, "...but for the record I must reiterate that I don't consider Millium to be my sister."
Fir let out a laugh. Altina's continued denial of their familial relationship never got old. Poor Millium.
For some reason Laura was staring at her like she was an idiot. Rude.
Ignoring that strange look she decided to reach over and place a hand on the tiny girl's head. Altina stiffened briefly at the contact, but given the fact she didn't pull away or sic Claiomh Solais on her was enough to consider it permission to continue. Altina had such a soft and pattable head. Fie was almost jealous.
"I still can't understand your obsession with head pats." The swordswoman admitted with a confused look and a shake of her head.
"You just wouldn't understand. Why not give it a try now?" Reluctantly Fie pulled her hand away from Altina's head before gesturing Laura to try it.
"Are you sure it's alright?" Even as the Arseid asked that she began hesitantly moving her hand towards the head.
Seeing Laura treat it like patting an angry cat caused Fie to roll her eyes, "She's not gonna bite. Stop being a wimp."
Despite the fact Altina never gave permission the slight on her bravery was too much for Laura to bear. With a single fluid motion she reached out and mimicked the earlier motion by placing her hand atop Altina's head before giving slow hesitant pats.
"Stop being so gentle. Do it like this." Fie gave a few demonstration pats before pulling back to watch Laura's second attempt, "That's too much. Ease off a bit and-"
"Claiomh Solais." Their ministrations were ended as the combat shell appeared between them, even going so far as to put up one of its barriers, "Stop treating me like a pet." With a final glare Altina moved away, placing distance between her and the two disappointed Class VII girls. Thanks to her sharp ears Fie was able to pick up the grumblings of the angered rabbit as she departed, "...Hurry up and get better. I miss your pats."
Despite her own disappointment Fie couldn't help but nod along to those quiet words. Rean's headpats were much better and she missed him a lot.
Please hurry and wake up.
"Unghh..." Rean groaned out as light reached his bleary eyes. He usually wasn't so sensitive early in the morning, but for some reason his eyes struggled to adjust to wakefulness. Add to that just how stiff and sore his body felt and it was a struggle for the young man to wake himself.
But through sheer force of will – plus a hunger that surpassed anything he could recall having in quite some time – he slowly persevered. It took plenty of effort, but the exhausted swordsman was able to clear his vision and sit himself up slightly. It was only after doing so that he realized he wasn't in his own home.
He was on a cot inside a tent. Fie was asleep in a chair not far from him, while on the other side was a table where Laura and Altina were playing what appeared to be Blade. But why was Altina there unless...
Right. They were on a mission to North Ambria. That thought caused a spike of adrenaline to surge through his body as he began to think through the cobwebs hindering his memories. Why was he in bed? He recalled infiltrating Haliask and-
"Rean! You're awake!" Laura's cry broke him from his musings. He stared as she got up from her seat and crossed the distance to him in a frantic rush. "Are you alright?!"
If the sheer concern in her voice wasn't enough to cause Rean to worry, the unshed tears glimmering in her eyes certainly did.
He opened his mouth to wave off her concerns, but no words came out despite his best efforts. For some reason his mouth just felt so parched.
"I shall bring you some water." Altina intoned, sensing his dilemma. He watched as the younger girl left, but soon after his vision was filled with another tone of silver hair as Laura's outburst must've woken Fie. Once again he found himself staring at an expression of relief mixed with worry.
"What happened?" He managed to croak out after considerable effort.
Both girls shared a glance, "...We were hoping you could answer that." Fie replied in a soft tone, "What do you remember?"
Her question caused Rean to once again focus on his memories. Entering Haliask with the others. Investigating the archaisms with Altina. Responding to the surprise attack. And after all that, "I summoned Valimar, right? And after that I..."
After that was just a haze. He vaguely recalled fighting a horde of giant archaisms inside his Divine Knight, but those memories were blurry at best. Try as he might he could not rid himself of the haze that was preventing him from remembering anything in detail.
The confusion must've shown plain on his face as Laura elected to fill in the gap for him, "You lost control of your Spirit Unification fighting the archaisms. You were unconscious inside of Valimar."
"Oh..." He'd realized that something was off with the power inside of him, but to lose consciousness in the middle of a battle? It was worrisome, certainly, but at the same time it was a price he was willing to pay in order to-
"You've been asleep for three days."
"...!" The Ashen Chevalier froze. Three days!? He would've thought Fie was trying to pull a fast one on him were it not for the expression on her face.
It reminded him of what happened after his first disastrous battle against Crow when he'd taken a deadly blow inside of Valimar and was unconscious for an entire month. Was it something like that? "D-Did something happen to Valimar?" He asked shakily, praying that was the answer.
To his despair Laura shook her head, "Outside of a few minor hits Valimar was fine. He didn't seem to think that this had anything to do with him."
"Rean, what's happening to your Spirit Unification?"
He opened his mouth to give an answer, to reassure the two of them, or anything to break the uncomfortable silence that filled the room, but no words came out. How could they when he had no answers to give?
It was something he had tried to ignore over the past few months, but now that it was out in the open it was something he couldn't do any further. Something was wrong with the power inside him. It was becoming more volatile and uncontrollable. And given what he'd just learned the consequences for using it were becoming greater too.
Once again Rean Schwarzer felt the familiar feeling of fear stir inside of him. A fear of the scariest person he knew. A dangerous individual that could threaten everything he held dear.
Himself.