Chapter Text
Shulk found himself restless as he made it to the top of Frontier Village. He had hardly managed to get to sleep the night before, he had known a bit about Aionios from what Z had told them. But to get the full story was…
Shulk was admittedly relieved to know that despite the catastrophe that came after, ultimately the Mechon didn’t succeed at wiping out the Homs in the original future. But at the same time… with Z’s meddling who knows how things might play out this time.
Still… if Alvis is to be believed. The best course of action is to keep going the way they’ve been. It might be a coincidence, or maybe it’s fate. After fighting so hard to defy it all this time, Shulk isn’t exactly sure how much stock he wants to put into fate getting them to a happy ending.
Shulk had to hold back a sigh. Yesterday held so many revelations, but it felt like he had even more questions than before. Eunie, Riku, and Noah seemed to be the only ones who had a good idea of what was happening. He’ll have to ask Alvis more when they get to Alcamoth. Or… Alpha would probably be a better bet considering how roundabout Alvis is with his explanations.
“Oh good! Everybody’s finally arrived.” At Dunban’s declaration, Shulk glanced over at the staircase to find Eunie and Noah hurrying up the stairs. A bundle of supplies in their arms.
Sorry about the delay.” Noah muttered, but it was fairly clear something else was on his mind. ”Me and Eunie were talking and we lost track of time.”
“What about?” Riku asked.
Eunie let out a sigh after Noah refused to answer “After the Fog Queen attacked Noah and Mio met up in their dreams again. She said that something happened on her side that she didn’t want to talk about. She told him she wanted some time to herself and hasn’t shown up since.”
“Do you think she’s in some sort of trouble?” Shulk asked.
“No… she’s probably fine,” Noah admitted.
“He’s just sulking because he misses her and I told him he’s acting like a first termer.” Eunie mimicked herself gagging while pointing to Noah with her thumb.
“Oh don’t be like that Eunie.” Sharla sighed “I think it’s sweet that Noah cares for her so much.”
“Nah Eunie’s got the right of it.” Reyn scrunched up his face “Love is nice but too much is too much.”
“And what would you know about love?” Sharla huffed.
“Enough!” Reyn shot back “May never have been. But I’ve seen enough to get the gist. As Shulk’s best bud, I can say I was an esteemed observer.”
“Wait what? Why did my name come up.”
“Esteemed observer eh? Didn’t know you knew words that big.” Sharla said teasingly.
“Well, I mean. I don’t know the definitions exactly. But I’ve heard the phrase before so I know I’m usin’ it right.”
“Gogol see, Gogol do is it?” Alvis hummed.
“The hell?! What do you mean Gogol see Gogol do?!” Reyn sputtered “How else do people learn words and phrases?! Do you expect us to run around with a dictionary acting like some arsehole goin’ Ahaha! I see! I found a big word! Oh here’s the definition! Ok ok! I got it! I’ll use this in my day-to-day now! Hmhmhm! I’m so smart!”
“Snrk!” Alpha smirked as Reyn stared down at his brother. “It seems you’ve finally been called out.”
Alvis, unused to anyone but his siblings challenging him so brazenly, looked away in slight embarrassment “Be quiet…”
As the others laughed along with Alvis’s embarrassment, Melia turned to Dunban curiously “Is this normal for them?”
“Hm?” Dunban raised a brow “I’d say this is normal for just about any group of close friends. Are you and Eunie not the same.”
“We are.” Melia nodded “I’m just a tad unused to this. I wanted to make sure the two of us aren’t outliers. Still, it's a tad strange, isn’t it? The words are hostile… and yet as I hear them… I can’t keep the smile off my face.”
“Hardly strange at all. Being able to speak so freely, poking fun at each other’s mistakes, it’s what makes friends so much more important than acquaintances.”
“It almost makes what I’m about to do seem cruel…” Melia frowned.
“Oh?”
Melia slammed her staff on the ground and Dunban watched as she sent waves of water ether at Shulk and the others. “Mels?!” Eunie sputtered “The hell was that for?!”
“We’ve made Chief Dunga wait long enough.” Melia explained, “I had to stop your squabbling somehow.”
“A simple clearin’ of the throat should have been fine,” Eunie grumbled.
“But Eunie. Aren’t you the one who always tells me to have more fun with things?”
“That’s-“
Dunban coughed into his hand “Regardless of how unnecessary you believe Melia’s actions to have been. The point she makes is a fair one. If we want to get to Eryth Sea we can’t go off on another tangent.”
“Riki agree.” The nopon shivered “Not want friend Melly to give Riki another magic bath. Best leave for sky ocean.”
“Sky ocean?” Reyn asked “Actually, how are we going to get to Eryth Sea from here? I don’t see any sort of path to the head.”
“Oh-ho! Riki know something Reyn does not!” The nopon said smugly.
“You say that as if the method is easy to guess.” Melia sighed “Chief Dunga, would you activate the elevator for us.”
“Thought you would never ask!” Dunga laughed and a beam of light rose out of the lake “Friends have fun in Eryth Sea!”
“Fun? What part of that looks like fun?”
“Actually… I would say that fun is an accurate description. Observe.” Alpha stepped into the beam and promptly shot up into the air. Through the waters that made up the sky.
“Oh. So the sky is actually water?” Noah asked breathlessly “I just assumed it was some reflection thing.”
“From what I understand the sea is made of a combination of water ether and rain water. Water Ether is lighter than air, which keeps the ocean suspended. However regular water is heavier. The regular water pushing down, and the water ether pushing up cancel each other out. So the ocean stays in midair.”
“That… doesn’t sound right. But I don’t know enough about gravity to tell you why that is.” Eunie muttered.
“You all are hyper-fixating on the wrong thing. A man just flew into the sky. Are we not going to talk about that?”
“Reyn has point.” Riku nodded “Shouldn’t be leaving Alpha alone.”
“Could you stop with all the blatant hostility?” Eunie sighed “Seriously that’s my boss yer talking about.”
Reyn’s jaw dropped as the three Aionians casually walked into the beam of light. “Seriously?”
“It’s a tad disorienting but there’s nothing to fear,” Melia assured, as she, Dunban, and Sharla followed Noah’s lead and entered the rift.
“Yes! Reyn should stop being such big scardy Tirkin.” Riki stuck his tongue out and waddled on over to the elevator. Trailing after Melia.
“That smug little- get back here ya damn fluffball!”
“That’s our cue.” Alvis hummed as he and Shulk were left as the last two remaining in Frontier Village. “Just a bit farther…”
“To Prison Island maybe. But something tells me we’ve got a lot further to go than that.”
Alvis looked at Shulk with an unreadable expression. “Yes. I suppose that’s true.” Wordlessly, he walked toward the beam of light, and Shulk entered only a second later.
Alpha might just be a psychopath. Shulk had held that opinion ever since meeting on the Bionis leg, but then everything he said the day before gave him second thoughts. But now Shulk is absolutely certain that Alpha was not sound of mind. When he entered the light that was meant to take them to Eryth Sea it was as if the ground was pulled out from under him.
It was more than a little disorienting, to feel like you're falling when traveling upwards. But that was the best way Shulk could describe it. It only lasted about three seconds at most but when the world stopped flashing shades of white and blue and he found himself on the pristine shores of Eryth…
Well. Shulk's first thought was not, wow this place is so pretty. Instead, it was, oh good. There’s an ocean I can puke into.
Thankfully he wasn’t alone. Reyn, Sharla, and Eunie all seemed to be similarly nauseous. Though the last wasn’t all too hung up on that.
“I can’t tell if that was the worst thing I’ve ever done or the most fun.”
“Considering how popular rollercoasters were in the old world… I can only assume that both can be true.” Alpha decided.
“Of course, she thought it was fun.” Alvis sighed “Ouroboros or not, Alpha would never choose a sane person to work with.”
“You say that. But you aren’t exactly phased either.” Sharla accused.
“The Ontos core provides advanced healing. We don’t grow nauseous easily.” Alvis explained.
“How else would I have healed so quickly from everything the Fog Queen did to me?” Alpha tacked on.
“Okay fair enough.” Sharla relented “But what about the rest of you?”
“This isn’t my first trip to Frontier Village. My brother used to bring me along when he went to meet with Dunga.” Melia explained, “After a while, the trip stops being so disorienting.”
“Nopon made of thicker skin than Hom-Homs.” Riki boasted.
“He means nopon have very strong stomachs.” Riku clarified “Holds lots of ether and can even make poison inside. Takes a lot for nopon to go spew.”
“I’ve been living with the pain of the Monado for years. Something like this isn’t going to phase me.” Dunban said dismissively.
“I felt kind of nauseous when the world started flashing blue and white.” Noah shrugged “But it was also hurting my eyes so I closed them and the feeling went away. Then I was here and I felt fine. Did… did none of you think to do that?”
“Shut up.” Noah snorted as four nauseous voices snipped at him in sync.
“Setting aside our poor decision-making skills” Dunban chuckled, “I have to say the trip was well worth it. The view is spectacular.”
“Can’t argue with that.” Sharla agreed “To think, all that time we spent in Makna and our destination was in the sky.”
“If you dive down deep enough, d’ya think we could make it back to Frontier Village?” Reyn asked.
“Now there’s a question. Why don’t you give it a shot?” Dunban asked teasingly.
“I concur. Experiment a bit. Test your hypothesis. If you drown it’ll have been for the sake of science.” Alpha nodded.
“Well, I know Dunban’s messin’ with me. But yer so sincere sounding I can hardly tell the difference.” Reyn groaned.
“Why does it matter if he’s sincere?” Sharla huffed “It’s still a bad idea.”
“We don’t know that for sure let him try.”
“Bossman. Stop trying to get Reyn killed please.” Eunie sighed.
“Fine. If you insist. I’ll test it myself.”
“Oh so you were serious-“
Melia laughed into her sleeve “If it weren’t for their looks you would scant believe those three were siblings.”
Alpha crossed his arms “When the Ontos core split into three, I inherited our creator’s curiosity. It’s only natural that if there’s something I don’t know I’d strive to find the answer.”
“Though you ask a lot of stupid questions for someone who also inherited his intelligence” Alvis accused.
“Academic intelligence perhaps. But we both know that man hasn’t a lick of common sense.”
As he feels the Monado vibrate angrily at his side, Shulk starts to wonder if he really wants to know why his sword gets these mood swings.
“I don’t know Melia.” Dunban chuckled “They may have differing personalities. But what you are witnessing right now is the apex of a sibling relationship.”
“Fascinating. But if we want to prevent a repeat of what happened at Frontier Village we should get a move on.”
Riki hurried to Melia’s side “Good idea! Riki stay here in case friends want to ignore friend Melly.”
“Right. Because Bionis forgive you actually help her calm everyone down.” Reyn groaned.
“Not that she needs it. The floor is yours, your highness.” Alpha assured.
“Right. Now, for Eunie, Alvis, and Alpha this shouldn’t come as a surprise. But the rest of you should know that traversing the Eryth Sea is a tad different than how you’ve been wandering around the rest of the Bionis.”
“Different?” Shulk echoed “How so?”
“Do we need another boat?” Noah asked, “Because if so, Riku makes for a fairly decent captain.”
“No nothing like that. A standard ship would be of little help anyways.” Melia explained, “Take a look at that tower in the distance.”
“Tower? Woah!” Reyn turned to the open ocean only to spot a massive black structure floating in midair. “Is that Prison Island?”
“The very same.” Melia nodded “As you can see. It’s quite aways above the sea, and that is not a trait unique to it. Eryth is composed of hovering reefs, and transporters are needed to traverse the area fully.”
“Ugh. You mean more teleporting about?” Reyn groaned.
“Well yes. But these trips are far less nauseating. It’s an instantaneous event. Just don’t jump in and out of the machine over and over and you’ll be fine.”
“Don’t mess with technology we don’t understand? Riku think most of us can handle that.” The nopon did a quick glance to the side “Might need to keep an eye on Reyn though.”
“I heard that! Can you all stop picking on me for five minutes?!”
“No.” Eunie said without any hesitation.
“In any case, you’ll need permission from my father the emperor to make it onto Prison Island.” Melia completely ignored her friend’s bickering. “Which means we’ll need to head to Alcamoth.”
“It looks just like Keves castle…” Noah whispered.
“Some parts of the Palace are scarily familiar too.” Eunie agreed. “Even knowing the truth it’s a bit hard to believe eh?”
“I’ll say.”
“I know you’re all chomping at the bit to get to Prison Island. But let's not forget that locating Z and stopping his creation of a new Moebius should be our first priority.” Alpha cut in “Me and Alvis will do whatever we can to get you to Prison Island, but only after we deal with that interdimensional arsehole.”
“Sounds reasonable enough.” Shulk easily agreed “Z’s been a thorn in our side as well. Especially with the Fog Queen still alive. We hardly want him to get any stronger.”
“Glad we're on the same page then.”
“That transporter up ahead will take us to the first of many reefs.” Alvis continued “If we have nothing else to discuss might I suggest we get a move on?”
“Fine by me. I’m not even sure how but I think some sand got into my boots.” Sharla’s face scrunched up “Sooner we get to solid ground the better.”
“Couldn’t agree more. Let’s head out.”
Getting off the Titan ship Rex had quite unceremoniously realized that this was the first time he’s been able to land on a Titan normally since he started this whole quest. He crash-landed into Gormott, was eaten by Uraya, and considering how an ambush was lying in wait at Argentum he was hesitant to call that landing normal as well.
In all honesty, Rex was having a bit of trouble remembering the last time he was able to think about normality. Even in the brief moments of respite, he can’t really say any of those days are ‘normal’. He didn’t particularly dislike the weirdness though, most of the time he embraced the strange quirks of his new friends.
But that continued weirdness also gave him a newfound appreciation for normalcy. When the worst possible scenario happens so often, nothing bad happening is a reason to celebrate.
Maybe it was just good timing, or maybe she could tell that Rex’s thoughts were starting to spiral, either way, Rex was brought out of his musings rather abruptly as Nia let out a catlike noise as she stretched in the middle of the dock.
“Finally!” Nia basked in the warm desert sun “We made it. Sittin’ in that ship was putting knots in my back.”
“That’s not good.” Theory frowned “Do you need a Doctor?”
“I am a Doctor.”
“I don’t think that’s the same thing.”
“Guys.” Rex quickly spoke up before the conversation became unsalvageable. “Can we wait until after we’ve made it to the city to argue?”
“I agree. The path to Alba Cavanich is relatively safe, but there are still some pesky beasties on the way over.” Vandham nodded.
“That true!” Tora nodded “Skeeter blow yucky pollen all over if friends not careful. Take long bath for Tora to get out of fur.”
“Huh? That so?” Rex muttered.
“Hey wait a minute Tora.” Nia spoke up “I get Vandham. He’s probably been all over the world with his mercenary firm and all. But how come you know what the path to Alba Cavanich is like?”
“Hm? Did Tora not mention?”
“If Masterpon even need to ask that question. Then the answer should be clear.” Poppi declared.
“Meh meh… Poppi could stand to give masterpon just a little bit of leeway.” Tora sulked “In all honesty. It probably did just slip Tora’s mind. Tora live in Mor Ardain before Grampypon’s murder. Then move to Torigoth after.”
“Oh, I see.” Mio nodded “So you moved here after… wait murder?!”
“Masterpon never told Poppi that detail!”
“Why would Tora?” Tora asked “Does no good to talk about it all now. Tora had choice to sit around and cry about the unfairness of Tora’s own life… or could build Poppi and fulfill dream.”
“Yer one tough little ball of fluff.” Vandham cackled.
“Still doesn’t it bother you, Tora?” Pyra frowned “I mean, someone killed him. Don’t you want to know who? Or why?”
“Not particularly.” Tora denied “Tora already know why. And if Tora try to find out who Tora most likely reach dead end. Or he blame someone innocent for killing Grampypon. All Tora really want to know is where Dadapon is.”
“Oh, that’s right. You mentioned wanting your dad to hear about Poppi back in Torigoth. So he’d show back up.”
“That right.” Tora nodded “But now that Tora on move with friends, Dadapon going to have just as much trouble finding Tora as Tora is finding Dadapon.”
“Do you want us to ask around as long as we're in Mor Ardain?”
“No need!” Tora declined “Friend Mio has important meeting with Emperor, and Tora not even sure if Dadapon… still around. Have plenty of time for search after adventure over.”
“That’s really mature of you Tora.” Pyra praised.
“Eheheh… Tora thanks Pyra for noticing.”
“Masterpon’s ego has risen by two percent.” Poppi noted, “Will reduce amount of compliments to compensate.”
“Meh meh?! Poppi not need to do that!”
“Those two never change do they.” Pyra chuckled.
“Guess not.” Rex agreed “Though speaking of changing, mind if I ask a question?”
“Go right ahead.”
“Where’d Mythra go?” He asked, “I thought you were going to have her take over for a while longer.”
“Originally I was going to have her stay up front until she promised… well that part can stay between the two of us.” Pyra smiled apologetically “But after that fight in Argentum she wanted some time to recuperate, and then Nia said she wanted to talk to me so I figured there was no harm in letting her sleep a little longer.”
“Sleep? Is that what you guys do when you’re not in control?”
“Sometimes.” Pyra shrugged “Mythra usually sleeps. But recently I’ve been fiddling with my Aegis powers. Seeing how many Gargoyles I can link up with, if I can access any more memories. That sort of thing.”
“Any progress? On the former I mean, I’d have probably seen something too if you managed the latter. I did every other time at least.”
“Nothing substantial yet. Kind of makes me wish I asked Malos a few more questions before rejecting his offer.”
“Ah well. What’s done is done.” Rex shrugged “There’s always next time… considering he’s feeling charitable.”
“I doubt it. But there’s no harm in having a bit of hope.” Pyra rationed.
As the Aegis group set out towards the capital city of Mor Ardain, a lone figure watched them from the clifftop. “So that’s an Aegis? Odd. She doesn’t seem to be at full strength. Nor was Malos when we last saw him two years ago.” The man took his flask off his belt and took a swig. “Looks like Gorg’s information was right on the money again. Both Aegis have risen from the dead.”
“Though it looks like he didn’t catch everything.” The man, Perceval, wiped the sake off his face and refastened his mask “What’s P’s prized pet doing with them? Hard to imagine that woman would let her run off as a spy… but the alternative is…”
Perceval shook his head “Ridiculous… but not impossible. Either way, I should keep an eye on that group. The Aegis, an Ouroboros, and a plethora of strong Blades. G’s going to take one look at them and see an all-you-can-eat buffet. And we were barely able to get away from him as he is now…”
In his frustration, Perceval kicked a pipe “If only I could transform back into my Blade form like Dagas and Ursula can. I’d be able to take him then, I bet.” Perceval let out a long sigh “I just had to have been a failed attempt. Now if I tap into that power it’ll kill me once the well runs dry. And I can’t die just yet.”
Perceval ran his hand through his hair, having transformed from a blazing chimney to a much more realistic bright red mullet. “No use complaining now. Dagas warned me of the risks after all. I’ll just have to wait for the perfect moment, and when G least expects it I’ll take his head.”
Perceval looked away guiltily “Not the justice you would have wanted. But the justice this monster you’ve become deserves. Wonder how you’d react to me saying something like that? I guess it doesn’t matter either way, my old friend. We’ll kill each other yet.”
Thankfully Melia was telling the truth when she said that the transporters were far less disorienting than the trip to the surface. There was still a bit of confusion, as to be expected when you're facing the ocean one second and running towards a group of Ignas the next. But Sharla’s dealt with far worse than a bit of confusion.
Actually… recently she would go as far as to say that confusion had become her new normal. Shulk and Reyn act like Noah being from another world was ground zero for all the weirdness going on, and yes that is strange, but she’s thrown common sense out the window ever since Shulk claimed he could see the future.
When she pressed Alvis on that matter. He said that that part was normal. In what world- are visions of the future normal?
Sharla’s had her mental breakdown back on the leg. And she came out of it realizing that no matter what she learns she will have two choices. Abandon ship and help rebuild Colony 6, or stick around and fight against the true threats to her home. The choice is simple, she’s been saddled with a group of morons who couldn’t tell the difference between sore muscles and a shattered rib cage.
While Shulk is busy worrying about the implications of Eunie’s old world, and what it could mean for their own futures, Sharla’s just glad to have another competent healer in the group.
Speaking of the healer. While everyone else had stuck to their more casual outfits, Eunie had come to Eryth in full uniform. She had been quite animated while talking to the others as well. But once they reached what appeared to be the central teleporter she clammed up, and stuck by Melia’s side.
“What’s with the sudden cold shoulder?” Reyn whispered.
“Eunie’s managed to finesse her way into a position as Melia’s personal guard.” Alpha reminded them “Thanks to my help. Naturally.”
“Other you’s help.” Alvis corrected.
Alpha shot his brother a glare before continuing “She tends not to flaunt her status and Homs don't really have royalty so it’s easy to see how you forgot. But Melia is a princess. No matter how close the two of them are, she needs to look professional at all times… especially considering…”
“Considering?” Shulk asked.
“You’ll see it for yourself soon enough,” Alpha grumbled.
Four High Entian Guards exited from the teleporter on the central island. “Woah! Those things are huge!” Reyn gasped “I thought Melia and Eunie’s wings were the norm.”
Mentally, Sharla couldn’t help but agree with the observation. But she also couldn’t stop herself from groaning at Reyn’s complete lack of tact “That’s the sort of thing you keep to yourself Reyn.”
“Reyn should apologize to bird people.” Riki scolded.
“No way!” Reyn hissed “What if they didn’t hear me? Apologizing would be the same as insulting them again!”
“That’s not how-“ Sharla groaned “Nevermind.”
Thankfully, it didn’t seem that an apology was all that necessary. The High Entian guards didn’t even bother looking at the guests Melia brought along. Except the two seers of course. “Lady Melia, Sir Alvis, Doctor Alpha. It’s good to see you’ve all made it back safely. With one of your vassals in tow as well.”
Noah scowled at the poorly hidden barb, and his frown only deepened as he watched Eunie roll her eyes with a bored sort of acceptance rather than lash out like he knew she would have back on Aionios.
Melia seemed a tad annoyed as well. She cleared her throat and gave the captain a glare. “Yes, me and my friend Eunie have returned quite safely. We’ve also brought along a few Homs and Nopon that assisted me on my mission. I have much to report to my father and I trust you’ll treat them as valued guests.”
“O-Of course Lady Melia!” The guard captain stammered “We’ll get lodgings ready at once!”
“And.” Melia interrupted him sternly “They will be given proper lodgings. You will not stick them in a glorified prison cell. If I hear otherwise there will be consequences.”
“O-Of course! We’ll work on that right away!”
The group watched as the guardsmen scurried away. “Melly can be scary…” Riki whispered.
The princess for her part, burned bright red “I-Is that what you think? I- meant to come off as confident and… assertive… not scary.”
“Was it really necessary to tell them off like that though?” Shulk asked.
“I didn’t mind it,” Noah muttered.
“Riku neither.”
“They were rather rude.” Dunban agreed “I wonder what could have happened to upset them like that.”
“My birth most likely.” Eunie spat.
Melia let out a groan at Eunie’s declaration “Perhaps I should explain. Half Homs like myself and Eunie are looked down upon in High Entian society.” She gestured to the pink hat-like accessory she adorned “It’s why I conceal my wings, and why I have to wear a mask when addressing the public.”
“The Palace guards know I’m Melia’s ‘protector’ or whatever.” Eunie very purposefully put air quotes around the word protector. “But to everyone else, I’m just a filthy half-breed who likes wearing her uniform so she can shove her success in everyone’s faces. Kinda like how the Colony Four folks treated Mio and the others. Only way worse because these bastards have lived hundreds of years to solidify their shit opinions.”
“Humans like to pretend that they’re superior to others. Even when they have nothing to offer they can still put others down. Thus their reasons for doing so end up being as artificial as race or gender.” Alvis sighed.
“Desperation and a unifying purpose helped bridge the gap back on Aionios… but without a cause to unify us I guess our egos get in the way…” Noah frowned.
“It’s just a matter of time.” Alpha shrugged “Back on earth we managed to mostly bridge the gap between races. It just took a few generations of intermingling.”
“If you know that then why hasn’t there been any progress?” Sharla asked.
“Three reasons.” Alpha lifted up a finger with each number. “One, last time Homs and High Entia tried to coexist the age gap just led to discrimination. Two, political bullshit is A’s wheelhouse, not mine. If she can’t find a way to bridge the gap then I’m not even gonna bother trying. And three, the mechon are going to attack Alcamoth eventually, and everyone in charge knows that. In my opinion, it’ll be so much easier to just brute force cooperation after that happens.”
“Riku not sure how to feel about that. Because Alpha right, probably can’t stop. But Alpha also way too casual about it.”
“You rather I scream and cry?” Alpha scoffed “Did the old me really give off that impression?”
“No. But Riku still not like you by principle.”
“I can live with that.”
“If we're quite done talking doom and gloom.” Alvis interrupted “We should really get a move on. We’ll separate once we reach the Palace. You’ll probably have to stay there for an hour or two, we’re cautious around outsiders after all, but you should be allowed to explore the city shortly after.”
“That’s fine by me.” Shulk nodded “We wouldn’t want to cause any trouble. Just let us know when we’re all set.”
Alvis gave a nod to show that he heard Shulk’s request, before leading the group through the teleporter. The floating city of Alcamoth was waiting for them after all.
While Shulk and the others had a floating city to explore, Melia, Eunie, and the seers had a much more important, and yet much more boring task to accomplish. The quartet enter the audience chamber and while the seers stay standing, a silent declaration of where exactly they stand on the totem pole, Melia and Eunie bow before the emperor.
“Royal Guardsman Eunie returning with Crown Princess Melia Antiqua.”
“Raise your heads.”
They both did so, Noah, Lanz, and Riku would probably be surprised to see Eunie following the proper procedure and showing respect like this, but unlike Moebius or most of her commanding officers, she actually liked Sorean.
He had that sort of stuffiness that all important people had, but it was more like Monica’s stuffiness. The ‘I have a job to do and like hell am I gonna do it poorly’ sort of stuffiness. Eunie is one of the few people in Alcamoth who got to see Sorean the father instead of Sorean the Emperor, such are the perks of being the princess’s personal guard, and the difference between the two is staggering.
She’d never forget what it was like to meet Shania’s mother. The woman was horrible and dismissive, with not a single regret or loving thought in her head. Eunie had promised herself that if Sorean was anything like that she’d kill him on the spot, consequences be damned.
Thankfully that wasn’t necessary, Eunie didn’t really understand what a ‘parent’ really did yet, but she figured you could do much worse than Sorean.
“My beloved daughter, I’m truly glad to see you return, and I’m especially glad to see that it wasn’t alone.”
If pressed Eunie was confident that Sorean would say he was referring to Alpha’s reappearance. But she didn’t miss the way his eyes darted over to her for a brief moment. Melia clearly missed all subtext, or maybe she just couldn’t hear it over the sound of her regrets. “I’m sorry to say that return is all I did Father… Aizel, Hogard, Garan, and Damil… all of them perished during the excursion, and we couldn’t even kill the Fog Queen. My deepest apologi-“
“Melia.” Sorean cut her off with a stern glance that melted into an exhausted smile. “If the beast could not be vanquished with two of the seers assisting you, I can hardly call your efforts a failure. I’m just happy you’re alive.”
“Even so I-“
Eunie discreetly placed her hand on Melia’s own, the Princess looked over curiously and saw her friend softly shaking her head. “What Melia is trying to say, your Majesty, is that she sees the mission as a failure in an emotional sense. However, tactically, it’s not all bad.”
Kallian frowned at Eunie’s interruption “Melia can speak for herself guard.”
“Let her speak, boy.” Alpha cut in “Unlike many High Entians she’s actually seen war instead of just read about it. I’d trust her judgment.”
Sorean nodded, while Kallian was still reeling at being called boy so brazenly. “Very well. Feel free to speak your mind… and in your casual tone. No need to keep up appearances with such a small crowd.”
“See this is why I like you,” Eunie smirked.
“He’s saying you being formal is weird.”
“And that is why I hate you.” Ignoring Alpha’s snort Eunie stood up and crossed her arms. Melia awkwardly picked herself off the ground a good fifteen seconds later. “But I’ll stay on topic. We may not have killed it, but we got close. At least, what Z said makes me think we had to have gotten close. That means it can be killed, and we can find a way to counter it.”
“Back in Aio- er My Old Colony we’d grab scraps and shite from old battlefields, try and figure out the best way to break 'em come future. And it worked, least until the other side did the same thing. Then we were at square one again. But, we’ve got two advantages here. One, the Fog Queen is dumb, it doesn’t seem to understand tactics. It just lashes out in a variety of ways. Scary, powerful ways, but it’s still fairly mindless. And two” Eunie jabs a thumb back at Alpha “We’ve got one of the best scientists in the world back from an up close and personal visit from the thing. If anyone can find a counter it’s him. I’d argue that getting Alpha back at all is a victory, but everything else we learned about the Fog Queen and its abilities is pretty valuable info.”
“Well now. That’s quite a lot. It seems I stand corrected.” Sorean smiled at his daughter “I was willing to say you broke even on this mission, but your guard has changed my stance. I think we can call this excursion a success, despite the losses.”
“I- truly…?”
“Never forget the debt you owe to the fallen.” Sorean advised “But keep this close to your heart as well. The overwhelming sense of pride I feel. Knowing my daughter has found overwhelming success in a mission that should have brought nothing but failure. Take that pride as your own and never forget it.”
“I- I won’t Father.” Melia quickly wiped her eyes with her sleeve to prevent tears from falling.
Eunie shot her a smirk, and whispered to Melia “See? I knew he’d understand. Anyone who looks at you and sees a failure needs to get their eyes checked, Emperor included.”
“Thank you Eunie…” Melia whispered back.
“If that is settled there is another matter we must address.” Kallian spoke up “The Homs and Nopon you brought with you.”
“Shulk and the others? What about them?” Melia asked.
“They carry the Monado with them do they not?” Kallian pressed “Can they be trusted?”
“Yes.” Alvis nodded “In fact, I cannot think of anyone more capable of wielding that sword.
“I’d have to agree.” Alpha piped up “That prophecy may one day come to pass. But it won’t be at Shulk’s hands.”
"Prophecy?" Melia asked.
"Has A not told you about it?" Alpha rose a brow "About how one who wields the Monado will one day bring the High Entia to ruin? It's a future me, Alvis, and A have all seen in one way or another. But the figure who holds the sword has never been clear."
"Before the Black Fog, it was the only time our visions had ever been obscured without the other seers meddling." Alvis continued.
"Huh... the more ya know." Eunie shrugged "Still if this prophecy killer ain't Shulk there shouldn't be any problems yeah?"
“I wish I could agree with that Eunie. And their words have put me more at ease… however, I cannot be certain until A looks into Shulk's future and gives me a definitive answer.” Sorean sighed “Your words do hold weight though, so I will make a compromise. The group isn’t allowed to leave the head until she returns. However, they will be free to roam both the city and Eryth sea as much as they wish.”
Eunie frowned but didn’t argue, she didn’t really like that Shulk and them were being treated with the same skepticism she was met with, but with mass extinction on the line she could understand why Sorean might be hesitant to let them loose.
“Where are they being held now?” Melia asked.
“In a guest room overlooking the city.”
“You mean a glorified prison cell?” Melia pinched the bridge of her nose “At the very least tell me the knights who took them didn’t lock them away.”
“They did.” Kallian told her “Why?”
She gripped her staff a bit tighter “What is the point of having authority when nobody bothers to adhere to it?”
“The point is that you have to deal with that insubordination.” Sorean answered “Come now Melia, A taught us both, didn’t she? You know what to do now.”
“Kindness is a virtue. But never let yourself become a doormat.” Melia muttered “Understood Father. Eunie, we’re going to find Tyrea. Perhaps Zeon as well. To keep her from going too far.”
Eunie smirked and gave a salute “You got it Mels.” She gave a quick bow “Nice ta see ya, your Majesty. And thank you, your approval means a lot to her.”
“I am an Emperor and a father both.” Sorean reminded “You just keep my daughter out of trouble.”
Eunie gave a salute “You got it!”
“You let her get away with too much Father.” Kallian sighed as he watched Eunie run after his sister.
“My son, when you’ve been emperor for as long as I’ve been. Sometimes the crassness that girl brings is the highlight of my day. Besides, Melia is fond of her.”
“I still don’t trust her. Her story has too many holes. But I can’t refute that second point.”
“Well if that’s all settled.” Alpha crossed his arms “We have much to discuss.”
“Oh? About what?”
“I need you to grant those Homs access to the High Entia Tomb.”
G wasn’t used to traveling by boat. Or well, he was and he wasn’t. Godfrey had plenty of experience with Titan ships. The man hopped from titan to titan many a time in his hundreds of lives. But G? The man he was now. G had no need for that. G was Moebius, and as such he could teleport to wherever he damn well pleased. It was convenient until he needed to go somewhere with a non-Moebius.
He should have just denied P’s offer, but the woman was a pest when she didn’t get what she wanted, and his core still burned from his bout with Dagas all those years ago. You see, Dagas’s final attack wasn’t as ineffective as they all believed. Yes, he regenerated, but the heat created a large crack within his core crystal. Not big enough to shatter it, but large enough that much of his power had leaked out. He was still Moebius, he was still strong, but he wasn’t in the same league as his colleagues anymore.
As much as he hated to admit it, he needed the help to make up for his current weakness. If only the two Blades he was given could have been better company…
The twins as P calls them aren’t actually similar appearance-wise or personality-wise. But all of the Blades within P’s company had pseudonyms like that. Miyabi was the Musician, Sheba the Lover, Corvin the Duelist, Azami the Puppetmaster, and these two were the Twins. They work as a duo and have a similar stature, so that’s where the name originated from. The first, was Electra, a complete crybaby with a decent amount of electric power behind her. The girl may have been recruited around the same time as Sheba, Corvin, and Azami, but there were lines even P wouldn’t cross. Electra was a young child, even if her core crystal was technically much older, mentally the Blade was young. P wasn’t going to dope up a kid, even if she’s definitely done much worse.
The downside to this was that Electra was… well she was a kid. She wasn’t bratty and didn’t throw tantrums. But she was overly sensitive, and a tad unaware. The biggest positives G could spot were that she shared his old weapon, a true Blade’s weapon deemed useless in the hands of weak humans who couldn’t handle swinging around its greater mass, she was able to listen and follow orders, and most importantly she wasn’t the other one.
Oh by the Architect the other one.
Finch was by all means the worst Blade G’s ever had the displeasure of working with. In any of his lives. And he had a feeling P held a similar opinion. The girl had been under her employ for about a year now, and while originally P was unwilling to use the usual methods on her for the same reasons as Electra, after a month or two her hand was forced.
Not that that worked anyway, the dumb bitch would just forget what P did to her. It wasn’t even memory loss caused by trauma, the imbecile just did not remember. G was looking forward to absorbing that one, the powers of rare blades always did wonders for healing his core.
He just had to wait a little longer.
But until then he could take solace in the fact that they finally made it to the Lindwurm base, and he wouldn’t have to deal with the incessant whining of those two pests in the comfort of his own quarters. There was just one final obstacle he had to get past…
The hatch in the back of the Titan ship opened and G was met with rows of Lindwurm soldiers led by a singular Blade performing a salute. “Welcome back Captain! Did you tell the mistress I did a good job?” That was Newt, or the Slave Driver as she was known in the company.
“Of course.” G easily lied “Your work here is invaluable.”
“Ooooooh why’d you do a thing like that?” Newt sighed “I’ve been working my body so hard. I was hoping I’d be able to handle the punishment.”
'Right, I forget, all of P’s girls are batshit insane. Besides, if you're a Blade, your body won’t get stronger through training. I cannot fathom what this moron is hoping to accomplish.'
“Oh! That’s okay! I don’t remember mister J here telling the boss-lady anything.”
“His name is G.” Electra put her hands on her hips as she corrected Finch “And you not remembering it doesn’t mean much. You forget things all the time.”
“What? No? I don’t remember not remembering.”
G felt his brow twitch “Well Newt, if you don’t have anything to say after the welcome party, I’ll be returning to my quarters. To prepare for my assault on the factory.”
“I do have something to say, sir! And it’s truly horrible of me to make you wait so long to hear it. Maybe tell Miss P that?”
‘It’s a good thing that centuries of memories have dulled any sort of conscience I had.’ G mused ‘Else I’d find her masochism quite concerning.' “Well? Are you going to tell me or tease me with it?”
“Oh! Right! Apologies. What I wanted to tell you was, that the Aegis landed in Mor Ardain just this morning, and Torna the day before.”
“Lagging behind again am I?” G sighed “In that case prepare a grand welcome for our guests in Alba Cavanich.”
“Understood sir!” Newt saluted again “I’ll set out with the troops at once!”
G’s face morphed into a savage smirk as soon as Newt left ‘With that thorn in my side out of the way, I can finally focus on what really matters.’
Getting my strength back so I can rip the arms off of that smug fool Dagas.