Chapter Text
Its been twelve years since the cloud sea dispersed and the titans joined with the land the endless sea of white now changed with an endless sea of blue in all decorated with many smaller islands the shapes of the largest titans that can be made out in the distance the have now become one with the land covered in an spirited green vibrating with the new life with the eternally present world tree in the distance looking over all of Alrest now known as to all as the last standing artifacts from the world of the architect.
The stories of a sea of white were beginning to become stories towards the newer generation used to inspire those born into a world free of strife with more land than people knew what to do with. Food, water and other resources aplenty. Tales of ancient drivers and their legendary blades now lost to those who remember of sealed in pages of forgotten literature. The miscellaneous items and decerped budlings from the old world saw the sun for the first time for close to an eternity fresh air needlessly running throughout the myriad of half forgotten alley ways and shops, concrete drinking up fresh rain water and letting it pool on the tops of roofs nurturing new life the grew off the sides to eventually scale down like hair off a head.
Azurda's draconic roar spread freely through out the air wings open flying freely sandwiched between the blue of the sky and the sea, the sun kissing his back with a holy warmth that spread throughout his body and blood. Mythra stood proudly unaffected by the altitude or speed her long blond hair trailing behind her well groomed keeping its signature shape and style from five hundred years ago. Behind her was Milton keeping low towards the ground keeping in his centre of mass for even a sliver of control his hand dug into the grass foot firmly anchored to the ground but the boy held his head high ignoring the small tears streaming down his cheek spiky hair that had his mothers golden shine that now started to dirty with streaks of brown in later years.
"What wrong scared?" Mythra looked back with a hand on her hip with a smile " We could slow down if this is too much for you."
"No I can handle this... It's just so cold all the way up here I should've brought something also there aren't any seats or anything how are you not scared of falling off!"
"Well I know that even if we did fall Azurda would catch us. Besides this "fear" of falling off is all in your head."
"All in my head? Also what do you mean would catch us that doesn't sound any better!"
"Just try it come on." Mythra turned fully to face her son as if he was taking his first steps all over again. Milton put his head down and focused his attention on his right leg bringing his knee towards his chest then his left now set up in an half assed squat next his arms spread wide to gain balance lightly gripping onto the spiked protrusions on the side of the titan he used the spike as a base so position the rest of his body upright by leaning towards it then slid into an upright position.
"Half way there now come on." Milton bit the bottom of his lip just to see if he was still alive and peeled away from the spike now on his on two feet his arms were now again spread out to his side ready to return to the reliable lilac spike's.
"There now I'm standing this good enough?"
"Don't be silly you look like a scared Nopon"
"Well as long as it works I don't see a problem with it!" A small burst of turbulence quickly passed the underside of the titan Milton's body was now latched onto the side of the titan using a piece of rope that was fastened on from weeks prior the further secure him self.
"Ooh! Felt that one" Azurda's voice made his body tremble with a deep vibration if Milton didnt know any better he would though it was an earthquake personally set to bump him off.
"Your not making this any better can't you grow a tree or two!"
"Well if I did I wouldn't be as fast! besides it much prefer having my backside free."
"Still can't believe that dad used to live like this. Sound like a fairy tale." His golden eyes looked towards the world tree in the far distance over looking the world of Alrest "Actually it all sound like one big fairy tale."
Mythra walked towards the her son and sat besides him following his eyes to the land of her birth and beyond.
"When you put it like that sure I guess you can say that. but you do know what they say seeing is believing right?"
"But you wont let me go see. Can't have an adventure all in your head plus I can fight well enough and I can't really ger hurt I'll just regenerate."
"But it's unsafe out there there are people that just don't see eye to eye with us."
"So is that why dads out there all the time to fight these bad guys. I bet it would go way faster if we just used Siren to get rid of them."
"Milton." Friction was felt in the air as the pair of golden eyes met neither backing down showing. Mythra shifted into a more calculative and reserved mind set calculating her next words on the boy who was unaware of the weight of his word.
"That power... it's not meant to be used like that we talked about this."
"Barley... whenever I ask what exactly Elysium is or why me and Glimmer core's are different you guys always just avoid it you know... Like Mio knows about Ma being a flesh eater and what it meant back then and she looks happy so why cant you and mum tell us what it really means to be an Aegis."
"What it means to be an Aegis?" Mythra though to her herself a word that seemingly defined her entire existence on Alrest to some a weapon to others an saviour.
" Well the term Aegis is just a name on it's own it doesn't mean anything-"
"That doesn't answers my question mom."
"I wasn't finished don't interrupted again."
"S-sorry..."
"Apology accepted. Now as I was saying the term Aegis is just a name nothing special it doesn't have any meaning. The name only came about after Malos stole the name from an Indoline treasure then destroyed it Infront the current praetor five hundred years ago claiming that he born of divinity not just some reflection."
"Well I guess that makes some sense names on their own don't hold much meaning."
"True but I'll tell you and Glimmer the rest later okay?" Mythra started to tidy up Miltons hair to make it more presentable towards the high profile members waiting for them on Origin much to her disarray.
"Okay you better promise to tell me the rest of that story!"
"Fine fine I promise! But seriously how do you tame this mess up here!"
-
Area: Origin (Left Half)
Landmark: Hanger, Lower Main Gate
Azurda approached the lower hanger landing with a lightness that stood in contrary to his size and lowed his body so his precious cargo could descend from starboard with ease into the silent machine. Origin itself was quiet no power ran through with the exception of the lights to brighten the interior and the very few moving parts to aid with traversal from the lower levels. Guards from Uraya and Tantal were present as they were the closest land masses towards it but they were few and far between and only now resided in the lower level keeping out flying monsters that roamed too closely or taking in the view from that high up.
Before long a Tantalese Knight ran forward towards the hanger entrance now sporting much lighter armour given the much warmer climate removing several layers of insulating clothing now replaced with an light yet durable leather with cut outs at the joints for easier movement and the removal of the long coat only reserved for the purpose of rank formality the only things left untouched was the the signature red hair, spear. helmet and the colour of the armour.
"Good afternoon madam please allow me to escort you through to your room"
"No need just need to see Tora I know he's still around here somewhere poking around."
"Ah! project engineer Tora would be in the control terminal"
"Thank you and don't worry your free to go I know my way around!"Mythra had developed a habit as of late to use foresight to get through the most mundane of conversations in an effort to get through them quicker it often left those on the receiving end gagged on their own words.
"Azurda we might be a while so don't stay here for our sakes ok?"
"Oh your shoving an old man like me off already?" His voiced bounced with with a laugh aged with a millennia of sarcasm.
"Come on you know its not like that besides I don't want to keep you cooped up down here."
"Alright alright say no more. It's not like I'm going to turn to stone!" Azurda checked his back and made sure Milton got off his back before descending of the edge and transitioning into a glide that seamlessly went into his flight a rare sight given the lack of free roaming Titans nowadays.
"Bye Gramps stay safe!" Milton waved away his draconic guardian and was responded with his iconic cry that marked the sky leaving Milton relatively alone in the spacious hanger admiring the complex mechanism at work given that this was his first time here and needless to say it exceeded his expectation from what he heard about it.
" Still cant believe all of this came from the world tree and that old city below... Wonder what the other half looks like..."
"Well hopefully we can see that one day come on we don't want to keep the other waiting." Mythra held onto Milton hand before heading towards one of the rising platforms that led to the control terminal through a series of lifts, corridors and strangely enough ladders. It didnt take long for the two to arrive to the control terminal one of several built to manage the systems of Origin each terminal specialising in one system or feature such as data management, storage, power and other features that all ran in sync with each other and the other half that was built in mind rather than making a central computer that managed everything in case of a cock up during use at the moment of the intersection.
Coming up on one of the more final set of a never ending array of stairs and lifts they find the control terminal Tora and Poppi was fidgeting about with.
KNOCK KNOCK
"Tora, Poppi you in there?" Mythra peeled her head through the metal arch as the terminal rooms took inspiration from the small building that once housed the Omega Fetter with a central console in the centre with a spew of cables coming and going underneath it ether lines painted the walls in with a artificial breeze that sterilised the air it made those who were not permitted in feel unwelcome. Mythra's head peeked through the arch guarding the terminal in an effort to not hit her head on delectate interments or dangling wires.
"Meh Meh? Friend Mythra is here!" Tora got his stubby arms out of the wires under the floor and attempted to tidy his mohawk and fur to become somewhat presentable his fur began and due to stress and late nights it began to grey in some places mostly present on his mohawk, the base of his wings and his body.
"Ah and it seems she brought along littlepon! Please come closer!" Milton let go of Mythra's hand and walked towards Tora they were not unfamiliar with each other but Tora's work concerning Origin has made him relatively unavailable in day to day life. Tora's wide brown eyes looked up to the to the boy who wore traditional Leftherian clothing that was famous for being light and surprisingly sea worthy with the chest section open to reveal his emerald core crystal identical to his mother in shape and brightness and was pleasantly surprised to be met with a hand to ruffle his head mohawk.
"Hehe I know who you are funny Nopon man!"
"Tora is not pet or man! He is very important engineer! Needs to be treated with much respect!"
"Why is your fur so bristly its not soft like Dromach's do you not bathe or is it because your old?"
"Wha- No! I am healthy Nopon boy and I am NOT dirty!" Tora peeled away from Milton's hand and began to do his defensive dance.
"Really now? I don't think so!" A hand began to descend towards Tora at seemingly light speed and began to rapidly pet him rendering his mohawk non existent to the Aegis' assault.
"C'mon Milton leave him alone he's not a pet!. Anyways Tora do you mind if I use the comms terminal to see how the guys from Bionis are doing."
"Meh Meh Bionis people- I- can- STOP PETTING TORA!"
"Eep! Sorry I just can't help it your so bouncy and it's kinda fun..." Miltons hand made a strategic retreat returning to his body.
"Anyway! This terminal can talk with Bionis people fine! Actually all terminal became more generalist with minor quality of life features communications is one major feature!"
"Nice! Come on out of the way lemme use the it!" Mythra ran towards the terminal and booted up a connection to the world of Bionis utilising light to communicate between both worlds and with the gap between them currently being frozen made connecting between the two worlds more consistent which led space for optimisation and improvements.
The terminal began to draw in ether from the wires below flowing towards the top that concentrated into a point that fanned out into light that shaped itself into a screen nothing was yet displayed.
"What wrong with the thingy is it broken?" Miltons posture was relaxed with arms crossed looking towards the Nopon inventor with a skeptic look.
"hehehe Tora is brilliant engineer-pon! My inventions never fail!"
The machine began to whirr and disturb the dust in the air with the light beginning to take shape from the static, noise crawled from the crevices etched into the metal messy and disorganised taking up space in the already crowded room.
BZZZT
"He__o? A__est do you __ad me?" A voice came though it was low distinctly feminine, refined and carried a strictness with it. "Alr__t do __u read me? Who's th__e!"
"Damn it! connections slipping... Tora do something!" Mythra hand were firmly on the machine looking for any glaring technical failures but the Nopons unique engineering style made this deceptively difficult.
"Don't worry Tora will fix it!" The Nopon ran towards the terminal and dashed underneath a panel with his wings and the forefront heading towards the depths of the machine followed with a click and a resonant humming sound.
"Alrest do you read me? It's Tyrea!"
"Yes we hear you just some technical issues on our end but we don't have visual yet don't worry though we can hear you just fine. Oh your talking to Mythra by the way." Mythra used her leg to kick and nudge Tora to work faster and fix the machine.
"There are other's with you? Please introduce yourselves."
Tora was the first to speak from under the terminal wings coated with a slick oil.
"Tah-da! Alrest's greatest engineers Tora!"
"Hey didn't my mom tell you to fix the machine?"
"GASP! Such rudeness! Interrupting AND undermining Tora's introduction to otherworld!"
"Well you can do all of that all over again when you get the screen working!" Tora went back below to fix the machine. It wasn't long until the screen displayed a image of the empress' shadow she hasn't aged a day and stood taller than most her silver hair flowed like water and white wings well groomed if one never knew better they would've thought her to be the current monarch.
"Oh it seems we have video now good." Tyrea gave the room a quick scan and spotted all three silently acknowledging their earlier banter. "Ah you most be the Nopon responsible for the construction of Origin on Alrest. On the behalf of the Melia and all the beings of our world we thank you." Tora puffed up his chest and raised his chin in confidence showing off to the assassin. "Lady Mythra it's good to see you looking well."
"Well what can I say life has been good as of late and I have to say you look well too."
"Thank you, now who's the gentleman hiding back there?" Milton stepped out from behind his mothers figure and into the view of the screen head tilted up eyes taking in every detail of the feared assassin.
"Oh-uh the names Milton miss it's nice to meet you."
"You look every bit like your father Milton I hope you do him proud in your future."
"Oh right yeah I'll do just that..."
"You don't sound too confident little one?"
"Well you know it's just a lot to live up to you know..." His hands were switching between being folded to by his side and oddly enough trying to reach out his hand to shake Tyrea's his mind running a million miles a minute with a million more questions at the ready not knowing where to start. Tyrea and Mythra talked for seemingly hours on end mostly about the affairs of the world and what they were planning to do going forward. Tora mostly talked about technical feats and what he planned to do in the future the conversation was wasn't nearly as long but it was just as dense he wasn't really paying much attention only keeping an ear out for buzzwords relating to Origin which was mostly regarded as an open secret for those in the known. Naturally the flow of the conversation went towards Milton and for once Tyrea was caught in a corner not really knowing how to relate to the boy sure she had Teelan to compare to but their lives were so different from life styles and how long the young boys have lived not to mention conversating causally among friends is a recent luxury she had to grow accustomed to.
A silence settled in the small room a nice break to recuperate thoughts and refresh oneself. Small pastries and vials of juices were sprinkled on a nearby table a stool brought while Tyrea had a small cup of tea with accompanying cookies. The floor was open and Tyrea stepped in and made her presence known and invited Milton with a question that would for sure pique his interest.
"Young Milton do you consider your self a strong fighter?"
"A fighter me? Obviously I wanna fight to protect just like my dad does simple as that. Although I haven't awakened my blade yet..." Milton stepped towards the terminal to get a better look at Tyrea now fully invested in the topic eyes bright but weighed with doubt.
"Awaken a weapon? Ah yes that's how things are over there a most useful power."
"Obviously although not all blades are weapons now they've changed over a bit over the years like my sister she can summon a massive instrument!" Milton exaugurated his arms to give scope the the size of Glimmers Wildfire Kithara almost knocking himself out of balance.
"Well I would love to hear that someday as well as see the plays in Fonsa Myma I've admittedly gotten quite bored with all the plays here in Alcamoth."
"Is it because you have lived such a long time and seen them all?"
"No I just find melodramatic dramas so boring they might as well be history lessons given how those old playwrights write them!"
"Ok ok ok so can I ask you a question!" Milton was essentially bouncing in place barely containing his excitement.
"You are free to ask ahead." Tyrea sat one leg crossed over another hands resting on her knee.
"Hey so did Origin work on your end or not also what does it look like?"
"Milton!" Mythra interjected in an attempt to salvage the situation as the topic of Origin was still quite a sore topic for those who truly know what happened during the events of Aionios.
"Sorry it's just- I just thought it would all work out especially after all of the work you guys put in just for it to all end up being- Sorry just forget I said anything." His voice trailed off throat choked up.
"Sorry Ty I-"
"No Mythra its ok a fair question to ask we're not strangers no need to keep secrets."
"No its not ok... I shouldn't have asked that." Milton spoke up eyes now downcast and hand kept tucked in his pockets feet kicking around loose screws and crumbs of food. "Hey look listen I'll just come back with a different question gotta go to the loo anyhow besides I know Tora would love to talk tech anyhow" Milton backed away from the terminal and ducked away from the small room into the wild alleyways of Origin however such a poor excuse didnt slip by the aged assassin. Tyrea gave Mythra quick look and the message was quickly understood and she soon exited to room to follow.
Milton walked through Origin empty lanes and bridges his consciousness seemingly fading in and out of reality not having a destination just walking for the sake of it this went on for seemingly minuets on end.
"Stupid why did you talk out like that you totally messed up and made a mess of things for Mom and Dad what's wrong with you man!" Milton scratched and ruffled with his head and walked in small circles before collapsing on his back in frustration staring at the ebony celling that slowly shifted revealing more layers of salvaged metal.
"Besides what does It means to be an Aegis anyway... It's just a name nothing too fancy she says it like the world would care hell do they? Should they?"
tap tap tap
Foot steps were heard in the distance and his body bolted upright head swivelled and got into a Gormotti battle stance neither attacking or defending just ready hand raised protecting his face.
"Shit... Who's there?"
tap tap tap
"From behind?"
tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap
Mythra ran into the area it was a load baring piece of metal that occasionally became a bridge when the metals of Origin shifted in a hypnotic fashion that overlooked the open ocean "There you are Milton what's going on..."
"Nothing it's just that I wasn't really feeling like myself just needed some air y'know"
"You know I can sense when you're lying."
"You can?"
"I'm joking obviously come on sit with me." Her legs dangled over the edge sawing over the sea below giving a view overseeing the titan of Tantal.
"If I fall architect help me..." Milton sat stifling his underlying fear of heights he would never dare to admit to anyone. "Ok I'm sat how badly did I mess up."
"Well compared to me not nearly as much. See Tantal's head over there?" Her hand traced the spine of the titan in the distance leading to its crown. "Right there is where I messed up real bad almost lost everything because I didnt fight hard enough."
"How your as strong as the World Tree is tall I don't believe you."
"Well its true even broke my blade and was separated from Rex for a bit we obviously found each other again what happened between is a entirely new story"
"Your skimming over details again!"
"Well that's not my story to tell not in its entirety anyway." Mythra hand then pointed north towards the worlds tree catching Milton's attention. "When we found each other again it was on the Cliffs Of Morytha where we awakened to our true power when we let go of the fears we carried."
"Back when you and mom shared the same body right... Isn't that also where you confessed your love to him right?"
"Rex told you that? Well yes that too..." Mythra hand were rested on her face with he elbows on her knees to accommodate her legs positions over the edge a habit she kept since the days or Torna finding comfort with the warmth from her hands laying on her face. "What is a fear you carry Milton?"
"I- I'm not scared of nothing... Well maybe heights but don't tell anyone!" The two sat for a while looking over the sea not focusing on any one thing for too long clouds walked through the air with leisure the song of the waves could be heard below with and never ending applause that spanned over the horizon.
" Sorry that I ran off like that earlier I didnt know that talking about *that* was such a sore spot for her or well everyone I messed everything up.
"Oh were going to call it *that* now? Seriously no big deal its all ok I just overreacted I had no clue how she would react especially when you just tossed up the topic out of nowhere. I think I'm just on edge because she's a princess and I do not want so mess things up."
"Well fair enough guess I have to go apologise to her majesty then wonder what is like to be a sister to a literal queen." Milton rolled away from the ledge and further into Origin where the ground was more consistent.
"Sorry mom..."
"For what?" She turned to face the boy noticing slight redding around his eyes.
"For not really being myself recently just been unsure as of late you know. I've just over heard a lot like how it might be the end of the world and stuff and with everyone working overtime and knowing there isn't stuff I can do about that well... Anyway it doesn't matter lets leave it at that ok!"
"Alright fine" Mythra stood up and dusted herself off before reaching her hand out "Walk with me?"
"No it's ok I know the way just follow me!" Milton looked around and realised he had no idea where he ended up he felt like a idiot in offering to show the way while being lost himself. " Actually never mind... But this is the last time ok!"
"You sure do apologise a lot you know that?"
That was a lie that never stood as Milton fell back on his word and held his mothers hand consistently when traveling to new or faraway places he was truly the most comfortable in Leftheria or areas with plenty of water fresh or sea. It was not long before the made it back towards the terminal Tyrea's figure was eternally present and focused on what ever jibber jabber Tora was going on about.
"Uh hi again your majesty..." Milton walked towards the podium firmly cementing his hands on its side so he didnt run away out of sheer intimidation from looking at the silver haired princess.
"Your majesty? I admit I've rarely been called that even in official circles. I suppose you have gained your baring young Milton."
"Yep! So lets just forget about before ok."
"Already forgotten. So what did you want to talk about?"
"Never thought you asked! So what's it like being a sister to Queen Melia?"
-
Area: Fonsett
Glimmer was often seen as the universal big sis of Fonsett all the girls ran to her with all sorts of things whether it was gossip or secrets admiration or advice smart as she is cold her fire burns as bright as her heart. Being the first of her siblings to awaken her blade and the best academically all around she's often felt as if she had the pressure of the world on her shoulder but she know that isn't something her family would ever do to her but she knew that someone would have to pick up the slack among her sibling given that Mio and Milton were too free spirited and adventurous to stay put and sort paper work but if it meant that her brother and sister can live in peace she would walk through a million miles of it.
She practiced her art several days in the week it was her way of destressing from several more days of thorough studying not out of necessity or survival but to not to think about the incoming end and now that said end passed over she had more time as of late to decide what she wants in her life. Today her lesson was different as it involved her blade weapon instead of the traditional string instruments she preferred to use a personal mission of hers to unlock its true potential.
Her potential.
Glimmer summoned her Wildfire Kithara and prepared a stance similar to that of a Bass Violin to accommodate the size of her blade even though it adjusted to her size given her age it wasn't perfect but since was anything was when someone was new to something but she has time by her side.
"Good now hold it lets see how it feels." Ursula was sat Infront of her with Beary resting on the floor besides her being besides a silent guardian. Her life has drastically changed now being a famous singer performing any where and everywhere soothing and endless souls across Alrest and taking the time to teach music where she went now no longer needing to fight hell there were rumours that blades that no longer wanted to fight and truly lived their lives forgot to summon their blades.
"It feels ok a bit strange though can't really feel the weight of my Kithara like a regular instrument I don't honestly think I can get used to that."
Glimmer summoned the bow of her Wildfire Kithara and began to play a simple song just to warm up her fingers pressed on the strings of ether with earned discipline and confidence the sound it made was divine only being held back by the acoustics of the room an innate benefit of this being a blade is that she did not have to manually tune her instrument. She began to pour small amounts of ether into it sparking it alight with a flash and flame. The heat was of no effect to her given it belonged to her as a fire blade and that her teacher was an ice type blade.
"I feel like I can raise this higher should I?"
"If you feel comfortable doing so but try not the burn the floor ok?"
A raise of her bow on the string caused it to vibrate this gave her the confidence to play much harder the flames rose and threatened to leap out but was contained without much effort. Glimmer stopped playing and pouring ether into her blade the flames dissipated into the ether without any smoke.
"Why did you stop? You was doing well." Ursula looked at her student with worry even Beary perked his head up searching for where his music went.
"The flames were going to come out I don't want to hurt you or burn the room."
"But you have full control over them. Besides fire can heal not hurt I know I've seen it happen"
"You think I have a healing type blade? I always assumed I was a non combatant type."
"Well go and see I've always wanted to help break other people out of their shells ever since I've had help breaking out of mine." Ursula stood up and mounted Beary giving silent protector a quick hug and rub. " Lets go out side and see what you can do! Can't break anything out there and if anyone gets hurt me an Beary will fix them up!"
Student and teacher left the studio towards the many beaches of Leftheria settled not far from the music school its sandy white beaches spooning the land masses across the archipelago. The sun began to set the sky painted a warm orange with hues of reds and pinks as if it was painted by an artist, the water surprisingly warm began to fall asleep waves lazily lapping the shoreline licking leftover shells and rocks. Glimmer summoned her Kithara and dug it into the sand for stability and resumed the Bass Violin stance in a standing position. Ursula stayed on Beary adopting Nia riding position from when she rode Dromach ready for action. The strings of ether came to with one end being strung and plucked with the bow while the other hand aided with a small motif Glimmer often hummed or strummed in her time. Near the end of the motif Glimmer poured more ether into her blade the strings began to alight with flame again threatening to burst from their string prison. One final flick of her bow bursts the flame forward free in the air as it circled her before dissipating.
"That sounded nice I feel a little stronger too!" small embers fell on Ursula small bursts of warmth tickled her cheeks and tickled Bearys nose baiting out a quite sneeze or two.
"Really I felt like I could've done more... Maybe a different song would give a different effect? No that sounds... logical."
"Ooh! That's simply amazing we've got to try more!"
"Well lets start! What song should I try?"
Hymns, rhythms and motifs carried out on the beach throughout the late afternoon coming in with varied effects that came from the burning blade each and every string of song carried though the islands that eventually put the sun to sleep a undeniable sign of the time they put in. Glimmer relaxes her right hand holding her bow and lets it relax by her side fingers lightly holding onto the tool the Kithara rested on her shoulder buried in the grass flames long extinguished with one breath out her blade dispersed into the wind with her body collapsing into the sand.
"Im-so-exhausted didnt know using so much ether can take a toll on my body..."
"hehe don't worry I can help with that" Ursula waved her hand and a cool breeze waved over Glimmer restoring her strength a much needed change in temperature given today lesson which evolved into training." This will help in the short term and with good rest you'll be right as rain!"
"Right as rain?" with a quick Kip-Up she turned to face her teacher "I'll take your word for it, thank you for today I don't want to keep you."
"Oh no it's alright todays lesson was perfect I feel like we made good progress today!"
"Feel? No I know we did, don't think I would've figured this stuff out on my own." With a hand on her core she gave a slight bow though for to formal given their relationship as a family friend it felt right to her in the moment, Beary reciprocated by bowing their head towards the sand with Ursula having a hand on her chest and bowing her head in synch with her furry friend. The two parted way's with the ice blade retreating towards the nearby inn to rest for her journey as a nation superstar.
Glimmer walked through the streets of Fonsett the ground beaten and flattened over years of commute and commerce many shops and stalls closing for the day kids played around the fountain giving her a wave and a cheeky splash the village elder gazing at the sunset as it sank lower and lower taking its warmth with it. Her family home was around the corner slightly on the edge of the village to accommodate their large family although this wasn't much of an issue as the size of the Fonsett was ever expanding over the years. Her hand held onto her keys ready to open the door when it suddenly opens Infront surprising her as she didnt expect anybody to be home.
"Glimmer! How was your lesson, what did you do today did you learn a new art?" Mio was at the door greeting her sister although in height Mio was the shortest compared to her siblings even her ears were shorter than her mothers almost indistinguishable from her hair at times.
"Whoa whoa slow down there asking way to many question way too fast. But in short it went well maybe I'll show you tomorrow. Is mom inside?"
"Yeah! We picked up some ingredients in Uraya think we're making Whitebait today."
The two sisters entered the home enamoured with the savoury scent of the fish heightened with the fish's new saltwater environment with the seeds prepped with layers Hearty Kordeth Puran hot on the side. Pyra was hard at work in the kitchen taking out the smallest of bones in the fish with machine like proficiently and speeds fires perfectly controlled without a second look or constant readjustment.
" Hey mom I'm home need any help with anything?"
"Oh Glimmer there is no need it wont be long until I'm done go wash your hands!"
Dinner was set before long with spare meals being put under wraps keeping out hungry insects. The table was set perfectly for the three of them with with room to expand as they were expecting Mythra and Milton to arrive before long.
"Hmm that's good can I have another?" Mio shared her mother appetite for fish but had her fathers hunger left unattended she could fish the oceans dry in a day.
"Hmm sure just leave some out for the other's ok?"
"Yep got it!"
"Glimmer how was your day today?" Pyra looks towards Glimmer her red eyes meeting orange.
"Well for one I leaned that ether can take a lot out of me like physically and I can set my blade on fire and shoot it about we don't know what it does but that's something I'll figure out."
"Whoa... so like is your blade extra hot?" Mio was back at the table ears catching every word
"Well I guess yes? I don't really feel the heat that much. Besides I have a new mission in mind."
"A mission?" Pyra looked with scepticism.
"Well me and Ursula found out that different songs gave out different effects I want to figure out most of them we only stuck with small motifs and experimented with scales I plan to work my way up from there and figure things out."
"That's amazing! I don't think I'll have figure that out luckily we had Ursula come through."
The three resumed their meal and before long the thumping of wings and the crashing of the waves could be heard in the distance the sun had long set and the night had taken over stars replacing clouds black overtaking blue. Mythra and Milton came through the door with the evening chill trailing in behind them they quickly washed their hands and sat at the table indulging in the hearty meal recapping on the conversation they missed.
"Gotta admit that pretty smart never thought of a blade weapon needing a sort of password to use ether ability's that new even to me." Mythra looked towards the dessert scheming a way to steal it from under Pyra's nose.
"Well I wouldn't call it a password more like a combination. you wouldn't call the ingredients to a sandwich a password."
"Well Pyra speaking of ingredients what's in the cake?"
"Its just Blossom Custard nothing too fancy just added flakes of Choclit I heard it makes it taste compliments the cake!
"Well I'll be the judge of that in a minute."
A blue flash could be seen from Rex's study subtly glowing in a pulsating rhythm that flashed through the doorway that caught the attention from the family. "I got it!" Mio ran over to the study using her natural agility to dash and weave through furnisher as if she was a small stream of water. Vaulting onto the deceptively tall chair that clung to her father scent and conformed to his posture perfectly due to years of use showing its age with a bent metals around the armrest paired with fading colours and variable leathers and cushions. The communicator was buried behind a small stacks of books and papers and odd little trinkets that came from here and there. The device itself a small circular screen that resembled a small mirror one would use for makeup with a crystal on its side that gave off the glow with a small control panel on the bottom its simplicity gave off its age further enhanced with the many small cracks and small layers of dust that built up on the circumference of the device. A quick press of the bottom panel and the screen suddenly became animated with the image of her father.
"Da!"
"Hey Mio I don't even need to be there to tell Prya made something good! What d'ya have?"
"Oh we had some fish that tasted really good and we got cake as well! Oh and what's the World Tree like all the way over there?"
"Oh you know nothing special just full of Parisax and Guldos nothing me and your ma can't handle the main objective today is to see what's wrong with the tree the systems are doing something strange. Oh before I forget mind getting your everyone in here just wanna say goodnight ya know."
Before Mio could turn around the rest of her family appeared behind her watching on the two youngest watching on one with a pensive and patient look the other being held back from running towards the communicator and ruining the moment.
"I can see you all waiting there ya know, wish I could give everyone there a hug."
"Wait where's Ma?" Mio questioned her dad.
"Well she out healing some of the mercs that got hurt by the some of the machines and monsters sorry she couldn't be here."
"Whoa they must be pretty tough if Ma has to be there all queen like are you going to be okay?"
"Yeah 'course I will be I be back real soon I promise you that! Can I have a quick chat with your moms really quick." The three quickly left the room at the behest of her father leaving only the two Aegis's " Hey Pyra, Mythra got some news and not of the good variety."
"Well what is it?" Pyra looked at her driver with worry Mythra looked more serious and was already one foot out the door mentally to aid her husband. Rex quieted his voice ensuring it can't be over heard.
"Something strange been happening at the World Tree fog beasts have been appearing possessing and forming out of the old tech." Rex's fingers were interlaced with his elbows on the table.
"Fogbeasts? Impossible thought we solved that crisis years ago besides if this was true I would've recognised the energy coming from the portals" Mythra posture stiffened eyes widened and senses heightened.
"Not the regular kind they got some sort of purple aura and no real weaknesses or strengths they move and fight like machines it's weird heck they aren't even aggressive or defensive."
"Weird indeed..." Pyra thought.
"There is also a rift so we'll need you powers to help close things up."
"Ok got it we'll drop the kids off somewhere as we make our way over. Pyra any thoughts as to where?"
"We should let them decide that at worst we can leave them here."
"Thanks guys I know I can count on you guys, you call the kids back in." The door opens with the three kids walking in with Mio pretending to be oblivious to the news.
" Hey kids sorry that took so long just boring adult stuff I had to get through."
"Well boring as it is when are you going to take us along for your missions one day! We're strong enough to help!" Mio eyed the master driver with a look that even made him shrink back.
"Hey come on that's not fair..."
From the distance a Urayan man with a strong accent could be heard shouting for his boss's aid a symptom in showing that something bad had or is currently happening.
"Oi Rex it's getting bad those things are moving in!"
"Got it Zuo. Just let me finish up here first."
Rex looked back towards the communicator now standing his body barely fitting in the frame given his size.
"Righto guess it's time to get to work. Mio, Glimmer, Milton love you all and have a good night alright."
"Wait so soon I know they need you but cant you stay for a minute longer?" Glimmer stepped forward so the communicator could pick up her voice.
"Wish I could truly you know how long these could go. Pyra, Mythra love you both and see you soon and Milton take care of your sister's when I'm not there got it!"
"Yeah I promise you that they wont get hurt one bit!"
"That's my boy. Alright see you guys soon."
The blue light on the machine went out the ether fizzled out with the metals cooling soon after. The five of them were left alone in the study some with more info than other's.
"Soo me and Pyra are going to help your dad all the way out there at the world tree the mercs aren't going to cut in and they're going to need the extra fire power. So you guys are gonna go on a little vacation tomorrow."
"We are?" Mio looked to her sibling with equal confusion.
"Yep! Sorry we had to spring this on you so we'll give you tomorrow morning to decide on where to go!"
Pyra was idly fidgeting with a piece of salvage mentally preparing for serious potentially life threatening combat after a decade of living with her family that rex promised her so long ago she truly loved the life that they have built for themselves with all of their shared kids, beachside house and lavish meals seemingly living like royals. Mythra was ready to fight again unlike Pyra she always was as she constantly offered herself up whenever Rex went onto his missions ready to fight for their family wanting to prevent another Torna from happening ever again not to her or to anyone else in Alrest.