Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The Shoulders of the Bionis are both pleasant places to visit, though Egil has a certain fondness for the Shoulder of Gran Dell. The weather is always pleasant, even when the occasional storm appears overhead. Helped by the various homes and fortresses there are to take refuge in, potentially. Helped by the fact the man he has feelings for is always with him, more likely.

Really, the only issue with the Shoulder of Gran Dell is the spiders. That was just as a visitor from the Mechonis, where such threats didn’t exist. Egil can only imagine how troublesome it is for the Giants.

The High Entia had moved themselves to Eryth Sea -- built upon it to make a home free from that danger. The Nopon rarely made themselves known on the Shoulders for similar reason, finding safe haven in their village in Makna Forest…

Though the spiders exist even there, according to Arglas. Down to the marsh, as it’s coloqiually called. Where High Entia and Astra Giants alike live. 

Astra, Luna, and Sol. Different subspecies with the Giant race. Arglas, with his purple skin and height, belongs to that of the Sol subspecies. The ones that lived furthest up the Bionis, squarely on the Shoulders.

The Shoulders they had no plan on leaving. Just as the Luna Giants and Astra Giants had no plans of leaving Makna Forest or the marsh. They may travel between each, but they have no plans to go any further than that. They’re a stubborn people.

Arglas, not so much. Though he does hunt for an answer to the problem. For the sake of their descendants, he tells Egil. So they survive long enough to travel past their homes and discover what lies in wait.

“The Monado is said to be the sword of the Bionis itself,” Arglas says one day. “I’ve been trawling through what little we have in the way of ancient records and I think it may be the key.”

“Oh?” Egil asks, curious. “How so?”

“It’s said to be the key to survival. A way to cull impure life -- such as the spiders, who wish to eradicate all but their own,” Arglas says. “I am not much of a fighter, but if I could bring the Monado to King Agni…”

“You think he may be able to quell the threat?” Egil suggests.

“Yes,” Arglas grins at him. “And perhaps I can learn a bit more about our past while I’m at it. To understand the past is to move into the future, after all.”

“True, my friend,” Egil smiles. “Do you have any idea where to begin your search?”

“The sword is not a simple sword -- it is something ethereal,” Arglas explains. “It appears only when needed and wanted.”

“So it should appear for you, should it not?” Egil asks.

“It should, and so it is simply a case of understanding where the sword will appear. The text was a bit… hazy on that part,” Arglas admits.

“Mmm, I see,” Egil strokes his chin and thinks. “Surely it will appear where you are -- somewhere on the Shoulder. If we simply look…”

“My thoughts exactly,” Arglas smiles. “And I see you used the word we… Would it be you are willing to help me, my friend?”

“Well, if you would have me,” Egil says, trying to keep himself calm. “If you believe this is a Bionis only journey, I would understand--”

“I would love to have your help, my friend.”

Egil finally returns his smile. “It would be my honor, then.”

Egil prepares himself for battle -- leaving Giant settlements is just asking for trouble. The spiders are quick to act -- he’s seen corpses of High Entia and Giants alike left behind by an attack. Helped move them to the water so they can return to the Bionis.

That’s why most carry a weapon now -- even Arglas. A handmade sword that can do enough damage to at least keep him safe. Egil makes use of the machines Mechonis is known for -- attack-type Mechon drones he keeps close for the travel.

He readies them as they set out from Gran Dell. It doesn’t take long for spiders to descend onto them. Egil is quick to move, using his drones to freeze the thing in place. It doesn’t take long for it to move again, but it’s slowed. Lethargic from the cold, no doubt.

He digs a heel into its side as Arglas knocks it off balance. With it on the ground, it doesn’t take long for his friend to behead it. A grizzly sight, blood and ether oozing from where the head once was, but a needed one.

The quicker the spider died, the better. That was the thoughts of the Giants. As a guest, Egil feels it best to go along with it. Even if he has little stomach for violence (as most Machina did).

They continue their trek, up and down every crevice looking for any sign of the Monado. Checking with every Giant settlement for any sign of it. There was nothing but a trail of dead spiders. Beheaded and speared through with Arglas’s sword. At least, so far.

They’re nearly to the end of the Shoulder -- at least the area that’s explorable. The sky had been gray the entire time, but now it’s pouring. Egil makes a face and holds out a hand. Hopefully it won’t be bad enough he gets weakened.

“I believe we are coming up on a fortress,” Arglas says. “We can wait for the rain to pass if you would like.”

“No, we’re nearly done,” Egil says. “Please, carry on.”

“Are you sure?” Arglas asks.

“Yes,” Egil nods.

Arglas returns the nod and they continue their trek. Back around the final fortress there lies only one more spider. Seemingly guarding something on an outcrop of land. Egil holds his breath -- could this be…?

Arglas seems to think so too and he rushes at the beast. Egil gasps and chases after him, joining the fight. This one is stronger than the others; angry, too. Egil takes at least two too many attacks for Arglas’s sake.

But they’re able to defeat it. Arglas once again beheading the creature and leaving its body to dissolve into nothing more than ether. Egil grasps his side and smiles, trying to pretend he’s not hurting.

“Well, that could have gone a bit better,” he says casually.

“Are you alright?” Arglas moves to his side and moves his hand. “You’re injured.”

“It’s not that bad,” Egil replies. “I--”

But Arglas isn’t listening, already harnessing the atmospheric ether to heal the wound. He’s always been like that -- very caring towards Egil and his person. All part of ensuring they can live long, healthy lives he would say.

It makes Egil’s core whirr.

“Thank you,” he says. “Shall we continue the hunt?”

“I don’t think we need to,” Arglas replies as he turns his head towards what was being guarded.

There stands a bright red sword, pressed into the ground. It’s around the size a weapon would need to be for a Giant to wield it -- which he supposes makes sense if Arglas is the one looking for it. It stands out against the grey drizzle and green grass.

It feels almost like it was waiting for this very moment, when it would most strikingly be seen, to show itself. As if the Bionis itself wanted the occasion to be momentous. Or maybe it’s just the long trek and rain getting to Egil.

“Go ahead,” Egil says with a smile. “Claim your prize.”

“I would not call it a prize,” Arglas replies with a laugh. “But alright, I will.”

Egil watches him approach, even as the strom thunders on. It does not faze him, at least not visibly. A piece of him does say this feels like a bad omen, discovering the sword in such weather…

But he’s likely just tired from the journey. Like he told himself before, it’s just the journey and rain getting to him. Everything would be fine. He tells himself that again and again as Arglas picks up the monado and thrusts it to the side.

It fits in his hand as well as his hand-made sword. Or perhaps even better.

Then, as suddenly as they had found it, Arglas is fighting the sword and from the sword comes a light. A horrible, blinding light that Egil has to look away from. It burns, in a way light should not. So different from the comforting light of Meyneth.

When he looks back, Arglas is hunched over. He straightens after a moment and looks back at him. Something about his look seems so… off. Egil swallows down that feeling and approaches.

“Are you alright?”

“Just fine,” Arglas says. “Perhaps even better than ever. Just holding it… Yes, this sword is what we need to cull the impure.”

“Ah, wonderful,” Egil says. “Then when you give it to King Agni--”

“Actually,” Arglas cuts Egil off. “I think I might keep my hands on it for a while longer. There’s still so much to be done, after all.”

Egil deflates a bit -- that doesn’t sound like Arglas… But perhaps he wants to understand that light as well? He did overpower it with time (at least, he thinks he did), so the next step was to understand just what he overpowered.

“Of course, my friend,” he decides to say. “Would you like help researching the sword, or--”

“No,” Arglas shakes his head. “I think I will do it myself, at least for now. In the future, though.”

“Of course,” Egil forces a smile. “In the future.”

There’s a moment of silence that seems to last an eternity then. Egil flexes his hands in and out of fists, waiting. Hoping Arglas would say something that makes the anxiety building in his chest vanish.

But instead, he makes it worse. “Can you make it back to Mechonis on your own?”

“Oh, of course,” Egil says. “I know you usually walk me to the bridge, but I have no doubt I can navigate the journey myself.”

“Good, I need some… time to think,” Arglas says. “Go ahead, then. We can speak again tomorrow.”

“Of course, I look forward to it,” Egil smiles.

Arglas does not smile back.

As he walks, he thinks. The more he thinks, the worse everything gets. What was that light? Why was Arglas acting so off after it had appeared? Was something wrong with him or was Egil overreacting…? He does not know and that makes it worse.

He tries to stop thinking, but he cannot. Not even as he returns to Agniratha, his beautiful home.

Back within the confines of the Mechonis, the rain no longer falls on him and he can breathe a bit easier. No risk of rust anymore, at the very least. The buildings shine, even in the dim light brought in by the clouded sky.

Machina, Giants, and High Entia alike all travel the streets. Talking to one another and making plans. There’s even a few Nopon, though most claim Mechonis to be too metal for their liking. It’s alive and bustling, as always.

There’s nowhere he would rather call home.

He walks through the streets and his anxiety eases a bit, but it does not fully dissipate. The usual calm and joy Agniratha brought him wasn’t enough this time, he supposes. He may need to recharge on it all and speak to Arglas once more to calm down.

He’s in his head, walking over the possible questions to ask him in fact, when Vanea and Linada sneak up on him. He jumps more than he would like to admit when Vanea pokes his sides, but that’s his own fault for not paying attention.

“Hello to you too,” he says as he turns to look at them, a frown on his face.

“Oh, someone’s grumpy,” Linada teases. “Usually when you come back from seeing your Giant friend you’re all smiles.”

“Linada is right,” Vanea says. “Did something happen.”

“No!” Egil shakes his head. “Well…”

“Well?” Vanea asks. “Go on.”

“It’s nothing, just my mind playing tricks,” Egil says, though he doesn’t sound like he even believes himself. “He and I found an ancient weapon today and he was being a bit strange, but surely it’s just his excitement.”

“But you’re anxious about it either way,” Linada says. “Correct?”

“Yes.”

“There’s only one cure for that,” Linada replies. “Vanea?”

“That’s right, some time with your own people for once,” Vanea teases. “I know you like that friend of yours a lot , but it’s time to give your sister and best Machina friend some attention, don’t you think?”

“I am… not sure,” Egil replies. “I was actually thinking about going to recharge early tonight.”

Vanea pouts at him. A pout that often hits him where he is weakest. He looks away. Linada follows his gaze with one of the few looks that can actually scare him here on Mechonis (though not as much as High Judge Themyx’s could). He tries to look away, there’s Vanea again.

“You two,” he mumbles. “Won’t stop until I give in, hm?”

“Exactly,” Linada says. “Glad you’re finally starting to pick up on how we do things.”

“You think he would have gotten it some few hundred years ago at latest,” Vanea says. “But he can’t be advanced with everything, I suppose.”

Linada nods. “Too true, interaction with others is his one weakness.”

“You’re not making me want to spend time with the two of you right now, you know,” Egil mumbles.

“We say it out of love, Brother,” Vanea wraps an arm around one of his. “Now come on, let’s get your mind off things so you can recharge with a clear head. Better than risking nightmares about your friend, hm?”

“You do have a point,” he sighs as Linada links her arm with his free one. “Fine, then. Let’s see what there is to do around Mechonis.”

“I knew you would see things our way,” Linada says.

“Not like you gave me much choice-- ouch! Vanea!”

“Oops, I didn’t mean to step on your foot,” Vanea says innocently. “I’m sorry, Egil.”

“You two are the worst,” Egil grumbles. “Why do I spend time with you again?”

“Because you love us?” Vanea suggests.

“Because Rax is always busy and your Giant friend is too?”

“Maybe a bit of both,” he admits. “Now come on, before I change my mind.”

Chapter Text

Egil is wandering the streets with Vanea and Linada in tow when they happen upon the Judicial District. If Meyneth’s Shrine was the heart of Agniratha, this could be considered one of the lungs, along with the Legislative district. Doing the work needed to keep the heart pumping blood through the city.

It also happens to be where High Judge Themyx is often found. It just so happens she’s out and about -- busy with who knows what. She and Miqol often acted as the two branches of their laws and judicial system -- maybe he’d done something that piled up work on her desk. That would be very like his father, Egil thinks.

“Egil,” she says, stopping him in his tracks. “Since your father felt it necessary to clutter my desk with a multitude of requests…”

Ah, so Miqol was the reason she was so busy. He sort of wishes he hadn’t been able to call that so easily… But alas, what could you do when your father was… like that? Something hard to even describe?

“So I haven’t been able to return these texts to the library,” she shoves a stack of books and a few scrolls towards him. “Be a dear and take them there for me, will you?”

“Of course, High Judge,” he says without missing a beat. “We would be happy to assist.”

“Dragging poor Linada into it, I see,” she replies.

“What about me?” Vanea asks.

She looks at the woman. “You are also Miqol’s child, making you help out is fair game in my eyes.”

“Fair enough,” Vanea mumbles.

Themyx smiles at her. “It’s because he raised you both to be so trustworthy that I’m asking you to do it. Don’t be so down, dear.”

Vanea’s cheeks deepen to a darker shade of grey. “Thank you, High Judge.”

Themyx laughs. “That’s enough tricking flattery out of me for now, don’t you think? I have work to do and so do you three, at least now you do.”

Egil nods, repositioning the books and scrolls in his arms to be a little less precarious. High Judge Themyx bids them farewell and then it’s time for the walk to the library, positioned not too far from the Central Tower. Better to keep all their information close, Egil supposes.

It doesn’t take too long to make it to Calcos Pillar and even less to make it to the second Residential District. Once there, it’s just a matter of walking in and hoping the librarian on duty wasn’t Verix.

She… doesn’t like Egil much, given how much time he spent in there, poring over books and occasionally folding down pages of interest when he didn’t think to stop. He was part of the reason she was slowly digitizing the entire collection -- he wonders how that’s even going. He hasn’t been to the library since he befriended Arglas, after all…

He walks in and -- dammit, it’s Verix. She gives him such a look as soon as he walks in and he pretends not to notice it. Instead, he places the books and scrolls down on the desk in front of her.

“From High Judge Themyx,” Egil says. “She asked us to deliver them for her.”

“Did she now?” Verix asks. “Or did you offer so you can come make a mess of my library again?”

His cheeks are surely dark grey, based on the way Linada and Vanea are both giggling and snickering in response. “She asked; you can feel free to ask the High Judge herself if you do not believe me.”

“I think I might,” she says as she starts looking at each scroll and book carefully. “Hm… no damage to these, so at least you didn’t mess the job up.”

Egil scowls. “Did you think I would?”

“You never know with your types -- treating books like they’re nothing more than a collection of paper…” She clicks her tongue. “At least the digitization is nearly done. I can force you to use that, instead.”

“Glad to hear it going well,” Egil rolls his eyes. “If you’ll excuse us, then…”

“Yes, please go,” she shoos him away. “I don’t want you ripping any pages out of any books.”

“To be fair,” Vanea finally speaks up, amused. “He’s never actually done something that bad.”

Verix gives her a look. “Out. Now.”

No one argues and they all file out as quickly as they can. Back to wandering they go, stumbling across a few lost items here and there to hand over to Mechon service bots. It’s always a bit fun to watch them scurry off to return the item.

One of the many plus-sides of the city’s network wide request forum. It was usually quite slow, outside of lost items or little spats… But when it was needed, it worked quite well. Egil still can’t believe his father of all people designed it.

Before they know it, they’re back in the Judicial District, High Judge Themyx gesturing them over. “How went it?”

“Well enough,” Egil shrugs. “Verix… doesn’t like me much.”

“Ah yes, she brought you up when asking for a budget for the digitization of files,” Themyx snorts. “You really do not know how to treat books, do you?”

“They can still be read,” Egil shoots back. “It’s not like I destroy them. The last thing I would want to do is destroy anything of Agniratha.”

“Of course not, I’m just teasing,” Themyx drops a pouch of gold in his hand. “Here, for your hard work.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, now get going!” Themyx replies. “I’m still quite busy, you know. And you look like you could use a break, too.”

“I do?” Egil asks.

“You’ve been frazzled all day from what I can tell.”

He scowls, looking at Vanea and Linada. “Is that true?”

“Well…” Vanea says.

“Very much so,” Linada says without missing a beat.

“I…” Well, how is he to argue with all three of them. “You’re right, High Judge. The three of us will take it easy for the rest of the day.”

“Good,” Themyx smiles. “That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.”

Well, the promise to the High Judge to take it easy is ruined when Myzera comes marching past, refusing to look Xerys in the eyes. She seems angry, very angry. Something quite odd for the usually happy couple.

“I still can’t believe you!” Myzera snaps within earshot. “How dare you accuse me of missing our anniversary!”

“I’m accusing you because you did!” Xerys shoots back. “And here I thought you actually cared about me!”

“I do! If anyone doesn’t care, it’s you! Randomly switching around when our anniversary is… I can’t believe you!”

They continue to storm around the area and Egil makes a face. He’s never been… good with this kind of thing. Relationships of the romantic nature weren’t something he excelled in -- there was a reason he’d yet to tell Arglas how he felt.

He was better at keeping to himself, with a few precious friends. It was less complicated like that, less likely to become something that hurts in the future. His love for Arglas already had him acting so frazzled, he didn’t want to risk something worse like actually being with him and reacting even worse.

“Kids these days,” a voice sighs and pulls Egil from his thoughts. Standing next to him is another familiar face -- Merzik, the father of Myzera. “They can never just talk things out and figure out what made the issue even happen!”

“Indeed,” Egil says.

“At least you three aren’t like that,” he muses. “I always know I can trust you to be normal about relationships.”

“Sometimes,” Vanea says, giving her brother a look. Egil pretends not to see it.

“I’m sure they’ll sort things out,” Egil offers. “They always do.”

“I’m not sure, this is a big one,” Merzik says. “This is their two thousandth anniversary.”

The three of them cringe. That sure is a big anniversary to misremember… Shouldn’t their internal clocks have kept them up to speed, though? It feels weird they’re so unsure of the real date…

“We should talk to them,” Linada says. “I think we could solve this in no time if we really tried.”

“I agree,” Vanea says. “Besides, they’re coming back around. Now or never, as they say.”

“You two can feel free to,” Egil says. “I have no interest in getting involved with a lovers’ quarrel.”

“Suit yourself,” Linada shrugs. “Just stay there and watch.”

Vanea and Linada approach the two quickly and Egil watches Myzera decide then and there they’ll be on her side. Xerys looks like he feels the same, and so Egil feels he made the right choice staying out of it.

“That’s enough, you two,” Vanea says. “Let’s try and figure out where the issue stems from, hm?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Xerys replies. “She forgot our anniversary! I have every right to be mad!”

“That’s not until next week,” Myzera shoots back. “You forgot when it was and jumped to conclusions, didn’t you?!”

“Next week?! Are you crazy?” Xerys shoots back. “How can you be so off?!”

“Now, now,” Linada untangles one of her cables. “I think I know what’s going on here, if you two are willing to humor me.”

They look at each other, a frown on both their faces. Egil shares a look with Merzik and waits.

“Fine,” Myzera sighs. “What do you have in mind.”

“One moment,” Linada moves around her and get to work.

It’s not hard to find a port to plug the cable into and Linada furrows her brow. She must be checking all their systems, making sure they’re up to spec and correctly formatted. Ah, Egil gets it. If that really is the problem, then Linada’s a genius for catching on.

“Well,” Linada unplugs after a moment. “Your internal calendar is up to date, so I don’t see an issue on your end. Xerys, your turn.”

Xerys, still thinking he’s right and not mistaken, nods. “Not like you’ll find anything off with mine, either.”

“We’ll see about that,” Linada replies.

She plugs in and back to thinking she goes. Vanea absent-mindedly rubs Myzera’s back while they wait. The tension in the air is… palpable. How the two of them can be in the thick of it, Egil will never understand.

“Well,” Linada says. “Looks like your internal calendar got thrown off by about a week and a half, somehow. Let me just…”

Xerys lets out a yell and stands as Linada pulls the cable out of his port and he looks a bit dizzy. Both common signs of a reset to something in the system -- proof Linada hadn’t been bluffing about his calendar, Egil supposes.

He stumbles and Myzera shifts away from Vanea to catch him. “Are you okay?”

“Looks like I was wrong,” he says weakly. “I’m sorry, love.”

“Oh Xerys,” she says. “You really thought I had forgotten, it’s not your fault your internal calendar was thrown off. I forgive you.”

“It gives me more time on my present, too,” he says. “So I guess it’s not all a waste.”

“Not at all.”

Linada and Vanea make their way back to Egil and Merzik, smiles on their faces. Thank Meyneth they were able to solve all this without much issue… If Egil had helped, he’s quite sure he would have made a mess of things.

“Thank you two so much,” Merzik says. “I knew it was something like that going on… It just didn’t make sense for either of them to forget!”

“I had a feeling as soon as I heard their arguing,” Linada replies. “At least it was an easy problem to fix.”

“You’re great with people, Linada,” Vanea compliments. “Part of your doctor training, I’m sure?”

“You could say that,” Linada smiles. “Though I’ve been told I have a natural magic touch with things like that.”

“I would agree with that!” Merzik says. “Here, I have a few spare ether gems I bought for decorations. But I think you could make more use of them.”

He hands them to Linada and she smiles, nodding at him. “Thank you, Merzik, you’re too kind.”

“It’s the least I can do when you just saved my daughter’s relationship,” he replies. “You kids have a good rest of your day!”

“Thank you, sir.”

The Samyati is a well known ship in Agniratha -- namely because it was so finicky and nearly impossible to actually get up and running. That didn’t stop the engineer slash pilot, Tixret, from doing everything he could to get it working.

It didn’t stop him from dragging others into it, either. Egil should have known not to bring Vanea around this part of Agniratha lest she get dragged into it. He knew Vanea wouldn’t say no -- that’s why he always asked her.

“Vanea, my friend!” Tixret called out. “Just the Machina I was looking for!”

“Oh, hellow Tixret!” She stops, Linada and Egil having little choice but to follow. “Can I help you today?”

“I was wondering if you could go about the Central Factory and look for some Angel Engine Xs for me,” he says. “I have a lot of work to do here, but I’m lacking a few of those and just don’t have time to go down there…”

“We would be happy to help,” Vanea says, seemingly not noticing the way Tixret was definitely taking advantage of her. “Isn't that right?”

“Sure,” Linada says. “Why not?”

“I suppose,” Egil mumbles.

“Thank you, I’ll be sure to pay you well for the help,” he says. “Promise!”

“Of course, we’ll be back soon,” Vanea says.

With that, it’s off to the Central Factory without much of a choice. Egil doesn’t spend as much time here as before, but he still remembers it well. Large and sprawling. Running on its own, with Machina around simply to keep an eye on all production.

As they walk, all three of them pick up this and that. Egil has to shoo more than one cable mouse as they go. Those damn things are so pesky… Always setting production back by months or even years.

It doesn’t take too long to find about… five or so Angel Engine Xs, at least. That should be plenty, right? Egil supposes Vanea might want to look for more, but it’s getting later and later and he still has quite a bit to recharge on…

“That’s enough,” he puts a hand on her shoulder. “You do know Tixret is just using you, don’t you?”

“Of course I do,” she replies.

“You do?” Linada asks.

“Well, there’s nothing else he could be doing,” Vanea replies. “But fixing the Samyati is more important than that to me. Who knows when we’ll need it.”

“Never, if things keep up as they are now,” Egil says. 

“It’s better to be safe than sorry, though,” Vanea argues. “That’s all we’re doing -- being safe.”

“If you say so,” Egil sighs, shaking his head. “...Still, five is surely enough.”

“I’m not sure…” Vanea says.

“Then six is,” Linada picks up a nearby one that Egil hadn’t even noticed. “We’re heading back now, yes?”

“Fine, fine,” Vanea sighs. “I can see you two are tired of this little excursion so we can cut it short.”

They make it back to Agniratha in time and Egil is glad to be nearly done with it. He plans on separating as soon as possible after this -- he wants to recharge already. He’s been trying to get his mind off things long enough.

Tixret sure isn’t busy when they get back and find him leaning against the Samyati. He sure tries to pretend to be busy when he realizes they’re coming his way, though. What a little slimeball, that’s all Egil can think.

“W-wow! You’re back sooner than expected!” He says. “How many did you find?”

“Six,” Vanea hands them over. “I’m sure that’s more than enough, yes?”

“Defintely,” TIxret replies. “Really I only needed three or so, so this should be enough for a while! Let me get you that payment…”

Another nice pack of gold for their troubles makes the whole thing a little more worth it to Egil. He hopes Vanea’ll spend it on something nice for herself, if nothing else. Meyneth knows she deserves it after all this.

“Thank you, good luck with the repairs,” she smiles at him.

“Ah, yes, o-of course! Many repairs left to do… back to it I go!” And with that, he vanishes into the ship and away from the prying eyes of the trio. Fine by Egil, he’s always gotten a bit of a headache from Tixret.

“Well, with that handled, I think it’s about time I go recharge,” he says. “It’s getting late.”

Vanea peers out the windows showing the outside of the Mechonis. “It does seem to be late. A shame, I was enjoying spending time together.”

“As was I,” Linada says. “We should do it some more tomorrow.”

“Ah, I have plans to go to the Bionis,” Egil replies. “I’m unsure if I’ll be able to.”

Linada and Vanea share a look and Egil knows what it is. It’s that look they get when they’re communicating quietly so he can’t try to argue with whatever they’re talking about. He swallows hard and waits.

“Why not let us come with you?” Vanea says. “You’re always talking about this and that but we don’t get to actually see any of it.”

“It would be a nice break for all of us,” Linada says. “A change of pace, you could say.”

“Well…” Egil thinks. “I suppose you have a point. Might as well meet him already…”

“Your friend?” Vanea says. “Yes, it is about time you introduce us.”

“I thought you’d never offer,” Linada teases.

Egil rolls his eyes. “And this is why I hadn’t offered before.”

“Oh come on now,” Vanea says. “We know you’re just shy! We didn’t mind waiting, but…”

“...Curiousity was eating at us, I’ll admit.” Linada finishes.

“Well, it will be sated tomorrow. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

“I’ll see you at home, Egil.”

Egil gives a nod and then walks off. This is nerve-wracking and exciting all at once. He had been meaning to introduce them both to Arglas earlier, truly, but when he was around him so much just… slipped his mind. It was hard to focus around him sometimes.

He wishes they were about to meet him under better circumstances. When he was acting more himself and that strange blinding light wasn’t involved… But he supposes beggars cannot be choosers. It’s his own fault for not setting up a meeting sooner.

They’ll love him, he’s sure of it. And he’ll love them. They will all get along and things will be fine, as if today never happened. He tells himself that as he enters his recharging hanger and drifts off.

Chapter Text

It’s early the next morning when Egil and the ladies set out for Bionis. It’s a nice day, too, compared to the rain of yesterday. Egil isn’t one to believe in omens or signs or the like, but he hopes this is a good one. A sign things will be going back to normal.

He thinks that up to the moment he’s attacked by a High Entia.

Reeling backwards, all Egil can think to do is summon his drones and hope Vanea and Linada will ready themselves. He had told them protection would be required with how far the spider problem as spread. What he had not been expecting was an attack from what should be a friendly and sapient residence.

The High Entia standing in front of them was a curious one. A choker around their neck, and robes of white flowing downwards. While most High Entia chose blues or greens, this one chose purples and reds to make up most of the accents.

From their right ear hands a bright red (or perhaps orange?) crystal, encrusted in gold. In their hand was a sword that almost seemed to be Arglas’s own handmade creation, simply shrunken or shaved down to High Entia size. Those things caught his eye more than anything else.

Their wings move minutely and once again they strike out. This time, the sword makes connection with Egil’s flesh, leaving a mark. Something that should not be possible with a sword so simple -- surely it’s not sharp enough…

“Egil, move!” Vanea’s voice breaks him from his staring and he stumbles back as she strikes out with her whip, gaining their enemy’s attention.

“What a trio,” they muse aloud. “And here I was expecting only one of you.”

Linada readies her rifle, pointing it at Egil and using a shot of ether to undo the damage the stranger had inflicted. “What can we say? It was a last minute plan.”

Not exactly the truth, but that doesn’t matter at this time. Those wings of theirs are quite pretty, Egil notices. It would be a shame should they catch fire. A real shame if his drone was the one to do it.

The fire takes and they don’t even flinch. Instead, they simply continue to clash with Vanea. She wraps her whip around their leg and they finally stumble. Egil takes his chance, rushing forward and driving a heel into their side harshly enough to draw blood.

They topple over and Linada rushes forward, driving her knee into their head. Finally, they make an actual sound -- a grunt of mild pain. How tolerant were they making High Entia these days?!

He tries to kick them again, but they aren’t as down as they seem. Grabbing his leg, he’s pulled to the ground and the sword is pointed right at his neck. Vanea yells, Linada points her rifle, and the sword starts to dig in.

“That’s enough,” a familiar voice says. “Let up on him, Halle.”

The High Entia freezes, almost like a Mechon given a command, and stands after a moment. “Oh? Things were just getting fun.”

“Attacking us out of nowhere is fun?” Egil asks as he sits up. “If Ar--”

“Zanza told me to stop in time, so there’s no reason to worry, is there?” Halle asks. “Besides, you seem fine enough to be moving around.”

“Zanza?” He asks, furrowing his brow.

“Yes,” Arglas speaks. “Zanza. Consider it my… new name. Bestowed on me by the highest honor.”

“King Agni?” Egil asks as Vanea pulls him to his feet.

“The Emperor of the High Entia,” Arglas (or perhaps now Zanza) replies. “You know they say he is the manifestation of the Bionis himself…”

He chuckles, as if there is some joke Egil is not privy to. Egil laughs with him, as to not upset him. Vanea and Linada look at him with worry, but he decides it is best not to dwell on it too long.

“This is Zanza,” he says instead. “The friend I’ve always told you about.”

“It is… nice to meet you,” Vanea smiles at him and gives a small bow. “I am Vanea, sister of Egil.”

“And I am Linada, a close friend of the two.”

“Well met,” Zanza nods towards them. “This here is Halle, Divine Seer of the High Entian Royal Family.”

Egil frowns. “I’d never heard of a position like that before.”

“There’s much you haven’t heard about,” Halle replies. “Nothing for you to worry over.”

“I agree,” Zanza says. “You know how High Entia tend to be -- very closed off whenever they can spare to be.”

“And yet we are being honored with the knowledge,” Linada muses. “How interesting.”

“Egil is a dear friend,” Zanza replies. “It’s only right he meets the person who will be helping me understand the Monado.”

“Oh,” Egil says. “Were the documents you found High Entian in nature?”

“Perhaps, perhaps not.”

Egil finds himself speechless. Usually, Arglas (Zanza?) was happy to tell him about anything he found. From its origin to what it said. It was something he was passionate about -- something Egil liked hearing about. Had he offended him in some way? Made him think he did not want to hear?

“He is only one moving part of three, though,” Zanza says. “For now, Halle is nothing more than another friend. Perhaps one that can entertain you for the day.”

“What?” Egil asks.

“What?” Vanea echoes, though with more concern.

“Halle is the only free reveal to me,” Zanza says. “I must do my best to peer into the passage of fate itself to find the others. It is a test for he who holds the Monado.”

“The Monado,” Egil says. “So you still have it?”

“Of course,” Zanza replies. “Why would I give it up if I can wield it well enough on my own? If I fail at my task, I will pass it to King Agni, but for now it is mine.”

“I… I see,” Egil says, trying to ignore the way both Linada and Vanea look at him in confusion.

He cannot blame them, not when he’s confused too. The Arglas he knows is quite the pacifist, unwilling to fight unless he must. He wanted to save the Giants, yes, but he wanted to do it on his terms. If he used weapons, it would be weapons he passed on or made himself.

The Arglas he’s told them of is similar. A man who loves philosophy and would spend his days doing nothing but speaking with Egil if he could. One who studies the past and dreams of the future. Tells Egil of these big dreams so Egil can pass them on to others of the Mechonis.

The Arglas he knows, the one they have heard of, would not hold onto a sword. No matter how divine it seemed, no matter how important it was to the Bionis itself… Shouldn’t the High Entian Emperor if anyone take it based on that?!

“You’re frowning,” Halle says, pulling him from his stewing.

Egil jumps. “Well… I just… Zanza! You asked me to come again today. You said we would speak…”

“And we have,” Zanza says. “It’s not my fault more pressing matters have appeared. I thought you of anyone would understand, Egil.”

Egil is the second tallest person in this conversation, but suddenly he feels oh so very small. “I… I apologize. It’s just--”

“We’ll speak again tomorrow,” Zanza says. “For now, Halle will entertain you.”

“Yes, thank you, Zanza.”

Zanza walks away and Egil finally notices the bright red sword at his side. That damned sword that gave off that blinding light and started this whole thing. If it was possible to be jealous of an item, Egil thinks he’d be jealous of it.

But ah, how silly that would sound if he spoke it aloud. So he didn’t -- instead, he simply looked at Halle.

“You seem upset,” Halle says.

“I am, a bit,” Egil says. “Usually when… Zanza invites me to speak we speak for hours at a time. Often I have to be the one to put a pause in them until the next time we can meet.”

“As he said, he’s busy,” Halle offers a small (and fake) smile. “Surely in a few days time he’ll be less… busy.”

“Well, you are the Divine Seer,” Egil says weakly. “I suppose I have no choice but to trust you.”

“There’s always a choice,” they reply. “It’s simply up to you to find the paths forward.”

“Always having a choice is nice and all, but this one seems to be a bit of a dead end,” Vanea says. “We came here to meet and get to know his friend, you know.”

“Well, you can all meet and get to know me instead,” Halle offers. “I know that may not mean much, but it would be better than nothing, no?”

“...I suppose,” Vanea says. “But it’s still a shame. We didn’t even get to learn his original name--”

“That doesn’t matter,” Egil is quick to say, though he sounds uncertain to his own ears. “His name is now Zanza and we should respect that.”

Vanea flinches. “Of course, my mistake. I’m sorry.”

Lady Meyneth had always taught that a name was, in many ways, the core of ones being. It carried your hopes and dreams, your pain and agony, and most importantly it carried love. Your own love and the love felt for you.

A change in name was not seen as a betrayal of this, but in fact an extension of it. To be loved is to be changed -- and sometimes you change enough that even your name morphs with you. It was a sign of love, inside and out.

Egil believes this fully, and yet he sounds so unsure. He tells himself it is nothing, that he is imagine the slight shake in his own voice… But he knows the truth. He knows something about this new name does not sit right.

Since when had Arglas cared about the opinion of the High Entia’s Emperor?

He supposes it does no good to overthink it, that just leads to a path of worry. Instead, maybe he can at least make the trip worth it. They have Halle but if he’s being honest? He wouldn’t exactly call them… entertaining.

More offputting than anything, really.

There’s more to Bionis than just Zanza and Halle, though. He’ll show Linada and Vanea around Gran Dell, maybe. The Giants there were quite kind and enjoyed his presence, he was sure they would love the ladies.

“Come on, then,” he says, trying to keep his voice soft. “There’s still plenty to see and plenty to meet, even if Zanza is busy.”

“We can always speak to him later, anyway,” Linada offers as she takes Vanea by the arm. “Right?”

“Right,” Vanea says. “No reason to waste the day trip.”

“Wonderful,” there’s that fake smile of Halle’s again. “If you’d like, I can lead the way. Or would you rather do that yourself, Egil?”

“You can lead, if you’d like,” Egil decides to say. “If you don’t mind.”

He would rather keep the stranger ahead of him, so he can keep an eye on any suspect act. Of course, Halle may be completely innocent and normal outside of their Divine Seer status… But Egil liked to be safe, call him paranoid if you will, but it’s just how he is.

Halle has no issue starting off after being told their destination is Gran Dell. They walk along almost too fluidly, Egil staring at their back. Vanea and Linada are speaking to him, trying to get him to speak… But he’s focused.

Halle looks back at him after a moment and smiles. The smile is the closest to a real one he’s seen from the High Entia and it makes Egil’s circulatory fluid run cold. It feels… malicious, almost.

Is he imagining it? Is it really that bad? He glances at Vanea and Linada. Neither of them seemed to notice. He decides to swallow it down and decide he was in fact imagining it. There was no reason to suspect a friend of the man he’s in love with, after all.

No reason… Right?

Chapter Text

Gran Dell is the most peaceful the Shoulder has these days, and even then it’s not perfect. Egil and company have killed at least ten spiders by the time they make it to the fields. The fields, which usually look so vibrant with life…

Only one of them, closer to the wall that’s meant to protect the inhabitants and their crops, seems to be a bit of a mess. There’s no signs of a spider attack, as Giants and High Entia continue to till the other fields without a worry… But something has definitely happened here.

He approaches the one Giant standing in front of the field. She’s definitely a Sol subspecies Giant, her deep blue skin giving as much away as soon as she comes into sight. Unlike Zanza, who tends to wear his hair and beard loose she’s braided them both -- likely to keep it out of the way while she works.

Her orange eyes are squinted as she stares out at the field in worry, brow furrowed. She’s quite the nice looking woman, even with her expression that of frustration and upset. It makes him think it takes quite a bit to make her look like this.

“Is everything alright?” He asks.

“Ah, hello,” she says. “I’m fine, I’ve just had some trouble with monsters.”

“They did this to your field, I’m guessing?” Linada asks.

She nods. “Little things that can sneak in and forage for food -- even if that means leaving me without crops.”

“Perhaps we can help you,” Linada offers without a second thought. “We would be happy to help, Miss.”

“Oh, where are my manners?” She asks. “My name is Rani. It’s a pleasure to meet you… Thank you for the offer, but I would hate to make you go out of your way for me.”

“It would be no problem,” Vanea offers. “We need an excuse to venture around the Shoulder, anyway.”

“You Machina are a bit strange, wanting to go out there while the spiders are at large,” Rani says. “But if you wish to, I suppose it would be nice. I’m pretty sure it’s a group of Bunnits doing it. I’m not much of a fighter, so I wasn’t able to stop them, but I definitely saw them rushing away when I caught them.”

“Bunnits…” Linada repeats without much understanding.

“Yes,” Rani nods, not picking up on that. “Little ones with brown fur. Most around here are white, so you can’t miss them.”

“Of course,” Linada smiles at her. “We’ll handle it before you know it.”

She turns and leads the charge back towards the wall. Egil sighs and looks her up and down. Her confidence is fading with every step. By the time Rani is out of eye and ear-shot, she’s slumping a bit.

“Say,” she looks at him in turn. “You do know what a bunnit is, right?”

“I’ve seen them in passing,” Egil shrugs. “Halle here can assist if nothing else.”

“Indeed,” Halle nods. “I would be happy to, if you cannot find them yourself, that is.”

“You want me to… lead the way?” Egil asks.

Halle gives another fake smile. “I’d like to see how well you know the Shoulder. Is there a problem?”

“I’m not sure I like the sound of you walking behind me,” Egil says. “You did attack us, and nearly kill me at that. How can I be sure you won’t stab me in the back?”

“I would never stab you in the back,” Halle shakes their head. “I don’t have a knife.”

“But you do have a sword,” Egil points out. “One that can cut through my skin, at that.”

“Fair enough,” they shrug and take the lead again. “Follow me, then. I think I know exactly where to find these brown bunnits.”

Egil follows Halle, watching their back once again. There’s a motif that reminds him of a star on the back of their robes -- one of green instead of the reds and purples of the rest of their outfit. It sticks out like a sore thumb.

Would it be rude of him to question it? Or would Halle take it like they take everything else -- lacking any real reaction? They remind him of a Mechon, the way they barely emote and most feel more like facsimile of real ones.

Ugh, he needs to stop thinking about this. Needs to stop trying to find flaws with Zanza and his new friend. Things were changing -- that didn’t automatically mean something was wrong! Change was supposed to be a good thing, Lady Meyneth said as much.

So why did these specific changes feel so wrong? He wishes he could understand; could voice these concerns and be assured. But something tells him nothing will assure his uneasy mind, at least not yet.

He just needs more time he tells himself as they continue to travel. Fighting spiders and other wildlife as they go. Just being around Halle and later Zanza with his new name will fix everything. It has to.

“We are here,” Halle says, pulling Egil from his thoughts. “Look, right there. A group of brown bunnits -- just what we are looking for.”

“Well, let’s get to work then,” Egil readies himself and his drones. “Then we can report back.”

“Maybe not so fast,” Vanea says. “I want to gather some of the local fauna and flora first -- I think we could make a fertilizer that might keep any other bunnits from popping up to steal the crops.”

“Is that so?” Egil nods. “That’s fine, the day is still early, after all.”

With that settled, Vanea is the first to strike, drawing the attention of all six bunnits. Egil is quick to poison the one she’s focused on, and then put at least a few of the others to sleep. Halle joins in on the battle, taking advantage of the bunnit’s distracted nature to slam into it from the side.

The first bunnit is down before long and Linada shoots some sort of ether at Vanea that seems to make her tension rise even higher. She lashes out at the next and Egil burns its tail. It screeches, but continues to swing it about, trying to hit whatever it could.

It does land a hit on Halle, who still barely reacts. Linada heals them in such a quick moment, though, Egil isn’t sure anyone else noticed that. He certainly didn’t notice the bunnit coming right for him.

“Egil!” The second one is down and Vanea lunges at the one coming for him. It slams him into a nearby rock and he grunts in pain. 

Linada pulls him up as Vanea and Halle continue to fight through the bunnits. Another two are down before he knows it. The last two aren’t going to go down that easily, though. Another is coming for him and Linada shoots it just in time to gain its attention.

But she’s more fragile than even he is. He freezes it in place as he stumbles to his feet. Halle gathers the ether around them to heal him and he mumbles a thanks before attacking the creature again. It dies, shattering into pieces.

By the time he turns to look at Vanea, she’d dealt with the final one. Now, she’s pushing around the grass and… Is she looking for bunnit droppings? Egil makes a face and Halle laughs at the look of it.

“It’s not that gross, they’re like little pellets,” Vanea says as she holds one up. “See?”

“It is very gross,” Egil says. “Don’t make me look at it.”

She shrugs. “Suit yourself.”

Egil looks away and allows her to do her thing. It’s not even that long before she exclaims that she thinks she’s got it and they can get back to Rani. Suits Egil just fine -- he wasn’t much help here, but really?

That was more than fine by him. Linada and Vanea were having fun -- that was about all that mattered. Even if it got a bit gross at times.

They make it back to Rani in no time and Vanea hands over the fertilizer as Linada explains the bunnits should be dealt with. Rani beams at them, looking out over her knewly planted crops.

“It’s a bit late to plant, but I should be able to still make it,” she says. “Please, feel free to come by during harvest time! I would love to share with you.”

“Thank you,” Linada says. “But we Machina can’t eat.”

“Oh, that’s right,” she sighs, a hand on her cheek. “A shame. I wanted to make you feast as thanks. I suppose some gold will have to do.”

“Your thanks is enough,” Linada says. “But we’ll take the gold if you insist.”

“I do insist,” she puts a small parcel in her hand. “Thank you again! Stop by any time if you want to feed that High Entian friend of yours.”

“I think we should let them starve,” Egil says. “But thank you.”

She laughs. “You Machina have a funny sense of humor!”

Egil decides not to tell her that he wasn’t joking. Instead, they say their goodbyes and move on.

They’re nearly to the heart of Gran Dell, Halle notices something and diverges towards the small pool of water near the entrance. Without much of a choice, the three of them follow after them. What caught their eye, apparently, was a little Nopon.

Small and blue in color, it looks up at Halle with sparkles in its beady black eyes. Egil furrows his brow -- nothing about this Nopon really stood out. He could find more interesting within actual Gran Dell.

“Look at this,” Halle says. “Fascinating, isn’t it?”

“A regular old Nopon is not that fascinating,” Egil says. “No.”

“Little me not simple old Nopon!” The Nopon yells. “Little me is…. Nopon Sage-in-training!”

“Nopon Sage-in-training,” Egil repeats. “What--”

“Wonderful,” Halle says, cutting off his question. “And what will it take for you to complete your training?”

“Nopon Sage-in-training still trying to figure that out!” Nopon Sage-in-training calls. “Little me has beaten death and so much more! But not sure what last step is -- must figure out myself. Is part of the process…”

“I see,” Halle hums. “And have you any ideas?”

“Just one, meh…” He deflates. “But little me not able to take on challenge by myself. If only Nopon Sage-in-training had bird person and metal people to help…”

“You want us to help, then,” Vanea says.

“Oh! Nopon Sage-in-training thought friends would never ask!”

“We didn’t--”

“There big scary monster at Prayer Rock!” He continues going. “Little me thinks watching friends fight it will inspire little me to understand what come next!”

“Isn’t Prayer Rock in the middle of a lake?” Egil makes a face. “You want us Machina to swim out to a little island. And then fight a powerful monster for you.”

“Yes, yes!” Nopon Sage-in-training nods. “Is right!”

“You do realize we Machina are weak to water, yes?” Egil asks. “We might rust, or--”

“Nopon Sage-in-training will pay well, so worry no more!” He says. “Go! Go!”

“Alright,” Halle says, agreeing for all of them. “We shall head that way right now.”

They start off around the side of Gran Dell and Egil follows quickly. Linada and Vanea take a moment more, but they’re not too far behind Egil, either. He scowls at Halle’s back, trying to find words…

“Are you insane?” That works.

“No, I just think it could be interesting to see that little thing make it to his goal,” Halle replies. “Something outside the divine you or I know.”

“Something outside of Bionis or Mechonis,” Egil says. “You can’t be serious.”

“Oh, but I am,” Halle glances over their shoulders. “It is not something you can simply understand. Maybe one day you will, but for now… You simply cannot.”

“Are you insulting me?” Egil asks.

“Not at all.”

Egil frowns, but has no clue what to say. Halle seems serious in that fact -- they aren’t trying to insult him. He’s really feeling off because of the Zanza thing, he supposes. If he could just shake that feeling maybe things would go a bit better for him…

But he can’t shake it, even as they make it to Prayer Rock. He shakes out his joints the best he can, Vanea and Linada doing the same. Halle, however, simply stretches and prepares for what’s to come. Must be nice, not feeling physically ill after being in the water.

“Ready then?” Halle asks them.

“As ready as we can be,” Linada says.

“Good, because here it comes,” they point to a very angry Tude approaching them. Great. 

Egil readies his drones (and oh how he wishes he could just float above the water like them) and Vanea pulls out her whip. She rushes forward and Linada buffs their defense as Egil decides to go for a poison.

Halle struggles to get around the monster, but seems to be making some progress. Well, it makes sense this place is fairly abandoned if this monster is here -- it’s fairly tough to deal with. Especially when it turns its gaze on Linada.

Egil shouts and rushes towards her, but is too late. She’s knocked to the side and unconscious before he knows it. He grits his teeth as Vanea rushes to her side to try and rouse her. Now, the thing has it out for Halle.

Halle is able to block one attack, though it still hurts them. Egil rushes, but is too late again. He makes it right as they fall to the ground, unable to stand any longer. He looks at Vanea; Linada is still on the ground.

“We need to run!” He calls as he picks Halle up and throws them over his shoulders.

She nods, picking up Linada and adjusting her onto her back. “Back to the Nopon Sage-in-training?”

“We have no choice, we aren’t cut out for this,” Egil replies.

They dive back into the water, trying to keep their passengers from dipping below the water. Not exactly fun to do as the monster chases after them and they begin to feel ill once again. Ugh, Egil hates water. It’s fine to drink, but swimming is just the worst.

They make it to the shore, but they can’t stop now. The Tude is chasing them still, and the further on land the safer they’ll be. Egil keeps moving, as does Vanea. She’s gained ground on him. He would almost be hurt if he hadn’t taught her to save herself first if it came down to it.

If anything, he’s glad she’s listening.

When sure the Tude has finally given up, Egil collapses to the ground, letting Halle fall to the side.

Vanea sets Linada down and starts clearing her joints of water. He takes a moment and starts doing the same. Linada, who came to at some point, isn’t far behind. Egil glares at Halle. Of course the one who doesn’t have to worry about it is still out cold.

Egil pokes them with his foot. They stir and groan.

“Good morning, sleeping beauty,” Linada says.

“That did not go as well as expected,” Halle says. “Shall we try again?”

“No,” Egil and Vanea say in unison.

“Of course, of course,” Halle stands, holding their head. “Then shall we go and tell the Nopon Sage-in-training the bad news?”

“That was the plan,” Egil begins walking, and the rest follow.

Soon enough, they’re back to the little Nopon… Who looks excited? He’s hopping up and down, giggling to himself. A strange reaction to either nothing or somehow knowing their failure.

“Friends are geniuses!” Nopon Sage-in-training exclaims. “Now Nopon Sage-in-training knows what must do!”

“You… do?” Halle asks.

“Yes, yes! Must defeat monster like that, but in different land! Become heropon!” Nopon Sage-in-training says. “If struggle half as much as friends, suely Nopon Sage-in-training become full Nopon Sage!”

As he continues spouting thanks, he hands Halle three pretty gems and hands Egil… Some de-ruster. So that’s what he meant by paying well. Any rust will be taken care of by this or something like that.

Egil isn’t sure he trusts a Nopon’s de-ruster… But he supposes it looks similar enough to what you find on Mechonis. He shows it to Linada, who studies it for a moment before nodding. Looks like it’s good enough, then.

“Well,” Halle turns to them with another fake smile. “With that done, we can move on to actually seeing Gran Dell, hm?”

“Yes,” Egil says. “And we could have seen it sooner if you hadn’t distracted us.”

“Aw, come now, was it not nice to help the Nopon Sage-in-training?” Halle asks.

Egil huffs. “...It was nice, but not worth it for all we went through.”

“Aw, it’s alright to be stubborn,” Halle says.

“I’m not being stubborn.”

“Yes you are.”

“No I’m not.”

Vanea rolls her eyes. “Can we please just move on?”

Gran Dell is a pleasant place and Egil knows just about everyone here. A side effect of long days spent with Zanza when the spider problem is at its worst. A safe haven for all on the Shoulder -- not as safe as Fortress Island, but safe enough.

So a woman as regal as the one in front of him stands out. She is not from this quaint little settlement -- she is someone important, she must be. It makes him pause his speaking, from pointing out this and that to standing still.

Her brow is furrowed in worry and her hair pulled back in a bun, a braid of hair separating it from the bangs. Around her neck is an ether gem -- of the electric variety. It shines bright, not as bright as Halle’s earring, but bright nonetheless.

“Are you alright?” Vanea asks her without thinking.

“Do I look alright to y--” She pauses when she sees Halle. “Divine Seer?”

“Princess Soltnar,” they bow. “As I am sure you and Princess Khatorl are aware, I am assisting Zanza at the moment. Part of that is being a guide to these Machina.”

“I see,” she says, thinking.

“Princess,” Vanea says. “Oh, so you must be the daughter of the High Entian Emperor?”

“Yes, that’s right,” Soltnar nods. “My sister and I are about to head on an expedition to the Marsh and lower in an attempt to find more land for our people. But…”

“What’s wrong?” Vanea asks, voice gentle. “It’s alright, you can tell us.”

“You see my necklace, yes?” She asks. “Khatorl has a matching one -- an earth-type ether gem. We consider them to be lucky charms.”

“How wonderful,” Linada says. “You need skill more than anything, but luck can come in handy from time to time.”

“Exactly,” Soltnar replies. “But my sister disagrees. She believes without our gems we will fall to great peril. She’s refusing to leave the Shoulder until we find it.”

“Is she certain she lost it on the Shoulder?” Egil asks.

“Yes,” she nods. “Somewhere in Gran Dell, even. She’s in a panic, looking all over…”

She looks to the side and their gazes follow. There’s another High Entia, dressed similarly regally and with the same hairstyle… But much less put together in how she acts. She’s mumbling to herself, looking all about. It’s almost a bit sad to see.

Vanea hums, tapping her chin. “Allow us to look, we Machina have keen eyes.”

“You would do that?” Soltnar asks.

“Of course,” Vanea says. “Being the child of a leader is a heavy burden, I understand that better than most. If I can make that burden less, I’ll be happy.”

“You understand?”

“Our father,” Egil says. “Is the Machina chief.”

“Well, if there’s anyone I could trust with this it would be fellow royalty,” Soltnar says, ignoring Egil’s weak argument they aren’t techincally royalty. “If you find it and return it to us, I will forever be in your debt.”

“We’ll get looking right away, then,” Vanea smiles at her, hand on her chest. “Please, rest easy.”

With that, she starts off. The rest of them split up and all begin looking about. An earth ether crystal on a golden chain is what they need, correct? The chain type is a guess on Egil’s part, but it would match nicely with Soltnar’s electric gem on a bronze chain…

It was something he and Vanea would do as twins, is nothing else. Not all twins were like them, of course… But it was better than having nothing but the type of gem to go off of. 

He hears Linada and Halle mumbling about this and that as they look. Egil finds himself mumbling, too. How hard is it to find one necklace? The gem wasn’t that small, either, based on Soltnar’s. It was the centerpiece of her already regal ensemble…

So where was it? He looks under logs and rocks. Behind walls and within buildings. Linada and Halle cover everything he doesn’t on the ground fall. Vanea’s vanished somewhere up the stairs to look.

He hopes she’s having a better time than they are down here.

He glances back at the sisters. Soltnar is rubbing Khatorl’s arms, trying to calm her down. Khatorl’s eyes are red and she’s sniffling… Wow, this necklace really is that important to her. Poor thing.

If they don’t find it, he wonders if they could make a new one. Halle had been given a earth ether gem by the Nopon Sage-in-training earlier. Would they be willing to give it up? Would Khatorl be able to tell it was different?

Ugh, now he wishes they were completely certain the chain was gold. It would make this train of thought much easier to work through. He kicks a rock and curses when there’s nothing under it. Stupid, bloody necklace…!

“I found it!” He looks up and there’s Vanea, a smile on her face. She’s running down the stairs, necklace in hand. It was, in fact, a gold chain.

“Where was it?” Linada asks, running to her side.

“It was at the very top of that building,” Vanea points upwards. “It was quite the trek, but worth it!”

“That means we can stop looking,” Halle says. “And enjoy the rest of our day, hm?”

“After we give it to her, yes,” Vanea smiles at them. “Come on, let’s do just that.”

She walks over, the rest following her lead. She passes it to Soltnar, who smiles and passes it to Khatorl. The latter lights up, her wings fluttering as she stares at it. Then, she puts it on and twirls about.

“Thank the Bionis!” She chirps. “I thought I had lost it forever.”

“You worry too much,” Soltnar taps her on the head. “I told you these people would find it.”

“I suppose, but three of them were running in circles just like me,” Khatorl says. “Surely you can understand my worry.”

“I suppose, but now you have it,” Soltnar snorts. “So no more worrying, alright?”

“Of course,” Khatorl nods. “No more worrying.”

“Here,” Soltnar passes Vanea four necklaces. “We made jewels of the remaining gems, but it seems we have no use for them. Perhaps you and your brother can match two of them. Wind and Ice, perhaps?”

“Perhaps,” Vanea smiles. “Good luck on your expedition.”

“Thank you,” she bows and Khatrol copies her. “Speaking of which, we should get going. May the Bionis be with you.”

“And Lady Meyenth with you.”

They walk away and Vanea waves at them. Once out of ear and eye shot she turns back to them and sighs. Egil takes the ice gem necklace she hands him and watches her give Halle and Linada the fire and water gems.

As she puts the wind gem around her neck she speaks. “Well, good thing I’m quick with my hands.”

“What do you mean?” Linada asks.

“You don’t really think that’s the original, do you?” Vanea asks. “There was no sign so I had to act fast. Halle passed me the earth gem the Nopon Sage-in-training gave them on my way up and I just made a new one.”

“How did you know what the chain was gold?” Egli asks.

“I didn’t,” Vanea says. “I had to guess.”

“I suppose the guess paid off,” Halle says. “Between the four of us? This is the fifth earth gem necklace this year.”

“She… loses it often,” Egil says.

“Very much so,” Halle nods. “Vanea simply continued the practice of servants in Alcamoth -- a new one that looks enough like the original she does not even blink.”

“Amazing…” Egil sighs. “You High Entia can be so oblivious to things around you.”

“A flaw many have, not just High Entia,” Halle replies.

“Fair enough,” Egil turns to look at Gran Dell. “Should we try and offset that by actually seeing the town, then?”

“Yes,” Vanea says. “That sounds lovely.”

Chapter Text

Egil has always been a bit of a scientist; Vanea as well. Maybe that’s why both of them gravitate towards two Giants -- one man and one woman -- deep in conversation. Both of them with green skintones and yellow eyes, they were most certainly Sol Giants. Smart ones, from the look of their workspace.

“Working on something important?” Egil asks.

“Oh,” the woman blinks. “Finally! A Machina. I told you one would come by, Samir.”

“I still think we should have gone looking, Priya…” The man mumbles. “But fine. You win this time.”

Egil shares a look with his little group. Was this a bad time to stumble upon them then, or perfect timing? He supposes he has no way to back out of it now that they’ve begun discussing something, sending looks his way every so often.

“Alright,” Priya speaks. “We were hoping a Machina would stop by so we can ask for some help. You see, Zanza has presented to us the Monado--”

“And some basic notes on it,” Samir takes over. “Eventually, he’s promised to allow us to watch him actually use it…”

“But that doesn’t matter much when we’re having trouble making out what the notes mean,” Priya finishes.

“So you want us Machina to help?”

“You’re long-lived, right?” Priya replies. “Surely one of you has an idea of what some of this means!”

“Vanea, Linada, and I are still quite young by Machina standards,” Egil says. “While we could help with on-field research I’m unsure there’s much we could do in the way of the notes.”

Priya deflates a bit, but Samir doesn’t seem ready to give up. He mumbles a few things, jots down some notes on a piece of paper, and hands it to Egil. He looks it over -- an invitation to any Machina willing to spend a few days on Bionis figuring out these notes with them.

“You might be young, but not all of you are,” he says, puffing out his chest with pride for coming up with this. “Surely you can find an older scientist who’d want to learn more about it! It could be key to helping both our societies.”

“The plan is to use the Monado against the spiders, no?” Egil asks. “Is there really anything it could do to help Mechonis? We have no natural threats like that.”

“It could help you improve defenses,” Priya says not sounding convinced. “Who knows!”

Egil frowns. “...What you’re trying to say is…”

“We just really need a Machina’s help, okay?” The man admits. “So if you can find any willing to help us out of the goodness of their heart, great! If you can’t, a little bit of lying or reaching for reasons to do it wouldn’t hurt, though.”

“Exactly,” the woman chirps. “Besides, we’re neighbors. We should help each other whenever we can, don’t you think?”

“Well, I do suppose you have a point…” Egil strokes his chin in thought. “You would do the same for us if we asked, I’m sure.”

He looks at them and frowns when they seem to start stumbling over their words. Maybe most Giants and High Entia would come to the aide of the Machina should the time come… But these two? Maybe they wouldn’t.

“You would do the same, right?” Vanea asks, pushing them further. “It would be a shame if you said no… Then there would be little point in searching for someone to help you… ”

Egil snorts. He knows Vanea does not mean it -- she wouldn’t be able to rest until they did find someone! But she’s good at acting as if that’s not the case, if it puts these Giants on the spot for a few moments. Linada even laughs when she realizes just what’s happening.

Ah, the Machina were a kind people… But when faced with the unkind, they were willing to dish out the same in return. If only that always resulted in something this amusing.

“O… of course we would!” Priya squeaks out as she nervously runs a hand through her beard. “We would love to be of assistance however we can! Like I said, we’re neighbors! We should help each other whenever we can. A-aha…”

“Y-yes, of course!” Samir gives his own fake laugh. “In fact if we can do anything for you right now to prove it w-we would love to!”

Egil looks at Vanea, who just laughs. “I think your word is plenty for us. Thank you.”

“So…” Priya leans down towards Egil. “You will go find us a Machina scientist then, right?”

“Yes, we will,” Linada says. “Try not to worry yourselves out over it -- we tend to get things done.”

With that, they say their goodbyes and head back towards the bridge, Halle insisting on staying with them until then. As they travel, Egil tries to focus on that task… But as usual, he finds his mind drifting back to Zanza.

Will his friend be back to normal soon? Is this the new normal? The questions buzz around his mind even as they reach the bridge. He nearly leaves without even saying goodbye before Vanea speaks up.

“Thank you for today, Halle,” Vanea smiles. “It was a shame we couldn’t speak to Zanza, but perhaps in a couple of days we can.”

“That would be wonderful,” Halle looks at Egil. “You all should come back in a few days time, I’m sure things will be less hectic then.”

“Ah, sure,” Egil nods. Usually it’s Zanza (Arglas, a piece of him hisses) that would invite him to come back. Someone else doing it makes his stomach twist and turn in impossible ways. “I think that would be lovely.”

“Then let’s get going,” Vanea says. “In a few days we’ll join Egil again and finally meet that friend of his for real.”

“Yes, that sounds wonderful,” Egil mumbles, not really feeling it. “Goodbye for now then, Halle.”

“Goodbye,” Halle nods. “May you rest well.”

As they cross the bridge all Egil can think about is Zanza and the fact it feels like the bridge is on the verge of breaking. Maybe, just maybe, those things are somehow related he tells himself. No matter how silly that sounds.

The trip back to Agniratha is a quiet one, at least on his end. Linada and Vanea try to get him to speak, but he feels drained. Helping so many people only to circle back to the very worries he’d started the day with was… exhausting, to say the least.

Luckily, he won’t have to stay awake too long. As soon as they walk into the city he sees Bhelex. A well-known and well-loved researcher around these parts, he was never one to turn down the chance to learn more. Well, so long as it didn’t get in the way of him raising his daughter.

Sometimes he’s envious of Eleqa, having a father she could be proud to call that. One who didn’t seem to butt heads with her on a moment’s notice and leave her feeling ashamed to call him family. Sometimes he’s envious, but he decides not to linger on it too much.

Lingering too much is how you hurt. Lady Meyneth had taught them all as much. The many nights she had sobbed and her children could do nothing but listen had proven her to be right.

“Bhelex,” he smiles at him. “Good to see you.”

“Hello there, Egil! My, you’ve gotten so tall…” He holds a hand above him and laughs. “Vanea as well!”

“It’s nice to see you, sir,” she smiles at him. “How have you been?”

“Just fine, just fine,” Bhelex smiles. “Eleqa is growing up so much so I’m left with quite a bit of free time these days! I’ve not a clue what to do with it, is the only problem.”

“Well, there might be something to keep you busy on Bionis,” Egil hands him the note. “A few Giants are in need of help with some research notes. If anyone can understand them, I think it would be you.”

“Oh,” he perks up as he reads the note. “This does sound like something right up my alley… but do I look… professional enough for it?”

“More than professional enough,” Linada says. “They would be lucky to have you, Bhelex.”

“Well if our best up and coming doctor thinks so, I guess I should be confident!” Bhelex puffs his chest out a bit. “Alright, you convinced me! I’ll pack a bag and let Eleqa know first, but after that I’ll be on my way.”

“Wonderful,” Egil smiles at him. “I am sure they will be very happy to have you.”

“You kids are too nice!” He laughs and shakes his head. “Well, I better get started. I’ll see you all around Bionis, I hope!”

“Maybe in a few days,” Vanea says and Egil’s mood plummets yet again. “Good luck!”

He rushes off and the three are left alone. Egil, however, would like to be even more alone if he could. In his recharging chamber alone for at least twelve hours if he could manage it. His shoulders slouch and he turns to say something. But Vanea beats him to the punch.

“Are you alright?” She asks, hand on his chest.

“I…” Egil pauses. “I think I am just tired. By the next outing I should be feeling better, do not worry.”

He leans over and kisses her forehead before she can argue. She’s too good at telling when something is wrong, and he doesn’t have it in him to hide it for long right now. She blinks, touches her forehead. He doesn’t blame her for being confused, he hasn’t done that since she was still in the pod.

But he uses the chance to escape, saying goodbye to Linada and saying he was going to go recharge. He doesn’t look back, even when Vanea says his name. Usually, he always looks back. But just this once… he doesn’t.

Meyneth is a calm woman, at least she likes to think so. Despite everything she has been through, she is calm and she is patient. That is why her people grow so slowly -- she thinks the growth is worth it, even if slow. Thinks she has made a masterpiece out of her horrible little circumstances.

A masterpiece out of disaster. That is how she views the Mechonis and the beings of it -- the Machina. Her children, her lovely children who have done no wrong.

Meyneth is a calm woman, so why does she feel so unsettled staring out at Bionis. There has been peace for so long; peace that has no reason to even consider falling apart. She stares at the Bionis and feels unsettled.

Then, Vanea comes and prays to her. Prays for her advice.

“Something is wrong with Egil,” Vanea says, her voice shaking. “I think it has to do with his friend and I don’t know what to do.”

“Speak to me, my child,” Meyneth says. “What is wrong?”

“His friend… His friend gained a new name today,” Vanea says. “Egil told me I should respect that and I know he is right, but… Even Egil seemed offput by it, as if this friend was not the type to care for such show from the High Entia.”

“His friend…” Meyneth says. “Is a Giant, yes?”

“Yes.”

“And what reason did he gain a name from a High Entia of all people?” She asks. “I know they are close, but they are two different cultures all the same.”

“The Monado,” Vanea says. “He and Egil found the Monado, and so he was given a divine name by the emperor himself.”

The Monado. Meyneth feels her blood runs cold as she once again looks at the Bionis. Someone had once told her, long ago, that if catastrophe was imminent it would surely be preceded by a sign. Is this that sign?

“Do not fret, my child,” she says despite the despair in her gut. “I will… see what I can do. Please, just trust in me.”

“My lady?” She asks. “Are you alright?”

“I will be fine, Vanea, please do not worry,” she says. “Care for your brother now. It is all you can do; leave the rest to me.”

“Yes, Lady Meyneth,” Vanea replies, but Meyneth can hear the worry in her voice. “As you say.”

Vanea leaves and Meyneth goes back to watching the Bionis. A catastrophe is imminent… but how imminent? Meyenth frowns and she watches. Hopes she can act before he does.

Hopes she will not be too late.

Chapter Text

Egil gives it a few days before he takes Vanea and Linada to the Bionis again. As expected, Zanza is not waiting for him like he would in days long past. Why would he when they had not planned to meet?

The bridge is still a mess and he thinks a bit of it falls away as Linada, who makes up the end of the line, steps across it. Scary… Hopefully it’d hold long enough for this visit and for them to make it back.

Hopefully his core holds and doesn’t sputter out on him if Zanza isn’t back to normal.

It’s right outside Gran Dell that Egil and company find Zanza. Standing once again with Halle as well as another High Entia. This one a researcher of some sort, if Egil had to guess.

She wears pinks and reds, her face adorned with makeup and a beauty mark under one of her extremely blue eyes. She wears a pair of glasses, and dresses fairly conservatively for a High Entia -- most usually show at least some skin like Machina, but not this woman.

Despite that she holds herself with the utmost confidence, chest puffed out and head held high. She’s the first to notice him and the smile he gives him leaves him with chills, for reasons he can’t really explain.

“So this is Egil,” she says. “And his little friends. I’ve been dying to meet them.”

Zanza looks towards them and hums. “Ah, yes. I was sure they would appear today, what did I tell you?”

“Well, you certainly weren’t lying,” she says. “I suppose I can trust you, after all.”

“Of course you can, Cel’ain,” Zanza laughs. “I wasn’t flirting when I said you and I were destined to meet.”

Ah. Flirting. Egil’s core whirrs louder. 

“Of course you weren’t flirting,” Cel’ain flips her hair. “As far as you’re concerned, you’re out of my league… Or were.”

“Oh my, who’s flirting now?” Zanza shoots back.

Egil meets Halle’s gaze, who simply rolls their eyes. Egil tries to match the energy, but it stings for him a bit more. It wasn’t fun watching the person you’ve been in love with for years potentially flirting with someone else. 

Vanea, noticing his discomfort, clears her throat. “It is nice to meet you Cel’ain, Zanza spoke of needing to find the right people to help him understand the Monado. Are you one such person?”

“I am, according to Zanza,” Cal’ain replies, sounding quite proud of that. “It’s a fascinating sword, truly. At first I thought he was just pulling my leg but… The fact he predicted your arrival tells me all I know.”

“Well, we did say we would come back in a few days,” Linada says. “Surely Halle told Zanza of that.”

“Actually, I did not,” Halle interjects. “You see, one of the first powers Zanza has come to understand about the Monado is the visions it grants.”

“Visions?” Egil asks, brow furrowing.

“Yes, visions,” Zanza says. “I am able to peer into the passage of fate and know what is to come next. It is quite a useful ability for a fight…”

He teeters off and looks between Egil and Cel’ain. Egil tries to ignore the horrible feeling that makes settle in his stomach. Instead, he stimply looks at Cel’ain, who stares back at him. How she’s so calm, he doesn’t know.

“I wonder, how well can you two fight?” He finally says. “You could hold your own against Halle, but what about Cel’ain?”

“Huh?” Egil blinks. “You want us to fight?”

“I do,” Zanza nods. “Go ahead -- I want to make sure both of you can defend yourselves.”

Egil, without seeing much of a choice, readies his drones. In response, Cel’ain readies what seem to be two nebula. An organic version of what he’s using, a piece of him says. He ignores that and begins -- if her weapon of choice is weak to ether, he’s got plenty of it.

“You two can join in,” Zanza says to Vanea and Linada. “The more the merrier, yes?”

“Will you two be joining Cel’ain, then?” Linada asks as she readies her rifle and watches Egil focus in on the ice-type nebula with fire. 

“No, I believe we’ll simply watch,” Zanza replies. “I want to study you, if at all possible.”

Wanting to be studied by his friend is an odd feeling, but Egil doesn’t have time to think on it. Cel’ain is going right for him, her fire-type Nebula wasting no time trying to burn through his armour. It almost feels like she’s copying his moves, only ignoring his drones.

Then again, he can always repair the drones on the fly. If he goes down, though? They’re not much use. 

Vanea rushes at her as Linada throws her off balance, using her whip to drag her to the ground. She lets out a yell as Vanea then digs her heel into her head. With her on the ground, unable to get up right away, they focus on the nebulae.

Vanea isn’t much use -- these things are hard to damage with anything but ether… But he and Linada can do some real damage, at least. Even if it means gaining their attention for the worse. The ice-type nebula goes down, but the fire-type is still giving them hell.

Enough that Egil feels himself go unconscious for a time. Everything is dark. He sees Lady Meyneth, staring down at him sadly. He sees Arglas, trying to call out to him but no words come out. He sees himself, looking at he may as well be dead.

Then, Linada pulls him from his stupor and pulls him to his feet. The fire-type nebula is exploding on Cel’ain’s command in Vanea’s face, but she’s able to avoid some of the fallout.

“Thank you,” he mumbles. “Let’s finish thi--”

“That’s enough,” Zanza holds up a hand. “Cel’ain, you impress me. Egil… It seems you are at your strongest when you are not alone.”

“We help each other out, no matter the circumstance,” Egil replies blankly.

“Of course,” Zanza says. “Perhaps you can extend that to the spider problem.”

“I would always be happy to help you, my friend,” he says. “After all, we must continue on is our descendants are to leap from their cradles and--”

“We have no reason to leave,” Zanza snaps.

“What?” Egil’s brow furrows. “But you and I spoke of it before. Of exploring the Endless Sea and seeing what lies beyond our homes.”

“The Monado has allowed me to see there is no need for that,” Zanza says. “We have all we need on our homes, Egil. It was a boyish flight of fancy to think otherwise.”

For the first time since finding the Monado, since they became friends really, Egil finds himself unable to sit idly by. Unable to just apologize or agree with the man he cared so much for. For the first time, anger rips free from his chest -- directed at Zanza.

“It was more than that to me,” he says. “And I thought it was more than that to you -- I never thought you the shallow type.”

“Me, shallow?” Zanza scoffs. “I’m simply being realistic , Egil. You’re an idiot to think there’s anything worth chasing after out there.”

“The Monado has clouded your vision,” Egil says. “There has to be more -- the Titans cannot be all there is.”

“They are all there is,” Zanza snaps. “Even if there is something else, there is no reason to leave. These homes have given us so much, why would we leave?”

“It would not be us all,” Egil argues. “There would be no reason to simply leave all of our old lives behind! We would simply set out to spread out as well! Why are you acting like this? You never acted as if this was a bad idea before!”

“As I said, I have learned! The Monado has shown me how much these Titans give to us. The least we can do is stay and return the favor!”

“If your Titan is anything like Mechonis, it would be happy to see you spread your wings,” Egil shoots back. “Otherwise the Bionis is nothing but a selfish--”

“Enough!” Zanza does something for the first time, too. He puts his hands on Egil and pushes him away. Vanea snarls and is held back only by Linada and Halle’s grasps. “If you look down on Bionis in such a way there’s no reason for you to be here.”

“Zanza--”

“I suggest we calm down,” Halle says. “You are both simply… heated. But still, you are best friends. These type of disagreements happen, yes?”

Egil doesn’t reply, because this doesn’t just feel like a disagreement. It feels like something much worse, much more sinister. Even if they had had differing views before it had been a calm discussion. This…

This is something different. Something worse from both of them.

“Yes, of course,” Zanza says, though. “I apologize, my friend. If you Machina still wish to leave one day I wish you no ill will, but… I do not think that would be smart for the people of Bionis. We cannot survive on as little as you, after all.”

“Ah, of course…” Egil takes the hand offered to him. “I still do not think I agree, but… We can leave this behind us for the day.”

“Yes,” Zanza smiles at him. “Perhaps we need some space from one another again. I have much work to do still, and you have much to consider.”

“Of course, you need your home to be safw now,” Egil’s voice shakes. He sees Vanea and Linada from the corner of his eye, worried. “The Monado can still do that.”

“It can indeed,” he nods and then pats his head. “I knew you were a good boy, Egil.”

He and Cel’ain then leave, but Halle stays. Egil doesn’t even have it in him to ask what they’re doing here. Instead, his shoulders simply slump and Vanea rushes to his side and rubs his back.

“Are you going with them?” Linada asks in his place.

“Actually, I was hoping you three would be willing to… show me around Mechonis,” Halle glances towards Egil. “And Egil likely needs more support in the moment than Zanza, hm?”

“I suppose you aren’t wrong…” Linada glances at him as well. “I wouldn’t mind showing you around, if that’s the case.”

“We would love to have you,” Vanea smiles at him. “Right, Egil?”

“Ah, yes,” Egil nods. “I… apologize if I am not the most gracious host today, however.”

“You just fought with someone important to you,” Halle says. “From what I understand that is… a hard thing to recover from. I do not mind.”

“We can pick up the slack, anyway,” Vanea pinches his cheek and Egil yells. “As usual.”

“Can you ever be nice to me?” He asks, frowning at her.

“I’m always nice to you,” she says. “When you’re getting in your head like that, though? You need me to be a bit mean.”

“Indeed,” Linada walks over and pokes his side. “We really need to work on that. If you would just stop by the practice one of these days…”

“I am not planning on letting you poke and prod at my mind,” Egil replies. “I am afraid you’ll have to find a different guinea pig.”

“Aw,” Linada says. “But you would be the best guinea pig a woman could ask for!”

Halle chuckles. “Well, maybe I was wrong about you needing more support. These two seem to have it covered…”

“But you still wish to see Mechonis, yes?” Egil asks.

Halle nods. “Yes, if you’ll have me.”

“It would be rude of us to retract the offer now,” Vanea replies. “Please, feel free to come with us.”

“Wonderful,” they smile -- the usual fake one, though perhaps a bit warmer…? “Thank you, I can see why the Machina have a reputation for being kind.”

“It’s all thanks to Lady Meyneth’s teachings,” Egil replies. “The credit should go to her.”

“Lady Meyneth…” They hum, a distant look in their eyes. “Of course… Shall we go, then?”

“Let’s just hope the bridge is holding up,” Egil says. “It looked ready to break on the way here.”

“Oh dear,” Halle says. “Here’s hoping.”

“Here’s hoping indeed.”

Chapter Text

Getting back to Mechonis is going to be a problem. When Egil and company make it back to the bridge it’s under heavy repairs. Heavy repairs that seem to be stalled, judging by the High Entia barking orders to just figure it out .

“Is everything alright here?” Egil asks.

The High Entia turns to look at him. “The bridge is falling apart and we don’t have the materials we need! Do you know how bad this is?”

“Well, it strands us here,” Egil says. “That’s not good.”

“Not only that but it ruins the symbolism of it!” The High Entia says. “It’s a sign of the everlasting peace between the Titans and their people! If it breaks, the peace will break.”

“The symbolism is nice,” Linada says. “But it’s a bit extreme to say peace hinges on it, don’t you think?”

“If you think that then you don’t get the artistry of master bridge builder, Marius Ballucis the Third!” A pause. “That would be me, by the way.”

“I see,” Egil says. No one else really reacts. “...Is there a way we can… help you speed up the fixing process.”

“And here I thought you’d never ask,” Marius huffs. “Yes, there is. See, there’s some Giant merchants nearby… But they won’t make a deal.”

“Do you not have enough gold?” Vanea asks.

“I have plenty, but why should I have to pay when it’s for something as important as this?” Marius pouts. “Don’t you agree?”

“I think you already know my answer,” Linada rolls her eyes. “Just pay for it.”

“I can’t,” Marius says. “I’ve already made them so mad they’ll probably make me pay double.”

“Then how about you give us the money and a supply list,” Vanea suggests. “And we buy them for you?”

“Can’t you all pay for it?”
“No,” Linada replies before he can try and hassle them into doing it. “You pay for it yourself, we’ll just act as the middlemen.”

“Fine, fine,” Marius grumbles something under his breath before pressing a bag of gold into Lianda’s hands. “It’s two Luna Giants, you can’t miss them.”

“Of course,” Linada says and then leads them away, only stopping when certain he can’t hear. “What does a Luna Giant look like?”

“They’re slightly smaller than Sol Giants like Zanza and the others we’ve seen,” Egil says. “Their skin tends to be warmer colors and their eyes cooler -- the inverse of the Sol subspecies.”

“Ah, so they really should stand out,” Linada nods. “Alright, let’s find us some Giants.”

They wander for a very short time before finding the pair they were likely looking for. A female Giant with orange skin and a male with pink. The woman purple eyes and the man blue. They both had shorter hair and beards than the average Sol Giant, but still boasted impressive manes all things considered.

They were surrounded by a few packs of various supplies and seemed to be cleaning up what was likely a temporary shop -- they’d gotten here just in time, then. Linada is quick to move in, the smile she used with her patients on her face.

“Hello there,” she says, sounding quite chipper. “You seem to be the merchants we’re looking for.”

“Aditi and Ojas, at your service,” the man says, gesturing between the two of them. “What can we do for you?”

“You were supplying Marius Ballucis the Third with material for repairing the bridge to the Mechonis, yes?” She asks.

“We were ,” Aditi says. “But he showed no respect for our trade. Why would we help him?”

“Well,” Vanea says. “He may be a dolt, but the Machina trapped here aren’t.”

“You seem quite certain of that,” Aditi replies. “Any way to prove it?”

“Linada here is a doctor and Vanea a prodigy with machines,” Egil offers.

“And my brother here even more a prodigy than I am,” Vanea adds.

“It may not seem it at first glance, but these three are incredibly intelligent and reliable,” Halle adds. “They were even able to muscle Marius into handing over the gold he would owe for the supplies.”

“Did you?” Ojas asks. “Show us, right now!”

Linada hands over the bag and the two Giants are quick to begin counting up the gold. Linada looks back at the others and all Egil can do is shrug. Vanea offers a smile and Halle just looks away, as if there’s something more interesting in the distance.

She shrugs in return and looks back to them. They’ve put about three-quarters into their own bag and the last bit back. Marius had overshot how much he needed to give to the Giants, then? That made him even more of an idiot, if you asked Egil.

“Here,” Ojas says. “Take this as payment for getting that idiot to actually give up some of his money.”

“That’s a bit shady, isn’t it?” Linada asks, narrowing her eyes.

“Maybe,” Aditi shrugs. “But it’s a good kind of shady -- you profit from it and Marius is none the wiser.”

“...I see your point,” Linada places the pounch with the rest of the groups gold. “We can just call this labor cost for moving the material for him.”

“See?” Aditi smiles. “That’s the spirit. Here, let me show you all he asked for…”

A few minutes of countless supplies being handed to them and walking back to Marius later, and the High Entia is excited. He doesn’t even thank them at first. Instead, he barks orders at some of his workers and they get to work.

“They move fast,” Vanea breathes.

“Of course they do,” Marius replies. “This is just a repair -- the artistry is already there! It just needs fixed!”

“And you don’t want us to stick around for long, right?” Linada asks.

“I would never!” Marius gasps, hand to his chest. “In fact, I would be honored if you were the first to walk across the fixed bridge!”

“Why does that feel less like an honor and more like a threat?” Egil mumbles.

“How dare you…!”

After calming down Marius, it turns out the bridge is safe to travel across again. They still have a few things to do, but none of them really want to stick around right now. Instead, they rush across, Halle making up the rear.

It’s nice to be back here -- Egil always feels a bit better on Mechonis. Surrounded by his home and his people. He closes his eyes for a moment, a content hum escaping his throat as he listens to the sounds around him.

“Welcome to Mechonis, Halle,” Vanea says as Egil continues to soak everything in. “We hope you enjoy it here.”

“Thank you,” Halle bows their head. “It’s already very welcoming.”

“That’s the beauty of Mechonis,” Egil says. “We care for one another and for those from Bionis all the same.”

Halle hums. “You are a kind people.”

“Well, not all of us,” Linada says. “There’s a few prickly ones.”

“Like Egil?” Halle asks.

Egil guffaws. “I’m a saint compared to the likes of Rax.”

“Nice of you to talk me up to your pet bird,” a familiar voice says. “I’m honored.”

“Hello, Rax” Vanea greets him with a nod. “If it means anything, I didn’t say anything.”

“And that’s why you’re my favorite,” he pinches her cheek. “Not that that means much with your family.”

Vanea laughs, swatting his hand away. “Don’t lie -- we all know Egil is your favorite.”

“What can I say?” He shrugs. “Egil is the one who understands me, not the rest of you.”

“If that’s the case, to what do we owe the honor of this visit?” Linada asks. “Or were you just walking by?”

“I was headed towards Bionis,” Rax says. “Miss Neonik was talking about a rare flower she wanted to see so I was gonna find one.”

“Aw, always an Auntie’s boy,” Egil teases. “...Though I wouldn’t suggest going. The High Entia repairing the bridge is…”

“Insufferable,” Linada supplies. “You might commit murder if you cross right now.”

“That so?” Rax asks. “I don't think I'm that bad, but in that case, how about you lot go and get one for me? Wouldn’t want to turn  me into a murderer, now would you?”

“We just got back,” Egil says.

“And?” Rax asks. “You want me to have blood on my hands over a Dawn Smile or two?”

Egil sighs. “No, I suppose I don’t.”

“Then go get me a few, yeah?” Rax slaps him on the back. “Thanks, Egil.”

“You’ll owe me for this,” Egil shoots back as Rax walks away. 

“Mmhmm, yeah. Whatever you say.”

“Well,” Halle says. “Back to the Bionis then?”

“I suppose so,” Egil shakes his head with a sigh. “But do you see what I mean? He makes me look like a saint.”

“Hm…” Halle thinks for a moment as they walk back to the bridge and across it, ignoring Marius trying to follow them. “Maybe…?”

“Why did it take you so long to answer?” Egil asks. “And why do you sound so unsure?”

Halle shrugs. “Who knows.”

“You do, you’re the one who answered!”

Halle doesn’t reply, even as Egil tries to prod them about it more. Vanea and Linada take charge of the look, looking around as the two continue with the back and forth. At least they could keep their focus, even as Egil focuses on other things. Rax can wait for his bloody flowers, anyway.

He thinks that, but he does keep one eye out for it. In fact, he’s the one to notice what has to be the flower. A small patch of them.

“There,” he points. “Those must be the Dawn Smiles, yes?”

“That’s correct,” Halle walks over and begins gently digging them up. “Your friend can reroot them quickly, yes?”

“Faster than anyone else,” Egil replies.

“Good,” Halle holds them up. “Shall we get them back to him, then?”

“Yes,” Linada nods. “You’ll be able to see the greenhouse.”

“A greenhouse on Mechonis,” Halle hums, amused. “I am excited to see that.”

“It’s something else,” Egil says. “Though there’s quite a few Mechonis flowers there, too. Don’t get too excited.”

“Of course, of course.”

They make their way back, once again avoiding Marius. From there, it’s a simple trek to Rax’s home -- stopping to point out Neonik’s garden before that. Halle seems to love the Mechonis flowers (as much as someone like Halle could love something, Egil thinks), and is all the more ready to see Rax’s home.

When they get there, it’s hard to deny the greenhouse describer. The place is covered in plants. Egil sort of hates the smell of this place, it’s like all of Bionis shoved into one small home. Overwhelming, if you ask him… But Rax likes it just fine.

“Here,” Egil takes the flowers from Halle and hands them to his friend. “You can go on your own next time.”

“Hm,” Rax looks them over. “...Yep, these are the Dawn Smiles. Here I thought you’d mess up.”

Egil rolls his eyes, knowing it to be nothing but friendly teasing. “My pet bird knows Bionis flowers.”

“Impressive,” Rax hums and begins potting them. “Well, when they’re thriving and happy you and your pet bird can come look.”

Linada clears her throat, Vanea gives him a bit of a scary smile.

“...You two can come, too. So long as all of you behave.”

“We can do that,” Vanea says. “We’d love to stop by later.”

“Then do that,” Rax shoos them. “Get out of here, Egil’s voice upsets the plants.”

“Meh meh!” Egil comes to a stop when he realizes he was about to step on a Nopon. “Oh what Losielose going to do?!”

“Are you alright?” Vanea asks, kneel down to their height.

“Meh?!” Losielose looks up, looking around. “Oh! Bird Person here! Losielose not only one lost in big metal place!”

“I am not lost, actually,” Halle says. “These three are my guides.”

“Oh! Then friends can help Losielose, too!” They hop up and down. “Losielose looking for Gran Dell, but got terribly lost! Ended up in big metal place!”

“How were you aiming for a town on the Bionis only to end up in the capital of the Mechonis?” Egil asks, brow furrowed.

“Losielose very bad with direction,” the Nopon replies. “Friends know how is.”

“No,” Egil says. “We really don’t.”

“Meh? Not know how is?” Losielose asks, sounding extremely disappointed.

“It’s alright,” Vanea says. “We all have our weaknesses.”

“Losielose never getting out of here,” they wail, ignoring Vanea’s attempt to try and soothe them. “Losielose never see Mamapon or Dadapon again! Oh, the noponanity!”

Egil sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose between two fingers. “This is going to be a tough one to get through to.”

“Just give me some time,” Vanea says. “I’m sure I can help calm them down.”
“Alright,” Egil says. “I’ll trust you on this one, then.”

“Thank you,” she smiles at him and then turns back to Losielose. “Now, Losielose--”

“Meh?!” Losielose jumps. “How friend know Losielose name?!”

“You… called yourself it,” Vanea says. “As Nopon tend to do.”

“Oh!” Losielose laughs awkwardly. “Losielose suppose that is case.”

Vanea laughs, though it’s not a sure sound. “Well, Losielose. We could guide you to the exit of the Mechonis, would that help?”

“Not very much,” Losielose shakes his head. “Losielose may leave Mechonis but still lost on Bionis!”

“I have to return to the Bionis as well,” Halle offers. “If you would like I could be your guide to Gran Dell?”

“Oh,” Vanea smiles. “That’s a wonderful idea!”

“Meh… Losielose not look like in bird friend’s eye. Not sure…”

“Halle is harmless,” Vanea says. “Towards people like us, of course. They can protect you if you run into any wildlife that tends to snack on Nopon.”

“Hm…” Losielose looks at the Machina. “Metal friends sure can trust bird friend?”

“Yes,” Vanea says.

“They’ll take good care of you,” Linada adds.

“The worst they can do it is annoy you,” Egil half-heartedly says. “You should be fine.”

“Mehhhh…” Losielose whines. “Losielose suppose that all they can do! Fine, bird friend can lead Losielose! Must take good care of me!”

“Of course,” Halle gives them a small bow. “I would be honored to.”

“We’ll leave it to you, then,” Vanea says as she stands up and dusts off her front. “Thank you.”

“As I said, it’s an honor,” Halle replies (though Egil doesn’t feel they’re being truthful. “I will see you all again in a few days, yes?”

“I suppose that works,” Egil says, thinking back on earlier. “I think a few days apart will do us some good…”

“Good,” Halle pats his arm. “I knew you would say that.”

“Did you now…?” He mumbles, but he’s not really listening. Not anymore.

“Please,” Egil says as Meyneth listens. “I need your help, Lady Meyneth. Ar… no, Zanza. Zanza is not the friend I once knew. He’s… different. Changed.”

Meyneth feels bile in her throat, if that is even possible for a goddess. Of course he’s changed, she thinks. He’s not his friend, not anymore. He’s Zanza now -- snuffed out and smothered like he never existed.

Maybe he’s still in there, but if he is that means little. Zanza is a dominant person -- someone who will push to be at the forefront no matter what it takes. Meyneth’s stomach turns as she thinks about it. This isn’t the first time and it likely won’t be the last.

And Egil will never know that was the case. She wants to weep for him. For her people and the trouble this may bring. She never should have allowed her people to meet those of the Bionis.

She wants them to spread their wings, but perhaps this was the wrong way to go about it. Perhaps she should have made more people, no matter how weak that would make her. Maybe--

“Please, Lady Meyneth. Am I doing something wrong? Is it me who has changed?” Egil’s voice echoes and she still does not speal. “Does he not… care for me anymore?”

She wishes she could assure him. Tell him his friend still cares and that this will pass. But she cannot -- she would not be able to bring herself to lie to one of her children. No matter how badly she wishes she could.

And so she stays silent, instead. She does not need to burden Egil with this knowledge. It is her burden alone to bear…

But she does pray -- a goddess praying would be such a sight -- prays to anything that may exist above her. Prays for peace for Egil and for her people, no matter how long it takes. Prays that they will all be able to rest easy once again.

She prays and she hopes that the feeling of coming catastrophe is one she has simply imagined.

Chapter Text

When Egil goes to the Bionis again, Vanea and Linada accompany him again as a form of emotional support. He insists he doesn’t need it… but doesn’t chase them away, either. Despite it all, he thinks having them close by will be good for him. Even if he doesn’t want to admit it, he probably needs the support.

This time, Zanza is waiting at the bridge, almost as if he was expecting it… Maybe another vision. It’s nice to see him waiting for Egil this time, though. He thought he would always be chasing him down at this point.

There’s Halle and there’s Cel’ain as expected. But there’s also an Astra Giant. His skin tone more in line with what you’d see from High Entia, blonde hair loose around his head and a mustache with no beard. He has purple markings -- one of the many colors their markings can be -- covering his body and his eyes are white.

The final person Zanza needs to truly harness the Monado, then? Egil supposes that makes the most sense. Not that it will take long for Zanza to talk and brag and dig his heel into Egil’s core about it, whatever the answer.

“Zanza,” he smiles despite the thought. “It’s been a few days. How have you been?”

“Egil,” Zanza smiles back. “I’ve been good, my friend! This is Amar, the final disciple.”

“Disciple?” Egil asks.

“Yes,” Zanza replies. “To truly understand the Monado I need a trinity under me. Amar, Cel’ain, and Halle are that trinity.”

“Oh, how wonderful,” Egil says, not sure he really thinks it is. “Have you noticed any changes?”

“With each disciple, I’ve grown stronger, more in tune with the Monado,” he says. “Well enough that it’s about time for field testing.”

“Priya, Samir, and Bhelex must be excited,” Egil says, because excited he is not.

“Yes, but I need to get my blood pumping first, somehow… And I think you can help with that.”

“Huh?”

“Seeing others fight is always a bit of a thrill these days -- it gives me better ideas of how to use the Arts at my disposal. Sadly, I’ve not seen Amar fight yet,” Zanza says, in a way that sends a shiver down Egil’s shrine. “Would you be willing to help change that?”

Egil says nothing, his mouth is too dry. His throat is closing up. Vanea puts a hand on his back and gently rubs circles into it. Linada gives a tight smile and speaks for him.

“First Halle, then Cel’ain, and now Amar? Are we that good at fighting?” She asks.

“You lot are interesting,” Zanza says. “I want to see if you’re improving every time or becoming stagnant.”

“I’d love to test my blade against someone else, too!” Amar says. “Too many spiders, not enough people who can actually think about their next move.”

“See? Amar would be interested in doing it, too,” Zanza says. “What do you say, Egil?”

“I… I suppose we can do it,” Egil nods and readies his drones. “If you both really want us to do it.”

Vanea and Linada sigh, but ready themselves as well. They weren’t about to leave Egil to fight on his own and, well.. He’s glad to have that. Sometimes it’s hard not to feel incredibly alone… But they would always be at his side.

At least he hopes so.

Amar charges right at Vanea, clearly seeing her at the obvious threat. She side steps his first strike and wraps her whip around one of his arms. He grunts and pulls back and she has to dig her heels in to stay in place.

Egil takes the chance and freezes his feet in place. As Vanea holds him back, Linada takes a chance to shoot a few ether rounds into his side. He just laughs it off, though, as he frees himself from the whip and the ice.

Now, he turns his attention on Egil. Egil curses as the sword connects with his shoulder and he’s sent stumbling back. The only reason he doesn’t fall right off the side of the Titan is Halle breaks their bystander status for a moment to pull him back to safety.

Is it just him or does Zanza almost seem… annoyed by that? He decides he must just be imagining things.

He focuses back on Amar, who has bore down on Vanea. His sword is held away from her face with her whip -- pulled taught as she grits her teeth and snarls. Egil moves quickly without thinking, throwing his entire body weight at the Giant.

Amar throws him off as if he weighs nothing. He uses a drone to light his arm on fire. It’s at least enough to give Vanea a moment to breathe. Linada is quick to use the ether she can to heal Egil and he stands again, breathing out.

This was going to be difficult.

Amar attacks Vanea again, cutting into her arm. He watches circulatory fluid flow from it and stands up again, digging his heel into his back. It does little good but excite Amar’s taste for battle more. He swings around and his sword connects with Egil’s gut. He’s bleeding, badly.

But he just grips the spot and tries to fight on. Tries to, until Halle once again breaks their bystander role and using atmospheric ether to heal him as Linada heals Vanea. Looks like the battle is over, then.

“That’s enough,” Halle says. “We need Egil alive and well, remember?”

“Of course, my apologies,” Zanza replies. “I was enthralled by how serious he was that I lost track of the goal here.”

There’s so many questions Egil wants to ask about these statements, but settles on the most important. “You need me alive and well?”

“To help with the field research, of course,” Cel’ain explains. “He says no one knows his own moves better than you.”

His core flutters a bit. “I… is that so?”

“Of course it is,” Zanza says, pulling him to his feet a bit too roughly. “Now, shall we go?”

“Uh, sure…” Egil nods and follows after him.

Behind him he hears Vanea grumble something about needing better wording. Egil hates to say it, but he agrees. At first, it made him sound like he was some sort of pawn… But he would never be less than a friend to Zanza, right?

Right?

“Alright,” Bhelex looks at the document in front of him. “What we want to test today is other possible uses of the Monado. You have plenty of Arts, but we think there’s more you could unlock.”

“Of course,” Samir says. “We have different ideas of what those Arts are.”

“I’m quite certain what we’re missing is an offensive art,” Priya begins. “Specifically one that can significantly weaken your enemy.”

“I suggest it can also cut through the enemy, leaving them bleeding out,” Samir finished. “Bhelex, on the other hand…”

“I think we could unlock more of its defensive potential,” he says. “It may not be able to fully block what’s to come but it can embolden your defenses against any sort of attack.”

“Hm,” Zanza strokes his chin, thinking. “What do you all think?”

“That offensive prowess is what we need,” Cel’ain says. “Offense is the best defense when it comes to the spiders.”

Halle and Amar nod. Egil frowns.

“I think the defensive Art may be better,” he offers. “You cannot do much against the spiders if you don’t survive your fight against them.”

“I see,” Zanza shrugs. “I think I will focus on unlocking the offensive capabilities, but if we can unlock both… I think that would be for the best.”

Egil feels like he was just kicked while already down, but swallows it down. Zanza points the Monado at him and he knows that it’s time to fight against him, see what happens. Vanea and Linada look on, worried, but not moving away from the trinity or the scientists.

Why would they? It was supposed to be just the two of them, after all.

Egil readies himself and goes on the attack -- he wants to try and pull out that defensive power it at all possible. He knows the goal is the offensive one, but… He agrees with Bhelex on which would be more useful.

Zanza does something with the Monado and easily dodges every attack he sends his way. Egli grunts and and focuses on ether channeling. If he can make it hit harder, when one finally hits it could change the tide of battle.

Zanza grins -- as if he was waiting for this. He reads his Monado and shouts out ‘Monado Eater’. The ether that washes over Egil cuts and tears at his skin. He hisses and stands his ground, despite it.

After the attack is done he feels weaker, like all the ether he was building up had vanished within seconds. He also feels circulatory fluid seeping out of a few of the wounds. He’s hurting, but he needs to keep going.

He shoots fire ether towards Zanza. It strikes true, but like Amar before him he barely reacts. Egil grits his teeth and keeps going, hoping his wounds will stop seeping with time. They have to stop, right?

He hopes so as he continues to attack. Poison aimed at Zanza. It sticks, but not for long. He’s definitely losing this battle, but he can’t just give up. Zanza would be… disappointed in him if he didn’t fight to the bitter end.

He doesn’t want to disappoint him.

He grunts and lunges towards him, throwing his entire body weight into it. He pushes back against him and uses the distraction to try and freeze him in place. It sticks just long enough for him to bring his leg around and give him a hard kick.

Ah, but ether has always been his strong suit, rather than the physical. Zanza grabs his leg and throws him to the side easily. He groans and finds it hard to even stand anymore. He tries, but the Monado is pointed at his throat.

“That’s enough,” Zanza says. “I was able to do something new, and I’m sure we have plenty of notes on it. No need to strain yourself.”

The words should be comforting, but the way he says them and the way he looks down at Egil…  It makes his throat dry again, he feels like his world is crashing down. Zanza looks at him as if he is nothing.

“That was amazing!” Priya says. “I was able to note so much about how it worked -- this is just what we need!”

“The range is amazing,” Samir adds. “You could hit multiple spiders with it. And if they all bleed like Egil here did they won’t be able to stand for long.”

“Of course,” Zanza says. “The spiders may be more sturdy than Egil.”

“Not funny,” Vanea speaks before Egil can as she walks over to him and helps him up. “He’s your friend, you shouldn’t mock him like that.”

“And who are you to think you can decide how we should speak to each other?” Zanza asks. “You didn’t even know me until recently.”

“I know you shouldn’t talk to dear friends like that,” Vanea shoots back.

“Vanea,” Egil says, voice shaking. “It’s fine -- he didnt’ mean anything ill by it.”

“Egil--”

“Vanea, please.”

Vanea sighs. “If you say so…”

“Well,” Bhelex clears his throat. “There’s one more test I want to run, if that’s alright with all of you.”

“Oh?” Zanza asks, still holding the Monado. “Do go on.”

“There’s a giant spider in the area -- some of the locals were telling me about it. They call it Ever-Hungry Harald,” Bhelex says. “If it’s not dealt with soon, people will be in danger. Since you’re feeling so confident maybe you could take care of it.”

“Hm,” Zanza strokes his chin. “I like that idea. Let’s go.”

“Would you like some help, my friend?” Egil asks, feeling he already knows the answer.

“I can do this on myself,” Zanza says, waving a hand in the air. “Besides, you would just slow me down with your current condition.”

Egil shrinks backward. “Ah… of course. You’re right. My apologies.”

“As long as you know you’re in the wrong I suppose it’s fine.”

In the wrong… Egil feels like he’s been in the wrong for a long while now.

Ever-Hungry Harald is indeed huge, Egil thinks when they come across it. Can Zanza really handle this on his own? His eyes skip between the monster and the Giant, who seems confident. Halle and Linada had helped heal him enough that he could walk, but he was still aching. If something went wrong…

Would he be fast enough to stop something? He decides it’s best not to think about it. He’ll throw himself on a sword for those he cares about -- there’s no such thing as too late if he’s really trying. At least, he hopes so.

“I swear,” Linada mumbles. “Ether flows differently around him.”

“What do you mean?” Egil asks as Zanza begins the fight.

“It’s as if it bends to his very will,” Linada explains. “Even High Entia can’t do that, despite their natural proclivity to ether. I suppose something like this could be possible with technology…”

Vanea nods. “But naturally it seems… odd.”

“That’s not something for you to worry about,” Cel’ain quips. “The Monado is not something you lot will ever understand.”

Egil opens his mouth to try and argue, but Bhelex lets out an excited exclamation and begins typing faster than any Bionis life could. Egil looks back to Zanza and sees a strange yellow shield pattern around him. Had this been the hidden defensive capability?

He supposes Zanza didn’t need it against him, but against Ever-Hungry Harald…? Once again his stomach does a flip as he watches. Zanza doesn’t even seem phased, lunging at the spider again and wrangling it until he can climb on top.

Egil wants to move, but his legs won’t move. Zanza’s earlier words continue to ring in his head. He brings the Monado down into the creature’s head and he flinches away. Despite it all, blood and gore still does get to him some.

Ever-Hungry Harald screeches and tries to shake Zanza off to no avail. The Monado stays dug in until it stops moving. Then he pulls it out and cuts the giant spider’s head off in one move.

He hops down, chest puffed out. “Well? How was that?”

“Amazing!” Bhelex exclaims. “I think that’s the key -- that Art you used. What did you call it again? Monado Armour?”

“Oh that?” Zanza sniffs. “I used it, but really I don’t have much need for it. I don’t even know where it came from -- I don’t think I’ll be using it often.”

“That’s fine, so long as you use it when you need it,” Bhelex says. “I promise you it’s something you’ll want to keep handy!”

“Yes, yes,” Zanza says dismissively. “Whatever you say.”

“Either way,” Priya says. “You were right, Zanza. The Monado is what we need to win this war.”

“Yes!” Samir grins. “With enough help you could finish off the spiders in months!”

“Wonderful,” Zanza looks over at his trinity. “I do have these three by my side… Oh, and Egil and his little friends. You three can always come and help if you feel up to it.”

“I would love to, maybe just…” Egil pauses. “After I recover from today.”

“Of course,” Zanza says. “You’re fragile, if you need time to recover take it.”

Fragile isn’t a word Egil would use to describe himself, but maybe Zanza is right. He definitely found himself on the ropes more often these days. Ever since the Monado came into the picture, really.

A coincidence, he’s sure.

“Egil,” Halle says before he can start across the bridge. “A moment?”

Egil looks back at Vanea and Linada, already halfway across the bridge. “Alone?”

Halle nods. “Alone.”

Egil follows them to the side and crosses his arms waiting. Halle still looks as neutral as usual, any expression seemingly practiced or malicious. They looks around, as if making sure no one was listening in. Egil looks around, too. No sign of Zanza of the rest of the trinity. Did they not want them to hear?

“I wanted to give you some advice,” Halle finally says, when they seem sure the two of them are alone. “You’re doubting yourself quite a bit these days.”

“H…” Egil blinks. “How can you tell?”

“It is the way you hold yourself,” they poke him in the chest. “You should trust in yourself more. You have no reason to let another get into your head, yes?”

“By another you mean Zanza,” Egil says more than asks.

Halle nods. “He is… good at that. Don’t be another victim of that. Trust yourself first and foremost. Don’t let him make you doubt yourself, keep your head clear.”

“I… Suppose I can try,” Egil frowns. “Why are you telling me this?”

“You could say I have had… a premonition. One that shows me your role in this world is bigger than the one Zanza sees you having,” Halle says. “Just keep what I’ve said in mind and you should be fine.”

“Do you have visions as well?”

“Yes, I once touched the Monado,” Halle says. “I was not… Fit to wield it, not yet.”

“Not yet,” Egil echoes. “Because you’re so small, no doubt.”

“The Monado conforms to the will of its user,” Halle replies. “The size isn’t the problem.”

“A lack of will, then?”

“You could say that,” Halle shakes their head. “But now isn’t the time to speak about that. You should go before Vanea and Linada get too worried.”

“Ah, I suppose you’re right,” Egil turns for just a moment to look at the Mechonis. “I will… keep what you said in mind, I suppose. Zanza’s visions haven’t failed him yet, so I suppose yours won’t fail me.”

He turns back and Halle is gone. 

Chapter Text

When Egil and company once again walk to the Bionis, they’re guided by Giants they don’t know towards Makna. Apparently Zanza and his trinity have been busy at work killing spiders for two days… And had been waiting for his appearance, leaving some non-combatants behind to guide them.

Egil, who has only spent time in Makna once before, finds it odd to be down here again. He believes this is the epicenter of the spider problem right now -- there was a reason both Zanza and King Agni were in this area, after all.

And just stepping in he can see how much worse it’s gotten. They can’t get ten steps forward without having to fight off spiders trying to eat them, not realizing Machina had little in the way of food for them.

“This is ridiculous,” Vanea mumbles. “How has it gotten so bad?”

“Spiders reproduce much faster and in bigger numbers than Giants, High Entia, or Nopon,” Egil replies. “I knew it would be bad, but…”

“There are more spiders than Giants at this point, aren’t there…?” Linada asks.

“It seems like it,” Egil says, voice quiet. “I need to talk to Zanza about this as soon as possible, come on.”

They follow after him, fighting off the beasts (mostly spiders) coming for them. He’s feeling ragged by the time he catches sight of Zanza, talking to another Giant. One that seemed to be old King Agni… 

His friend truly has moved up in the world, Egil thinks. So far he wasn’t even here to witness it.

Swallowing down the upset he nods towards Halle as they fight off spiders with Amar and Cel’ain’s help. Zanza doesn’t even notice his approach, it’s Agni who does. His skin a cool green color and eyes bright red like Zanza’s. The gaze is piercing as he looks him over.

“So this is the Machina you spoke of,” he says. “I’m not impressed.”

“He isn’t impressive looking, no,” Zanza says as he turns and pulls Egil a bit closer -- not for any sort of friendly reason, though. No, to be more closely examined. “But he’s a smart man -- that’s what matters.”

That first bit stung, but Zanza did call him smart… And he supposes that’s something to be happy about. He also thinks on Halle’s words and decides to try and not take the first bit too personally.

Even if his friend wasn’t the type to get into people’s heads like Halle said. Maybe Zanza was simply trying to keep his king happy. Egil considers that just as likely as anything else, at the very least.

“His intelligence can help with the spiders?” Agni asks. “Smart enough to be bait that can stay alive, maybe?”

Zanza laughs, but Egil does not. “Not exactly, though I’m sure he’d be willing to try if we asked! I was thinking he could use that mind to build some machines of some sort to help with the spiders. Nothing can match the Monado, of course…”

“But more weaponry is good,” Agni hums. “I see…”

“Actually,” Egil says. “I am… not a fan of building weaponry.”

Zanza looks at him and there’s something in the gaze that feels so wrong. He’s been off for the past while, but this is somehow worse. Somehow much deeper and more cruel than ever before. Something so unlike Arglas, he wonders if this is even really his friend.

“Egil, I thought you cared about me,” Zanza says.

“I do,” Egil replies, trying to shake the unsettled feeling that now won’t leave him be for more than a few seconds. “But--”

“But nothing,” Zanza points to where the trinity and now his sister and friend fight. “Do you see them? Do you want us to fight on and on with no end in sight? I am only one man, Egil.”

Egil swallows hard and watches them for a moment. Vanea and Amar are able to distract the spiders well enough, and no one is falling with the help of Linada and Halle… But with only Cel’ain to do any damage it’s taking time to cut through each one. As one burns, three more take its place.

Vanea is able to kill another with the help of Halle, but that means little when they keep appearing into the clearing. He wants to move to help them, but he’s frozen by the stares of Zanza and Agni. He can feel judgement crawling down his back, soaking into his very being.

It makes him feel sick. He wants to break away from it, but he cannot. He breathes wrong and Zanza puts a hand on his shoulder. Holding him in place -- not allowing him to escape his gaze. His plans.

A piece of him screams to agree despite it all. He can learn to make weapons, it cannot be that hard. It would help his best friend and maybe then things could go back to normal. They would defeat the spiders and life could go on as before.

But another piece reminds him of Halle’s words. Zanza likes to get into people’s heads. Is that what’s going on now? Is he getting into his head, affecting his thinking? Making him follow down a path laid out without any of his own interjection thought of?

Zanza thought it was the only way, but was it? Vanea strikes another spider as he thinks. Halle is attacked and survives only because Amar’s sword blocks them from the maw. Linada heals Cel’ain, who simply brushes it off without as much as a thank you.

There is another way, he decides. A way that will be safer for all of them -- a way for peace to continue without having to bring more hurt into the world.

“The spiders are growing at an exponential rate,” he says. “Eventually, they won’t be able to support themselves and will just die off.”

“That will only come after the death of the Giants.”

“It doesn’t have to be,” Egil turns to face him. “I’ve been thinking -- the Giants are quite low on numbers now… But there’s safe havens you can go to. You may not all fit in Fortress Island, but that isn’t the only choice.”

“They could overrun the likes of Gran Dell easily,” Agni says.

“You do not have to run to a place on the Bionis,” Egil replies. “I know that you lot are prideful and stubborn, but when it comes to your own survival… It may be best to weather this storm and return in the future.”

“What?” Zanza says, tone somewhat mocking. “Should we venture out into the Endless Sea, where nothing awaits?”

“Of course not,” Egil says, frowning at his friend. “I am speaking of the Mechonis. We have plenty of room for any Giant that cannot live in Fortress Island and can grow crops for both sets in order to lower the threat to your farmers as well.”

“You would ask us to leave our home?” Zanza asks.

“Not forever, just for a few hundred years or so,” Egil says. “I’m sure by then the spiders will be a distant memory.”

“We cannot just leave for so long,” Zanza hisses. “We need the Bionis, as you need the Mechonis!”

“You will still be close,” Egil argues. “You said everything we need lies within these Titans. What difference is it to live among the Machina on the Mechonis for a while? Surely you would do the same if we Machina faced such a threat--”

“I would never,” Zanza spits. “Our homes are our homes. Friends we may be, we belong to different worlds. You don’t even dissolve when you hit water on death. Do you know how many bodies we would have to clean up?”

Egil’s eyes are wide. Never before had he talked like this. Talked as if their people were so alien to each other the best they can hope for is friendly neighbors. He swallows hard and balls his hands into fists.

“I don’t know what that bloody sword has convinced you of, but you’re closed-minded if you think that,” he spits in return. “Do you think I am not thinking of the risks? The potential problems? We would return you to the Bionis upon death!”

“And still people would forget that this is the Titan that gave them life,” Zanza says. “It would simply become a burial ground.”

“It would only be a few hundred years,” Egil says. “Things would not change that much in that little time.”

“You underestimate how easily things are forgotten.”

“We Machina do not easily forget.”

“Those of the Bionis are not Machina,” Zanza clicks his tongues. “You’re another creature entirely. Why can’t you accept that?”

“Zanza--”

“Enough,” Agni’s voice booms and Egil flinches. “Zanza, in case you have forgotten you are not the King. Nor the Emperor or the Chief.”

Zanza turns to look at him. “But I am the one who holds the key to survival.”

“Be that as it may,” Agni says. “You do not make the decisions. I honor and value your opinion, but I will be the one to decide if we take this Machina up on his offer.”

Zanza grits his teeth, annoyance comes off him in waves. Egil feels sick to his stomach but stands tall. Now isn’t the time to give up and shrink away. He’s trusting himself, as Halle had instructed him to do.

There was a role for him in this world, and he thinks it’s this. To give the Giants a safe haven until the spiders have no choice but to cannibalize themselves. A place where the importance to the Bionis would not be forgotten but rather used as a reason to keep going until the time came.

For Meyneth’s sake he was willing to do surveys as needed to see how close they were to being able to return home! He just wants them to be safe. Wants the man he loves to not have to risk life and limb for this war.

But Zanza sees it otherwise.

“Fine,” he hisses out. “But does Egil even have the authority to decide such things?”

“Lady Meyneth teaches us to be kind,” Egil says. “To help others out, no matter the circumstances. High Judge Themyx and Chief Miqol live by those teachings -- they would be happy to welcome your people to Mechonis.”

“Meyneth,” Zanza scoffs. “That fool doesn’t know what she’s saying. She should focus on you Machina first and foremost, don’t you think?”

“If she should, so should we,” Egil shoots back, anger bubbling in his chest towards the insult towards his goddess. Something Arglas never would have done before the Monado. “Which means no weaponry for you, just as much as it means no safe haven.”

“You used to be agreeable,” Zanza growls.

“I am, when I don’t think my best friend is thinking of throwing his life away over something as stupid as pride,” Egil says.

They stare at each other and it’s Zanza who gives up and turns away. Turns towards Agni and begins talking to him in hushed tones. Egil’s core whirrs loudly in his ears and he wonders if he went too far. Wonders if he trusted himself too much.

But it’s too late to take any of that back. If Zanza was going to be a fool he would tell him. Pull him from that line of thinking and into the future they both wanted. One where they all walk hand-in-hand. 

The one they had dreamed of for years. The one Zanza seemed ready to throw away all over that damned sword. If Egil had it his way he would take it and throw it into the Endless sea. Hope it would float off as far as possible and never be seen again.

But it is not up to Egil and so he waits.

“King Agni and I,” Zanza says, anger still simmering just under his measured tone. “Will discuss the offer today. I’ll have an answer by tomorrow.”

“Then we’ll stop by tomorrow and see what you say,” Egil replies. “But know I will not build you weaponry if you decide against the offer -- that simply isn’t my forte.”

“We…” Zanza repeats. “Actually, I would rather it is just us. I think being around others and all the changes has… changed us, as well.”

Egil bites back a comment about it being Zanza who changed, not he. “You’re not wrong.”

“Perhaps we need to be alone again for a while. I can give your answer and we can make peace with whatever is decided, together,” he says. The words should be comforting, but they are not.

They feel like a knife in the chest.

“Alright,” he says, ignoring his gut telling him to refuse. “Tomorrow, just the two of us. Like old times.”

Zanza smiles, and it’s an unsettling smile. “Yes, just like old times.”

It almost feels as if he’s not talking to Egil, but past him. To someone else that he’s known much longer than Egil. Someone he’s known in a way Egil will never know him, despite it all. It sends a shiver down his spine.

Finally, he collapses in on himself, unable to continue standing tall. “If that’s all, I suppose we’ll be going now.”

“You don’t wish to stay and continue helping?” Zanza asks.

“No, I think… I need some rest,” Egil says. “Before tomorrow. That argument took more out of me than you know.”

Zanza scoffs, waves a hand in the air. “Very well. I’ll see you tomorrow, then. At the place where we found the Monado, yes?”

Egil wants to say no, but he can’t think of a better place to meet. “Alright, I will see you then.”

He calls for Vanea and Linada to break away from the fighting and follow him, turning on his heel and heading back towards the Shoulder, his own shoulders tense. Vanea and Linada are quick to come to his side, but they aren’t the only ones to pause their fighting.

Halle stares after him, and the look on their face is something new. It’s almost a face of pity… or perhaps disappointment? Their eyes only lock on each other’s for a moment, so Egil cannot be certain.

Either way, he’s not sure he likes it.

“Tomorrow, then,” Ontos does not ask. Ontos states.

“Yes,” Zanza replies. “He can’t leave well enough alone. There’s no choice but to be rid of the danger.”

“The danger to your legacy,” Ontos says. “The legacy that She helped create.”

“Meyneth? Dont make me laugh, she is nothing but a fool,” Zanza replies. “You know that. She will lay down and die, like she should have before.”

“Before this cycle?”

“Before this very world came to be.”

“Yes, Lord Zanza,” Ontos says. “After all, your will is stronger than his.”

In the end, his will is always the stronger one.

Chapter Text

“Zanza?” Egil approaches the man, standing at the outcrop where the Monado was found. “I hope I’m not too late.”

“You’re right on time,” he looks back at him. “Did you know the Monado conforms to the will of its user?”

“Of course,” Egil says. “Halle mentioned something of that sort. The shape matches the will of the user or some such thing?”

“It’s not only that,” Zanza replies. “A strong enough will can also affect what it excels at. One such as myself can change that without even lifting a finger.”

“So it’s incredibly useful against the spiders?” Egil asks.

“It was, until you had to walk in and ruin things. Now? Now it’s primed to cut true through Mechonis Metal, as if it were only paper,” he smiles at him -- a horrible, sadistic smile. “You can watch as I raize your Titan to the ground.”

“What?” Egil asks. “Is this some kind of sick joke?”

“Not at all,” Zanza replies. “You want my food to leave me, to go to Meyneth. You almost had Agni convinced, for god’s sake! Do you know what a pain it was to kill him and cover it up as a spider attack?”

“You killed King Agni?”

“If he thinks he’s above me, he must die,” Zanza replies. “The same goes for you and the Mechonis.”

“What…” Egil’s throat is dry.

Zanza wasn’t Arglas. He never had been. Zanza was something else, something much more sinister than his friend on a power high. Something stronger and more threatening than Egil could have ever expected.

Zanza was something like Meyneth, or perhaps even stronger than her. That’s why he felt he could speak so poorly of her with no repercussion. Why he holds the Monado with such keen precision. He remembers what Arglas said about it -- it was the sword of the Bionis itself.

The Bionis was Zanza. The Bionis was the Monado. Arglas was nothing more than a vessel for the soul of the being they were standing on to act through. His throat is still dry, but he croaks out the only thing he can think to.

“What did you do to Arglas?”

“I did nothing,” Zanza says. “His will was weaker than my own and he fell because of it. That’s all -- besides, he gained what he wanted, didn’t he?”

“He wanted to allow his people to live in peace,” Egil’s voice shakes. “He wanted to stop the spiders. He didn’t want this.”

Zanza laughs. “If destroying Mechonis is what it takes to allow his people to live in peace, I’m sure he would be happy.”
“He would never want peace at the expense of others,” Egil forces out. “That’s why he looked for the Monado in the first place.”

“He was a fool to think that, then,” Zanza says. “Peace cannot be achieved without sacrifice. I would have expected you to understand, Egil. I thought you and I were similar… But I suppose I was wrong.”

Egil, still reeling, steels himself. “I won’t let you destroy my home. We can call off the offer, pretend it never happened. Vanea and Lianda were the only Machina there -- I can tell them you simply decided against it.”

“It’s too late for that,” Zanza says. “Perhaps if you backed off yesterday… If you just agreed to make me the weaponry… Maybe then it wouldn’t have come to this.”

“You’re saying this is my fault,” Egil states.

“It is,” Zanza says. “But don’t blame yourself too much, though. Meyneth is the one who made you this way.”

“Keep her name out of your mouth,” he snaps, but he feels frozen in place. Is this someone he can fight? Someone he can stand up to?

Zanza raises the Monado high above his head. “If you’re going to be like that, I suppose I should deal with you first. A shame, I thought you’d enjoy watching the end.”

He brings the Monado down, Egil closes his eyes. It does not connect.

He opens his eyes, the blade is but an inch from his face. His breath catches in his chest as he tries to find words. Zanza looks pained, as if he cannot move without fighting against something. Suddenly, he jerks backward.

“Egil,” for the first time in a long time the voice sounds familiar. “Run.”

“Arglas?” He weakly asks.

“I can’t… fight him for long. Please…” Arglas’s voice is strained. “Please, run. Warn your people.”

“I can’t just leave you!” Egil replies.

“You have to,” Arglas looks him in the eyes for the last time. “Go, my friend. Go and know that I--”

He shouts in pain and Egil realizes he can’t stay here. Realizes he must fufill Arglas’s final wish. He swallows down tears and runs. Runs back towards the Mechonis with all the power he can manage.

He leaves behind Arglas. He never even got to say goodbye.

Meyneth feels panic and guilt in equal amounts in her chest when the Telethia appear. Zanza is attacking -- she should have known it would come to this. Should have known living in peace would never be possible. Should have known Zanza was just as selfish as Klaus.

She has no choice -- her people are in danger and now the Bionis itself is moving, a sword of light in its hand. She forms her own, uses whatever power she must. And then, she strikes back.

As she moves the Mechonis she knows she is hurting her own people. Knows many are falling to their deaths. Knows many will be taken by the Telethia when thrown off balance. But she also knows this is the only way. If she does not fight, Zanza will destroy them all.

He will ruin everything as he had before. As he always will.

The Mechonis is hurt and, when it is, Meyneth feels it in her soul. The arm falls and she feels herself weakening, even if her soul is still intact. She continues to strike, prays to whatever may be above that she can win.

Or, at the very least, give her people more time.

She drives her sword into the Bionis and it’s not long after that the Bionis stops moving. She had done it -- she had stopped him, his vessel, at least for now. But how it left her exhausted. She pulls herself from the Mechonis, allows herself to manifest.

Her people are waiting for her, at least what remains of them. They look scared and hurt. She wishes she could do more, but she can barely move. She looks at them and her heart aches. Her poor children, she hadn’t done enough to protect them.

“Zanza is not…” She croaks out. “He’s not dead.”

There’s a murmur, she knows they do not fully understand… But her time before she must sleep is limited. She wishes she could stay and explain everything. Explain the past that would seem like a distant dream and explain the present. But she cannot.

Her eyes meet Egil.

“You must prepare,” she says. “For his return. I must… rest now my children… But I will return.”

She closes her eyes and feels herself starting to drift away. Not yet. She still needs a bit more time. Just a little more time…

“I will return when the time is right. I will not let him destroy you, my children,” she promises, though her words are strained. “I will return and we will set the world to rights. We will return to peace…”

She drifts out of consciousness, the last thing she sees before that Egil’s pained expression.

Zanza will return. He was still alive, still using Arglas’s body, no doubt. Egil has no proof of this, but that has to be the case. There was no way that he would let go of it so easily. Not when it’s something he can use to hurt like he has now.

To Egil, there is only one option. He has to die, has to be ended. But if Zanza is the Bionis, he would not die unless the Bionis itself died. He thinks for a moment of the innocents of Bionis, but then he sees a Telethia corpse.

Memories of running back to Mechonis crash over him. High Entia and Giants screaming in pain as their bodies shift and morph. Nopon running for cover. Egil making it across the bridge right before one of the monsters that had been a person a moment before destroyed it.

If this is what they became, were there really any innocents on Bionis? Or were they all just fuel and beasts that bend to Zanza’s whims?

He thinks of the trinity, gritting his teeth. Had they known? Were they his accomplices? Where they still alive, despite it all?

Did those monsters survive while his people had died? The thought makes him feel sick to his stomach. He feels like he could retch, if there was anything to expel from his stomach.

But he hasn’t even drunk since this happened a few weeks ago.

They’re still finding their dead. Still pulling bodies from the rubble and burying them. When he sees their blank faces, his core burns brighter. He has to kill Zanza, however he can. He has to strike back.

If Zanza wanted to see him make weaponry, he would. He would make weapons to fight back against the Monado. He would learn how it worked, no matter how long it took. No matter how many people he had to press to find answers.

He would understand the Monado and he would understand his trinity. He would learn about them, watch them. See what they did to assist with the return of Zanza. They were not Machina, but when serving the soul of the Bionis itself…

Well, who’s to say they couldn’t love just as long, if not longer.

He hears it still. The screams and the terror around him. Bhelex, Xerys, Verix, Merzik… He can hear them all, along with the others. Screaming in pain and fear. Begging for someone to help them as they’re crushed. Gurgle as they’re torn apart.

Help us! Help us! Help us!

Avenge us.

Someone has to avenge them. Someone has to avenge them, and perhaps that will be him. For everyone dead. And for Arglas.

“Egil,” Vanea’s voice cuts into his thoughts. Into the screams, at least for now. “There you are. You keep wandering off.”

“Do I?” He asks. “I… hadn’t noticed.”

Vanea frowns, worry coloring her expression. “You were supposed to stay in the judicial district today. You’re near the data centre… Did you need something here?”

“No,” Egil turns his head and looks up at it. “I meant it when I said I hadn’t noticed. I… don’t really remembering walking over here.”

“Oh, Egil…” She grabs his hand, gentle and kind. Someone who would not be able to do what must be done, he thinks to himself. “Come, then. Let’s get back to the others.”

Egil nods. “There’s no point in wandering aimlessly, there’s so much to be done.”

Vanea furrows her brow. “Yes. Such as our defenses.”

“Yes, of course,” Egil mumbles. 

“Egil?” She asks.

Egil looks at her. “Yes, Vanea?”

“Are you alright?” She asks, squeezing his hand with the same gentle touch she always uses with him. “You haven’t been the same since the attack.”

“I don’t know,” Egil replies. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be what I used to be. I don’t know if I’m alright.”

“Oh, brother,” she pulls him into a hug then, and he doesn’t fight back against her. He doesn’t have it in him to fight with one of his own. No, he needs that energy for something else. “It will be alright, I promise. We will make it through this.”

“We will,” Egil says. “But what then? What will we do after we get back on our feet?”

“I… don’t know,” she doesn’t let go of him as she replies. “All we can do is wait and see. Plan where to go from here.”

“You’re right,” Egil mumbles, but he stares out at the sight of the Bionis. “All we can do is plan.”