Together we fall

Life as per usual

Looking up at the upper parts of the Bionis was beautiful. The serene surroundings around me made it even more peaceful and natural. I could just stare at the sapphire blue sky for hours, like I have been for a while. It's been a year since the terrible war with the Mechon happened, yet still there are still occasional attacks. I really should be practicing in the case that it does happen again. Knowing the Defense Force, they probably aren't going to stand much of a chance. In that case, people should learn to fight for themselves. Who knows when the next attack gorey will happen.

After all, Dunban, and in extension, the Monado, had left to go with a group of people to figure out why the Mechon all of a sudden came back and started attacking. Right now we were just a Colony without a hero, a sitting duck. At least some of us are able to get our hands on some anti-Mechon weapons, but who knows if that'll even be enough.

Dickson has been a big help, though, and yet he still isn't here all the time. So it just leaves us who are willing to fight and the incompetent Defense Force to protect the colony. At this rate, who knows what will become of us. All I can do is hope we don't die out.

I pushed myself up, grabbing my weapons and walking. Better head back to the Colony, see if the Defense Force has any jobs they are too lazy to do. Maybe get some agility up gems along the way. Yeah, that sounded good. I strolled over, taking in the sights of the areas here. People said that further than the Colony, there were even more beautiful places. I've heard from Dickson about a dangerous, yet insanely beautiful, place called Satorl Marsh that lights up in fluorescence at nighttime. Or Makna Forest, the home to the Nopon. I've heard that there is a giant hollowed tree there that is the living space for all of them. And Valak Mountain, oh the surprisingly beautiful frozen wasteland. Supposedly that's where the Monado was found, it's in the top place for where to go when I can ditch the colony.

Dickson has also told tales of the High Entia, but no one really believes him too much. After all, if they did exist and were so close to Sword Valley, why didn't they send any reinforcements to help? It made me ponder whether to trust his elaborate words about other places or not. It's hard to have blind faith in people anymore.

I realized I had been in my own little world for too long. I looked down at my knuckles and put away the spikes. the handheld weapons hung off my waist, making me have to tread carefully so that I didn't accidentally stab myself with them. I walked on, looking for the lazy soldiers that would need help doing their job. Sure enough, one was standing post in front of the entrance to Tephra Cave.

"Oh! Kognis, just the man I've been looking for!" He said excitedly, looking down at me. I sighed.

"What do you need, Bruce?"

"Okay, so it's kinda a long story. You see, I was on patrol in the caves, holding my fiancee's ring, and then I lost it. I was somewhere near the end of the cave when I lost track of it. And don't you dare ask why I was walking through the cave with the ring. Oh, and also, could you pick up some Ether crystals on the way? I'll make it worth your time."

I shook my head, mumbling something incomprehensible. "Fine. I'll do it. Although, I don't work for free, you know."

Bruce chuckled "Oh Kognis, you know how this works! You'll get it after you've finished the tasks. I promise it'll be worth it."

"It better be." I grunted, shaking my head and walking through the entrance to the dark cavern. My annoyance didn't last long, however, as I let the visuals of the cave take my breath away. I could never stay mad in here, despite my normal ticked off personality.

Now that I think it, "the end of Tephra Cave" had two meanings. One, at the beginning of Mag Mell Ruins, and the other the literal end of Tephra Cave. I sighed. Great, I would have to check both, just bloody wonderful. If it was at the beginning, it shouldn't be that hard to find. He must've dropped it on the way back, and honestly, the easier way to get it. Less creatures to fight. I suppose it doesn't matter anyways, I still had to get some Ether Crystals. If I have to go all the way through, then it would mean fighting every enemy in that cave, and honestly, I wasn't too fond of Arachnos. Might as well check the ether cylinder stock first.

I started walking through the cave, looking for the ring. Something was off, none of the Brogs were attacking. I halfheartedly slammed one into a wall, the other ones cowering in fear. Had something happened? Oh well, it just makes my job easier. I waltzed through the cave, climbing up the ruins. I exited outside, searching the ground for the ring. Of course it wouldn't be that easy, the soldier just had to go all the way through the cave. I sighed and turned around, staring out at the Colony. Was that... Smoke? Oh crap.

I jumped over the railing, diving the long distance between the landing and the water below. It was cold, but I managed to swim to the bank. Shivering, I ran towards it, but that didn't last long. My feet stopped, eyes wide. Damned Mechon! They were invading the colony, wrecking buildings. People were screaming, I saw a screaming woman and her child get eaten, making me want to vomit. There was a faint whirring and clicking behind me. I spun around.

I tried getting out of the way, jumping back, but the large metal claw had already clung onto my arm like a vice, squeezing it into oblivion. I screamed in pain, curling my hand into a fist and smacking the claw with my spikes. All was for naught, for the machine couldn't simply yelp in pain and let me go. Instead, the claw simply started pushing my arm further in, my head getting close to the opening. This was it, this is how I would die. If only I'd-

Shing

The sound of metal on metal chilled me to the bone, the arm with the claw on it falling off and pulling me to the ground. The machine looked around, confused as to what was going on. A giant axehead had wedged its way into it's body, severing wires and cutting through the gears that kept it functional.

"It seems you just couldn't handle this one on your own."