Fearless Integration
The facility came to it’s destination exactly as planned, early in the morning. Breakfast had already been eaten, and everyone was ready to face the day ahead of them.
Lwyn took a few extra moments spending time with her mother’s core. She was getting the idea that it might be a good move to enshrine something better for her mother, but she knew it was best to bring those ideas back to the citadel with her. Her mother had wanted to be free, after all, setting up anything here just didn’t seem right. Ehryinae had ensured that her mother had been cremated, so that her remains could be brought safely and easily to the citadel. It had been Thanrie’s idea, cremation wasn’t common in Celese for such things, but neither was having a dead body that was mostly mechanical. In fire, her body could regain it’s purity. The container with the ashes was safely in the possession of the Embers for now.
Lwyn herself had only learned about it early this morning, her concerns about the fate of her mother’s body suddenly worrying her. Divided from her mechanical nature, her more metallic parts had been left behind before they had set off, buried itself like a corpse. While the parts might have been useful, no one wanted to taint Sxeiva in that way, it was far better to respect her in passing. Even her mechanical side deserved that much. Lwyn herself had missed the entire thing, due to her own grief. She was determined to have a proper ceremony with her mother’s ashes, and to not miss that one.
Thanrie decided to give Lwyn however much more time she might need. There was no need for concern, Lwyn was clearly set on keep going forwards, that was obvious to everyone. To her closest friends, they knew Lwyn was intent on moving forwards because of her mother, ever determined to not let Sxeiva down. So instead, Thanrie turned to the obstacle before them. They would finally be returning to the Rebellion, but held considerable concern in their limited views obstructing their potential. She had finished making a collection of mechanical marvels, someone just needed to use them.
Zyuixqs in this moment marched by her, not on foot. He was already suited up in his power armor, a walking demonstration of their own prowess. They had three more ready to go, and more beyond that still being worked on. She had also foundered a few simple firearms, mechanical marvels that tried to reach towards the potential of Earth. Maybe a hundred years.. possibly twice over.. behind that target, they were still a marvel over the swords otherwise common around here. They still had little progress in any more advanced custom-made firearms, not unless someone could supplement it with a gift.
Thanrie stepped out from the facility, watching Rhyde in conversation with someone new. Qheria was with him already, lending a hand in Yuxzn’s absence. “I’m, uh, terribly sorry. We really didn’t expect you would show up so early in the morning. We’re not completely prepared at this moment.” The young girl standing reception seemed quite flustered. “We said we would leave on the third day, and we left at the break of dawn. To arrive in kind to the same of the day shouldn’t come to such a surprise. Morning waits for no one.” “Khaexyn won’t exactly be waiting either, if he shows up in the morning, he shows up in the morning. It wasn’t like we were just given generous opportunities to deal with him so far, for our own victories.” Rhyde and Qheria were tag teaming the poor girl.
Eventually, someone else arrived, yet another new face. “Rhyde, my boy, I see you’ve not changed at all. Your partner in crime however seems to have taken a new face, you two get along very well.” The newcomer laughed as Rhyde went stark red. Qheria herself was left to hesitate as well, clearly this was someone who knew Rhyde personally. “So, speaking of boys, where has my son been hiding? I know I had left him in your care and safe keeping, trusting it would do him well to learn away from home, but it seems you’ve taken his lessons to a whole new level.” The man started searching as Thanrie clued in to whom they might be addressing. This was Zyuixqs’ father, the leader of the entire rebellion.
Thanrie then wanted some answers. “I’m unsure how having him exiled would be a good lesson. It looked more like you were disowning the guy.” “Ah, yes, matters of politics can be messy in that way. While he might be like a prince to everyone here, there are still matters that can force peoples hands. It is hard to explain, young lady, you wouldn’t understand matters of court and politics.” Thanrie was suddenly face to face with Zyuixqs’s father, staring him down from a Uyn away instead of plowing into his face. She was tempted, but she was more interested in proving her point.
“Right, Rhyde, you maybe have lacked in proper introductions. I am Thanryitaeli Zyxaesteyln, crown princess of the Wyxiri, fourth child. Beside Rhyde is my companion Qheriyaehyzeiri Aiylthhiylz, daughter of the Qiciri national hero named Xyithynaezyq Aiylthhiylz. Her mother is also here, if you wish to speak with her, as is one of my brothers. Our entourage does include other important individuals, such as my companion Mhylzhyine Ihrnaelzyhr, daughter of the High-Seer of the Elniri, herself chosen as the Elniri Saviour. Most notable though is Lwynitsse Duxaeyhlit, granddaughter of the Arch-Magus, and has claim to a seat of the Circle Elves, along with certain Wyxiri and Qiciri nobility. Matters of court and politics aren’t lost upon us, Lwynitsse most of all, as she is now forced to stand up against her father and tear his dominion down. You might know the man, Jheiqsylkhaexyn Duxaeyhlit, also known as the Fortress Lord.” Everyone else paused as Thanrie ripped into Zyuixqs’s father with words more empowered than her punches.
“Some family ties are discarded by fathers in the worst ways imaginable. Why would you let such an exile fall upon Zyuixqs?” “Simple, because I trusted him, and I trusted Rhyde. I had learned about the incident with the Marauders, and how their shallow views were inhibiting my son’s success. I see letting him go and discover his own path for himself had even achieved just that.” Thanrie was taken aback by the Rebellion Leader’s logic, offering freedom? That was itself a new idea to her. In key with the statement, a suit of power armor marched out the door and parked itself, Zyuixqs stepping out from it.
“Father!” “Ah, yes, clearly you’ve done me proud, my boy. Both of you, Zyuixqs and Rhyde. I had worried about the Marauders closed views, but clearly neither of you were going to let something like that hold you back any. Thanryitaeli, I thank you for your effort and attention, helping my son to grow and discover such potential. It warms my heart, knowing that there is someone among you so concerned at the well-being of my son.” Zyuixqs ran to his father, who himself passed praise to those present, Thanrie included. Thanrie herself started to go scarlet a bit and backed off.
Mhyl and Lwyn showed up soon after, and were introduced accordingly once again. Zyuixqs was told to put the power armor away and then return, the demonstration already concluded. Chyurae went to help him, as Yuxzn showed up to join Rhyde again. Not long after, everyone found themselves in the underground domain of the Rebellion at its core, with halls that dwarfed what the Marauders had for them. These chambers were huge, feeling closer in nature to what the Fortress itself had to offer them. The four girls were thankful that the layout was far simpler and straightforwards when compared to the Fortress, it was just a cyclic web.
“So I hear you four young ladies have been at core for all the commotion of late, clearly all very ambitious and talented young women. It has shaken up much of the quiet pace we’ve been enduring with our own operations of late, we’ve even had to make a few changes of plans as a result. I hear there will be many more to come as well, with the wrath of the Fortress Lord soon to descend upon us in full fury. We might need to make a few changes to our own agendas, in kind.” The Rebellion Leader guided them into a nearby meeting room, to hold council for their plans going forward. Along the way, they saw more than a few captured mechanical marvels, being worked on and adapted for new usage. Thanrie was impressed, clearly this side of the Rebellion did not hold the same flaws as the Marauders. She decided to withhold any further judgement, undeserving as they were of her original complaints.
Once they entered the room, Thanrie found herself facing three familiar faces. “All that time, wasted, and I was getting really good at the whole patrolling thing.” “Yeah, really, some of it was honest fun. The whole attendant stuff was like gold for getting undercover information.” “Quiet you two, the time for such games is over, our true Liege returns.” All three of the staff from the Fortress that Thanrie had discovered stood before her, composing their gear for attention. The most senior between them was the most prepared, saluting right away as they walked in. The other two jumped when Thanrie arrived, but then resumed their proper posture.
“Yes, we’ve even had to pull back some of our spies from the fortress, as Khaexyn has been so on guard now after the disappearance of his family. I’m of the further understanding what might have occurred, Lady Lwynitsse. Rhyde, your team really stirred up the raven’s nest this time. Mayhap you and I should converse on the details, while we leave our crews to settle in. They are all welcome to relax in the comforts of this domain, as far as they are able, and are free to ask if they need anything further. My own crew is still preparing for the morning, so it might be for the best to adjurn things as they stand and work from there.” The Rebellion Leader motioned for Rhyde to follow him, leaving the others in the care of his staff, currently consisting of the three girls from the Fortress.
Thanrie was still processing all of this in her head. It seemed a lot less of a marvel, wandering around the Fortress as if they belonged there.. after meeting three girls who had been doing the exact same thing. Spies, they were spies.. this knowledge could have been a thousand times helpful during the whole escapade. However, it appears that she wasn’t the only one fooled. “Wait, so you three are also Rebellion? Woah, you were good.” “How much training? How did you get past the junior phase, listening to that smug jerk?” “Obviously, they had inside help, if Lady Yhse was on their side the entire time.” All three of them were marvelling about events, even the senior one coming to the wrong conclusion. Thanrie decided to share her story with them.
All three of them were stunned. That was their first morning, the day they all met, and they had done so well. Even the senior among them was concerned about the implications. “You had us so fooled, woah. So all that laundry and map stuff was.. a lie? The whole thing was an act, everything?” “Well, yeah, I actually never got to see the laundry there. Not even sure why it was scary, Lwyn here showed me how it’s supposed to be done.” The three of them were endlessly shocked, both at the acting skills, and the idea of Lady Yhse doing laundry. It was still a subject that had left them scarred, after their three years of undercover service.
Lwyn was starting to get uncomfortable with most of the subjects. She knew her friends had done amazingly, but she knew she really wasn’t doing much of an act through the process. Instead, she had just been herself, first as Lady Yhseliahysse, then as just been there as if nothing had changed, while learning on the side. Her three friends, these three girls, all of them had been undercover, but her father had known exactly who she was, and had allowed her to stay for that very reason. The fact that the three girls were still calling her Lady Yhse was also making things a bit uncomfortable for her. She discreetly slipped away, leaving the others to continue talking.
Mhyl slipped out with her, making sure Lwyn was alright. “Everything okay?” “Uh, well, mostly. Thanrie seems happy at least, but the current subject.. it’s kinda uncomfortable. All that ‘Lady Yhse’ stuff, I just want to leave it behind me. I made some really bad choices there, like telling my friends to go away, it sucked. The only good parts were with mother, but now she’s…” Mhyl gave Lwyn a hug, kinda understanding the problem. She really didn’t feel at home in the excited Izhaethyx conversation either, even if she had gotten better at it, and hearing how it was troubling Lwyn too, maybe they would have to find something else instead. Mhyl guided Lwyn away from the room the others were still in, searching for for such an alternative.
They eventually stumbled upon the kitchen, the staff rushing desperately, preparing lunch. Lwyn instantly knew what she wanted to do, having been deprived of such needs before. “How is lunch going, is there anything that needs help?” Lwyn’s offer for help didn’t fall upon deaf ears, only ears concerned about including a guest. However, they quickly found her adjusting to the current plan, already setting to dicing up foods for cooking. Their complaints faded as they saw the talent Lwyn possessed, and this turned to her being included in their efforts. Mhyl also stepped in, working as Lwyn’s assistant, helping to get everything done.
Lunch itself was then prepared and served promptly, bringing everyone back together for the meal. The Rebellion Leader was surprised to find Lwyn and Mhyl throwing themselves into the whole operation, but could not question the quality of their efforts. Clearly, this was an example of why Rhyde’s crew was getting things done, having such ambitious and driven women making sure things were happening. He had been especially interested in the advancements Rhyde had discovered, the weapons he had procured and developed, even the ones available. The facility itself was an impressive sight to behold, as was the power armor.
On that subject, once lunch concluded, he was interested in seeing more of the power armors. Instead of seeing his son pilot one again, he wanted to gauge how easy it was to learn, and assigned his three recently reassigned spies to the role. Unlike Zyuixqs, the three girls had trouble even turning the thing on while following directions. The power armor instead would just stall instantly once it was activated. They continued trying for a while, until it was decided that this might take a bit more than a little practice. Everyone else wandered away as Zyuixqs continued his efforts in trying to teach the three woman how to pilot the armor properly.
Thanrie then took the opportunity to introduce her firearm creations, which the Rebellion Leader took great interest in. Taking one for himself, a quick hunting demonstration resulted in him absolutely sold on the project. Qheria also had been offering her guidance on how to properly use such a rifle, taken from her own cadet memories. Yuxzn had been taking watch, marvelling on how it compared to his own bow, drawing comparisons of the two, and building a tactical framework for the weapon in his mind. Rhyde just stepped back, letting Qheria and Thanrie take the spotlight.
Lwyn and Mhyl had gotten bored with the whole thing, and had made their own escape. Lwyn never really liked guns and such, and had been happy having never personally seen one in her life. Thanrie making some had broken that for her. Mhyl just wasn’t that interested in the guns either, and otherwise was more interested in making sure Lwyn wasn’t left abandoned. They decided thus to track down Ehryinae, to find out what else was going on in the facility over this time.
It seemed Xyithy was out scouting once again, stealthily keeping an avid watch. Considering they knew an attack was pending, it only made sense. Ehryinae was in the same mindset tending to their defenses, making sure the facility itself was ready to fight in top condition. Their long trip had made that questionable, so she wanted the chance to confirm everything was still alright. Aelyiq was checking their supplies, ever concerned about their medical supplies situation, more so as the threat of war approached. They had suffered a bunch of injuries recently, so making sure they had everything still in order was a grave concern.
Ihzyhur himself was bored, as everything else was already handled. He ran into the two girls as he was just casually walking around, restless. “Ihzyhur relax. Need to calm down and no worry.” “Oh, hi Mhyl. I’m not sure how you expect me to relax, being stuck in here is just having my mind racing.” “Then why no outside? We come to, we need relax too. Maybe find a good place?” Mhyl was actually holding a conversation with Ihzyhur, Lwyn was impressed. She was going to jump in for them, but found there wasn’t any real need.
Lwyn however did have an idea. Everything around the facility was busy, so instead, they would relax on the facility. She grabbed another chain and went up to the roof, setting it up so that the others could climb easily. Mhyl actually found the climb easier than Ihzyhur, considering he still wasn’t used to such antics. Eventually they sat upon the roof and just looked out at the scenery before them. From this spot, just faintly hidden by a hill, they could see out to the lake, spanning an eternity before them as a beautiful shimmering blanket in the midday sun. Mhyl knew the threat behind such a sun, but had also adjusted to it’s heat well enough. She was taking everything much better than she had used to.
Looking out to the lake, Mhyl could see out beyond it. She knew what she was looking at, the Fortress. She hadn’t yet seen it with such clarity before, this viewpoint was excellent. No wonder the Rebellion Leader had chosen this spot for his efforts. She knew her own sight was better than most, being elven and everything, but she expected human sight might still do well enough from this view. However, from this vantage point, she was given a sight they knew was inevitable. Amassing at the fortress was a growing armada, already preparing for the battles ahead. Khaexyn was already on the move then!
It seems their break would be suddenly interrupted, as Mhyl rushed to descend and bring the news to Rhyde. What had concerned her the most wasn’t their presence, or even the fact the Colossal was standing with them, it was which direction they were aimed to march.
Luminaeris 