Meracydian Sorrow

[Hitura Rael]

The calm waters of the Bhiraske Sea lapped at the shore line, the fridgid waters unfrozen for a short time. Hreidmar yawned, the apex accented with a near roar. He tucked his tail and wings closer to his body and shook his head. It was a peaceful pleasant day, one very conducive to a nap. But naps to a dragon were long, and if he should drift off he'd soon find himself awakened unpleasantly by the tide or someone finding him shirking his duty. The cold did not bother him in the least, but water did. Swimming and treading water were not his best skill. Not with his ever sore leg. He flexed the toes on his back left claw, as if to remind himself they were still there, still able to be moved.

The sun lazily climbed the sky, burning away the thin fog obscuring the glass like surface of the sea. Soon it would be someone else's turn to watch the northern sea and sky. Perhaps he would venture to warmer climes and visit Aurora. It had been a while since he had seen her. She was his oldest and most cherished friend.

His musings cut short, a disturbance in the aether. The massive steel blue dragon climbed to his feet and spread his wings, scanning the horizon. There- in the distance. It was far off, too far too tell yet if it was friend or foe. And yet, it was not dragon, and that was all he needed to know. He raised his head to the sky and unleashed a deafening roar. The sound would carry far, but the aetheric echoes would carry further, alerting the rest of the brood to the alert. He lowered his head, pale white eyes fixated on the growing dot, and melted into mist.

 

[Hitura Rael]

"Approaching Meracydia, confirmed presence of target. Mist has been spread across the northern short."

Roroto Momoto fixed his emerald eyes on the distant shore quickly closing in. By his calculations, they would make land fall in five and counting. And with the Eikon already alerted to their presence, they would get a show indeed if they were not quick about it. "Keep a steady course, signal back to Eleven that we're going to drop him in three minutes. Keep six ready on standby in case he needs support."

"Affirmative captain, relaying orders to the pilots."

"Let's bag an Eikon, shall we?"

---

Inside the cockpit, entombed in the dark, Haldgybet ran his thick hand through his hair and exhaled slowly. The day he and most of the rest of the pilots had dreaded finally came. The target, Mist Dragon. The creature had been seen patroling the northern shores of Meracydia since shortly after the Empire was driven back by Ratotaskr's brood. Many of Garlemald's own had been left behind that day, abandoned when they could not be evacuated fast enough. Armed with the WEAPONs though, Magnus had a mind to take the shore back and discover the fate of those left behind. Eventually. Today, it was just a test run of Sapphire WEAPON, Eleven as the others called it. They were not keen on calling the eldritch monstrosity properly until it was tested in battle.

The radio in the cockpit crackled to life, "Eleven, stand by for cargo drop."

Haldgybet drew in a deep breath and sat up straight. "Roger, Eleven standing by." The interior of the cockpit flared to life, bathing Haldgybet in harsh white light. The system cycled through the routine checks, called out by the crew monitoring the statistics output in the bridge. The monitors displayed the dark empty cargo hold of the Aetites now. Normally, the WEAPONs would not be transported like this, but Sapphire was different. She was in a compacted mode now, curled and huddled like a large blue egg of plated armor. Her primary function was aquatic combat, and thus...

"Drop in three...two... one-"

The cargo bay doors opened, dropping the blue warmecha like a rock, straight into the ocean below. The Aetites turned in the air and came to a halt, hovering to monitor the coming battle. Beneath the waves, Sapphire unfolded, tail and tentacles spreading in the water like a monstrous man of war. The plate shielding the face lowered, orange eyes glowing in the depths. And with that, the amalgamation of beast and man sped forth toward the shore. He had to lure the Mist Dragon into a physical form first and foremost.

 

[Hitura Rael]

The water rippled where the machine was dropped into the water. All was silent and still for several long drawn out moments before the indigo monstrosity burst out of the water, heading for shore. Hreidmar drew on the aether around him. The mist thickened. The temperature dropped. Thin coats of ice hardened on the stones and surface of the machine. Visibility dropped, forcing the machine to come to a halt just before it could take steps onto the shore.

Haldgybet frowned at the creeping chill that enveloped the shore. It was not enough to deter the WEAPON, of course. The obscurification was only a diversionary tactic, a first step in this dragon's strategy. It had done it before, forcing back invasion forces when unprepared troops could not stand the bitter cold. He had two, maybe three minutes before the Meracydian airforce of dragons joined the fray to bombard the invaders with breath weaponry.

The Sapphire WEAPON emerged fully from the water, using the aether propulsors to hover inches from the glassy surface. The chest plate section protecting the face of the WEAPON lowered. The metal monster's mouth stretched open, as if to yawn. A pale blue glow grew within, starting dull in the back of the throat before filling the entire orifice with brilliant hot light. Haldgybet didn't want to hurt anyone in the blast, merely draw the dragon out. He targeted a nearby cove and let the Sapphire Beam fire. The sweeping light bit into the stone, burned away mist, and kicked up swells of ocean water. Fragments of stone rained from the exploded segments while rapidly heated sections cracked and crumbled from impact. The hiss of steam rose from the ocean in gouts and spurts. The next shot would not be a warning shot. If necessary, he would tear apart the cove and shoreline to burn away the dragon's advantage.

Hreidmar recoiled from the blast. The mist closest to it lost some density, that which was Hreidmar's essence at least, for fear of being burned away in the blasts. He got the message, loud and clear. Trickery would not work on this creature and it would not turn back peacefully. It would burn away the mist as it saw fit, possibly even unleash that blast upon more distant targets, ones that would devastate villages and nesting grounds. The fog receded, gathered upon the shore line, and solidified. With a defiant roar, the white dragon stood his ground. "Thou will not take another step mortal!"

 

[Hitura Rael]

Haldgybet had to hand it to the Eikon, it stood it's ground well. Perhaps finding only one opponent instead of an army bolstered it's bravado. It would learn, though that would do no good. Be it pure Eikon or an avatar, it would soon, regrettably, be fuel for Sapphire. If the dragon could trounce the monstrosity, Haldgybet would welcome it. But he could not throw this match, nor embrace death. Too many were relying on him. Another would just be forced to take his place, more broken families, more destroyed lives... He would be the sacrificial shield protecting further conscripts.

Sapphire was widely regarded as the weakest of the prototypes by the R&D team. It was an ambush predator, designed to take down the great navy of Limsa Lominsa. The Eikon Killer would be necessary to combat Leviathan as well, should the Sahagin join in skirmishes. The element of surprise had already been lost and would not work on this Eikon. It had already demonstrated it's ability to convert itself into a misty form. There wasn't enough data, they could only assume that it could hold that form indefinitely. A long enough encounter with the dragon invited the rest of the colony to join the fray. Even now, the aetheric resonation in the air betrayed their intent. They could not translate the waves of their roars and did not need to. They were coming and he knew it. He had to lure the beast into the water.

Sapphire hovered backward, into deeper water. All the while, the canon mounted in the mouth began to charge again. Hreidmar drew in a deep breath and exhaled a blast of thick fog at his feet. He whipped his head back and forth, bathing the shore line in a thicker mist. He could affect the cove, but it would take longer. Under the cover of the fog, he took flight. Like an owl upon the wind, he silently rose. He circled the WEAPON, stream of mist leading the charge to completely surround the beast in a thick soup of white.

Sapphire's canon powered down and the plate slid up to protect the machine's face. Monitor after monitor displayed white, flickering with static interference. Aetherometers went crazy in the cloud, giving him no indication of where the dragon would appear, if at all. For a moment, all was silent. Sweat rolled down the back of Haldgybet's neck. He scarcely afforded himself a breath, for fear that it would be his undoing.

On silent wings, the Eikon struck. Haldgybet jerked forward against his restraints, the sound of claw on metal raked through the air, and a glimpse of movement stirred within the thick mist, retreating ahead of him back into the cover. Strike after strike, the Eikon threw itself against the Weapon, landing blow after blow. Right, front, left, back then- The mist condensed in front of Sapphire. The Eikon drew a deep breath and unleashed a blast of icy breath in it's face.

 

[Hitura Rael]

"Finally" Haldgybet growled under his breath. The Aether surged, bathing the Sapphire WEAPON in it's icy embrace. Joints creaked and groaned with each movement. The temperature within Sapphire fought warred with the sub zero blast bathing it. The dragon could not breathe forever though, but ice was it's dominion. The mist condensed into large thick ice chunks around Sapphire and pelted the frame as if magnetized. They clung, building a cage of ice around the massive weapon. It seemed that the Eikon had one the fight, layer after layer encasing the Sapphire.

Despite the disadvantage, the tentacles fought against the sheets of ice. It struggled to lift them above it's head, positioned as if to strike out at the dragon with force before falling short to land upon it's hide with only it's weight behind the blows. Hreidmar drew in a deep breath, chest heaving after such an extended blast. He snarled at the tentacles slowly drifting down his hide. A few more deep breaths a beat of his wings, he had the strength to propel himself backwards. He dropped a few malms in the air with a startled yelp, the blue beast's grip pulling him back. With bared fangs and an enraged roar, he slashed at the tentacles stuck to his hide.

"I'm sorry," Haldgybet murmured, "but I need your strength." He diverted the power from the canons to the tentacles. The dragon's thick hide prevented the Eikon from even feeling as the hooks and suckers latched into it. Hreidmar did, however, feel it when the aether started to be sucked out of him. With a smug look, the dragon began to fuzz to mist. A shock of levin aether jolted that idea out of the dragon. Pained screams filled the air, smoke curled off the scales of the Eikon. The jolts did not stop until the dragon went limp in Sapphire's hold. Hreidmar breathed hard and slow, body wracked with pain. It was all he could do to stay conscious. His vision fuzzed and dimmed. Soon, his form followed before it was swallowed in a light of aether, then drank down by the Sapphire WEAPON.

Sapphire's eyes flashed, a shudder rippled through the machine, the ice cracked, and with a flex of it's body, exploded outward to rain down upon the sea. Haldgybet tapped away at the machine's controls, fully integrating Mist Dragon into the systems. The replicated Heart of Sabik would keep the Eikon and it's avatar alive, if it had one. In theory anyway. He moved his hand to his ear, activating the linkpearl, "Mission complete, Eikon is captive and fully integrated."

 

[Fenrir367]

The sound of hastened footsteps filled the brush and reverberated through the ground as Aurora dashed to the coastline of Meracydia. Her friend told her not to go, but she knew that things were going to be bad. She could feel it in her blood. She just hoped she wouldn’t be too late.

“Your anger is quite… the delicacy. I knew I made the right choice in choosing you, my Champion.”

The voidsent within her stirred, responding to her emotions with honeyed words.

“You can spare me your words, Balor. Just shut up and wait for me to need your help.”

Aurora responded back with her own sharp tongue, not in the mood to jest with the soul that slept within her. Balor simply responded with a chuckle, before fading back out of her mind.

The girl pulled out the scythe from her back, the blue, almost crystal-like edge glimmering from the overhead sun. As she got closer to the coast, she could see and feel the mist beginning to form, hazy air beginning to surround her and the local temperature dropping. Pufts of gray air left Aurora’s mouth, her breathing heavy, but controlled. Emotions and tensions continued to build up within her as she drew closer and closer to the combat zone, her grip tightening on her weapon.

It was then that she arrived at the coast, emerging from the brush unto a high cliff. Visibility was poor, but she could see the Mist Dragon being enwrapped by the machine’s tentacles. Though what was next only horrified Aurora as she saw her friend be ‘devoured’ by the machine.

It was then that a volcano of emotion erupted from within the girl, as she took a low stance, bracing for a jump. Thoughts were meaningless, blood rushed to her head and filled her eyes with red, as she gave a guttural roar from deep within.

“BALOR!”

Calling her ‘partner’s’ name, she could feel the voidsent’s aether enter her body and fill it to the brim with power. She leaped into the air, one arm dragging the scythe behind her and the other held to the air, dark aether forming in her hand, before releasing it in a ball of energy aimed directly at the Sapphire WEAPON. She then gripped her scythe with both hands as the edge became emblazoned with black and red energies, Aurora determined to reap through the machine’s body.

 

[Hitura Rael]

Sapphire turned away from the coast line, Haldgybet scanned the skies for the Aetites' descent. The impact of the dark energy was hardly noticeable by the machine. Yet alarums and sensors it did trip, and attention it did grab. The machine turned to raise one of the tentacle like appendages, catching the blade of the scythe on the intricate surface of the bio-weapon's carapace. Haldgybet stared at the little menace that had attacked, mouth hung open.

It was a girl, a Hyur girl. With a Garlean soul stone. Attempts on the previous Emperor's life had been made by someone once wielding this sort of power. Others within the ranks used it as well, not as a main force but as peace keepers and demon slayers, keeping the vile void kin in check within the nation. How could one be here? It was something to ponder on later. Sapphire curled it's second tentacle to give the girl somewhere to stand. She was so young... she didn't need involved in this. "Listen kid," He rumbled low over the loud speaker, "If you back off now you won't be caught by the Aetites when it descends. You wanna help your Eikon, you gotta get out of here. You can't help it if you're dead or caught, and I can't protect you."

 

[Fenrir367]

Scythe and Tentacle clashed, Aurora struggling to put all her might behind the strike. It was truthfully a meaningless effort, the two sides in completely different leagues of power from each other. To any sane person it was all futile, but unfortunately for Aurora, she was blind to all such reasoning, emotions having seized control of her body.

“Are you blind to your own actions?!”

She shouted to the Weapon.

“You come here, attack our land, imprison our family, and you have the gall to talk about ‘helping’?”

Her eyes gleamed a sharp crimson red, an almost inhumane glow coming from her irises.

“You help only yourselves, and abandon all who might inconvenience you even in the slightest. Haven’t you taken enough already?!”

Thoughts of her mother came flowing into her mind, only doubling the rage she felt in the moment. Today was the day her revenge would start.

She took her left arm and thrusted it forward, the blade-like dart flung forward, the cloth it was attached to trailing behind. It would lodge itself in the Weapon’s carapice, before Aurora kicked off the tentacle, swinging around the Weapon’s body in an arc, vectored in on the machine’s head.

“You’ll give me back my friend, and you’ll do it now!”

The scythe was once again emblazoned in black and red energies as she swung the blade now aimed for the center of the machine’s ‘head’.

“Or I’ll make you!”

 

[Hitura Rael]

Ah, such righteous fury. The kid wouldn't listen to reason in this state. There was no need to waste his breath either. This battle would be over quickly enough without shedding her blood. He could only hope she would not be completely stupid in attempting to give chase.

"You want your friend back, you'll have to come take them. Remember that for every Garlean blindly following orders there are those of us shackled and bound to their desires with threats and blackmail." The girl's strike would have found home, had it not been for the way Sapphire was designed. It's head lowered, carapace sliding into place to shield it. The ear splitting sound of metal grating on metal echoed through the bay.

"I don't recommend you hang around on this war machina kid." Haldgybet warned, tone dire. "Aetites, I'm changing the pick up point. I have a local clinging on. I'm going to submerge and shake the kid off. Rendezvous further out."

As he spoke, Sapphire began it's descent into the waves while it sped out of the bay toward the open sea. Spray and frothing water licked around the azure machine as the waves parted, swiftly swallowing the amphibious beast into the dark depths.