Chapter 86

In the destroyed town center, the militia members had completed the grim task of packing up the remains of their fallen comrades as best as they could. The aftermath was a chilling scene of blood stains and scattered fragments. Mayor Victoria surveyed the tragic tableau, a heavy sigh escaping her.

One of the militia members turned to her, their eyes reflecting a mix of sorrow and uncertainty. "What should we do about the... blood, Mayor?" Victoria took a deep breath, the weight of responsibility evident in her gaze. "There isn't much we can do. We just have to scrub the place clean," she replied, the harsh reality of the situation hanging heavily in the air.

"Should we start now, Mayor?" another militia member asked. Victoria, however, shook her head, her expression somber. "We need to give the remains to family members first, so they can have a proper burial. I'll get someone else to clean this up while you all attend to that."

The militia members exchanged glances, grappling with the difficult task ahead. "How do we tell which is who's?" one asked, the violence of Eirisse's attack having left the bodies barely recognizable.

"You should be able to tell by the heads. As for the bodies without heads, come here, and I'll mark them," Victoria instructed. The militia members approached, and Victoria diligently marked each pack with the names of the fallen, committing to memory the details of their tragic demise.

After Victoria marked the packs, the militia members saluted her before embarking on the challenging mission of delivering the fallen to their grieving families. As Victoria watched them walk away, the distant hum of an engine reached her ears. She turned to see the Mark IX steamstrider gracefully approaching, its streamlined chassis adorned with polished brass embellishments gleaming in the subdued light.

Xain and Larkin also turned their attention to the approaching vehicle. The Mark IX, a masterpiece of engineering, showcased its grandeur. Large, reinforced windows lined the sides, offering a glimpse into the well-appointed cabin within. Powerful, steam-powered headlamps framed with ornate metalwork adorned the front, casting a focused and illuminating glow.

The steamstrider's modular design hinted at its adaptability, with attachment points suggesting the capacity to add or remove cargo compartments, passenger cabins, or other specialized features. Strategically placed, reinforced armor plating added a layer of durability while contributing to its rugged and distinguished appearance.

As the Mark IX came to a stop, controlled bursts of steam released from elegant vents along the sides and rear, creating a visual spectacle that added a touch of drama to its arrival. The air was filled with the hiss of escaping steam, accentuating the imposing presence of this mechanical marvel.

Larkin stood in awe, his eyes fixed on the Mark IX steamstrider. "It's... it's... it's beautiful!" he exclaimed, marveling at every aspect of the vehicle – its design, functionality, practicality, adaptability. To him, it was a perfect marvel of engineering.

Xain, having encountered a Mark IX before, was more composed. He questioned Victoria, a hint of caution in his voice. "Are you sure we can keep this?" Xain knew the immense value of a Mark IX steamstrider. Stealing or acquiring one could set someone up for life due to their rarity and, in some cases, sheer power.

"I already told you that this is the least I could do, so shut up and accept it already!" Victoria exclaimed, silencing Xain. He nodded, acknowledging her generosity, and continued his examination of the steamstrider. From his inspection and previous knowledge, he knew its exact dimensions: standing 15 feet (4.5 meters) in height, 25 feet (7.6 meters) in length, and 10 feet (3 meters) in width.

Ercale approached them, taking a glance at the Mark IX. After inspecting the vehicle, he commented, "That's an impressive machine, almost like a tank without a barrel." Xain, puzzled, looked at Ercale and asked, "You know what a tank is?" Ercale nodded in affirmation. "Yes, I do. I'm surprised that you seem to know what it is as well," he replied.

Xain, scratching his head, explained, "Well, I've never actually seen one in person, but they are a thing in Veridiania, and they have been for quite some time." Ercale appeared annoyed at Xain's response. "Of course, Veridiania is the one to make tanks first. I'm guessing they've created many more things meant only for destruction and nothing else as well?" he asked. Xain nodded, replying, "Yup, G.E.A.R. are the first things to pop into my head whenever I think of things Veridiania will use to conquer Aetheria."

Ercale sighed. "Tell me more about Veridiania once we get moving," he said. Xain nodded in agreement. "Sure, let's just wait for Zee to get back first."

The militia member who drove the Mark XI got out, saluting Victoria. "I've brought the vehicle, Mayor. What else would you have me do?" he asked. Victoria pointed at the bloodstains and scattered fragments. "Start cleaning all that up," she ordered. The militia member saluted again and went to gather supplies for cleaning up the aftermath.

As soon as the driver exited, Larkin peered into the steamstrider, eager to explore its interior. The inside unfolded like a mechanical marvel, a perfect blend of comfort and industrial aesthetics. Plush, cushioned seats invited passengers to relax, strategically placed for optimal views through reinforced windows. For longer journeys, dedicated sleeping areas were discreetly integrated, each containing a comfortable berth for passengers to rest during extended travels.

Brass embellishments adorned the walls, mirroring the intricate exterior design. Softly glowing lamps with gear-shaped shades provided warm illumination. The air carried a faint scent of steam and machinery, a testament to the heart of the vehicle—the powerful steam engine.

Modularity was evident, with attachment points allowing for cargo compartments or additional seating configurations. Control panels, adorned with brass levers and dials, hinted at the sophisticated technology powering the Mark IX.

As Larkin continued to marvel at the Mark IX's interior, Xain approached him with a teasing remark, "Don't get too excited, old man. We don't want your heart giving out." Larkin, absorbed in examining the vehicle, casually replied, "Yeah, yeah, whatever."

From behind them, a voice asked, "Is that what we're going to travel with?" Xain turned to see Zee standing there, looking at the steamstrider in awe. "Hey, you're back. Did you finish what you went to do?" he asked. Zee, definitely not panicking, responded, "What I went to do? Yeah, of course, I did what I went to do. Why would I not do what I went to do? Anyway, I'm tired, so I'm going to go inside this now. Ha ha ha." She entered the steamstrider, pushing past Larkin, leaving Xain and Ercale perplexed.

Ercale couldn't help but express his confusion. "How is she the most competent out of all of you?" he asked. Xain shook his head, saying, "I have no idea."

"Well, I suppose you guys will be taking off now?" Victoria inquired as Xain and Ercale turned to her. "Yeah, unless there's something else we can help with?" Xain offered, while Ercale scoffed. Victoria shook her head, dismissing his offer. "You've already done enough. Everything else is mine and the militia's duties."

Xain surveyed the town center, the aftermath of destruction and death weighing on him. His expression darkened as he couldn't help but think, *If only I... if only.* Victoria noticed his troubled look and sighed, addressing him, "Don't blame yourself for this somehow, you idiot." Xain looked at her, releasing a couple of dry chuckles. "I'm not, don't worry," he lied.

Victoria rolled her eyes. "If you don't stop, I'm going to take back the steamstrider," she warned. Xain shook himself out of his thoughts. "Okay, okay! I won't. It's just a habit of mine," he admitted. Victoria added, "A bad habit. Even with the little time we've spent together, I can tell you're the idiotic heroic type that blames himself for something that wasn't his fault." Ercale nodded in agreement. "I agree. He goes way too far for people he barely knows," he remarked. Xain shot him a pointed look. "Aren't you the one who wanted to save the town in the first place? None of us even knew what was happening until you pointed it out!" he retorted, earning an annoyed glance from Ercale.

"I had no intention of saving the town; I only did it to settle a debt," Ercale stated with an annoyed tone. Both Xain and Victoria wore confused expressions. "What debt?" Xain inquired, and Victoria added, "Yeah, what are you talking about?" Ercale glanced at Xain, saying, "Did you forget already? I even asked you to give me the apple back." Xain looked flabbergasted. "The apple?" Victoria remained confused. "What's this about an apple?" she asked, as Ercale rummaged through his garb and produced a red apple. "This apple was given to me by that brat, Mari," Ercale explained, making Victoria more confused, while Xain shouted, "You did this for an apple!?"

Ercale shot him an annoyed look. "No, you fucking ape! I just told you I saved this place to repay the debt placed on me because she gave me this apple!" he retorted. Victoria looked back and forth between the two of them, resembling a child witnessing her parents argue. "Excuse me, but could you elaborate?" she asked, prompting Xain to rub his temples. "Mari, the girl that went off with the black knight, gave him this apple when she first met him, and apparently, he saved your town to repay the debt for her giving him the apple, I think?" Xain explained, exasperated. While he was relieved that they saved the town, the reason for doing so just boggled his mind.

Victoria, listening to this, had an idea. "I'll give you an entire bag of apples if you—" but Ercale swiftly cut her off, stating, "No, I can tell what you want, so no." He shut down Victoria's proposal. "It was worth a shot," she sighed. Xain, wanting to move on, said, "Alright, now that—sigh—that's out of the way, I hope to meet you again sometime, Victoria." Victoria, a bit annoyed and maybe embarrassed, yelled, "Who said you could call me by my name without a title!" Xain just laughed. "Well, anyways, goodbye, Mayor Victoria," he said before heading into the cockpit of the Mark IX.

Ercale, looking down at Victoria, added, "You're 37 while he's 16; don't go falling for him, midget," as he also entered the cockpit. Victoria's face turned red from both anger and embarrassment. "Who the hell told you I'll fall for him, and what the hell did you just call me!" she yelled, but Ercale had already shut the doors, blocking out her yelling.

"What did you say to her?" Xain asked as Ercale replied, "Nothing important." Xain shrugged as Ercale examined the cockpit. There were two side-by-side seats, one for the driver on the left and another for an additional passenger on the right. A central control panel, adorned with brass levers, switches, and dials, drew focus as the hub of the steam-powered machinery. Essential instruments and communication devices were within easy reach, creating a utilitarian yet purposeful space.

Ercale, examining the cockpit, nodded approvingly. "Nice. Anyway, hold these," he said, handing Xain the apple and the artifact from his pockets. "Why did you—" but mid-sentence, Ercale touched Xain, merging back inside him. Xain felt the emptiness fill back in as his shadow returned. *I hate the fact that I like being inside you more than being outside,* Ercale remarked in Xain's head. Xain replied, *Wording, man!*

They fell back into their familiar dynamic. *Get a move on, ape, and tell me more about Veridiania on the way,* Ercale basically ordered. Xain responded, *Aye aye, captain,* before turning around in the driver's seat. He looked through the small, reinforced window to see that both Zee and Larkin had settled in. Xain grabbed a small communication device, pressed down a button, and spoke into it, "Well, well, lady and gentleman, it's your driver speaking. Buckle up, as we're ready to drive off," he quipped. Flipping a switch, turning a dial, and pulling a lever, steam released from the top of the strider's vents before they took off, finally starting their journey to Aeruna once again.

End of ARC 3.