Chapter 43: Search for Parts

Deros

[Meanwhile in Retra- Realm of Technology]

I surveyed the ocean below as I flew to the next closest city. Shortly after leaving Vyran and Varia, I went to the town closest to mine, only to find it taken over by the Titanos. Was my planet already entirely captured? No, there had to be a citadel left. A place where I could find parts of Vyran's Valkyrie.

The wind whipped past me as I soared through the sky, my wings cutting through the air with practiced ease. The landscape below was a patchwork of cities amid sprawling fields of flora, a testament to the technological prowess of Orginal. But it was also a world under siege, the iron grip of Titanos slowly tightening around us.

I scanned the horizon, my eyes searching for any sign of a safe haven. The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, but the beauty of the scene did little to ease the knot of worry in my stomach.

I flew over several cities, their tall, gleaming structures now marred by the ominous symbol of Titanos. Each sight was a punch to the gut, a grim reminder of the enemy's advance. My heart ached at the thought of my kin, their lives upturned, their freedom stolen.

But I pushed on, the image of Vyran's Valkyrie in my mind fueling my determination. I had promised to find the parts needed to repair the powerful mech, a promise I intended to keep.

Finally, after what felt like hours, I saw it - a city still untouched by Titanos. The buildings glittered under the setting sun, their polished surfaces reflecting the light. Relief washed over me, replacing the knot in my stomach with a glimmer of hope.

As I descended towards the city, I felt a surge of apprehension. Although it seemed safe, I couldn't let my guard down. I had to stay vigilant, aware of any potential threats.

I landed on the outskirts of the city, Aegisa's wings folding neatly behind me. I hide Aegisa amid the dense forest and made the rest of my way by foot.

The city was bustling with activity, its inhabitants seemingly oblivious to the war raging outside their borders.

The sight was bittersweet, a stark contrast to the desolate towns I had flown over. But, it also reminded me of my hometown, moments before Titanos had taken over. Were the people of this town also hiding their heads in the sand?

I made my way through the crowd, my eyes scanning the shops and stalls for any sign of the parts I needed. Assuming I hadn't gone off course, this city was Romeroa. Romeroa was known for its advanced technology, its markets filled with all sorts of gadgets and machines. If I was going to find the parts anywhere, it would be here.

After a few hours of searching, I finally found what I was looking for - a small shop tucked away in a corner, its shelves filled with mechanical parts.

The shopkeeper, a grizzled older man with a cybernetic eye, gave me a wary look.

"What do you want?" he asked.

I frowned. This guy needed to work on his customer service.

I cleared my throat, trying to keep my impatience in check. "I'm looking for parts for a mecha," I said, keeping my voice even. "I was told I could find what I need here."

The shopkeeper's one good eye narrowed, and he leaned forward. "A mecha, you say? That's a tall order. Those parts aren't easy to come by, especially not with Titanos breathing down our necks."

I resisted the urge to glance over my shoulder. The mention of Titanos was enough to make anyone jumpy. "I understand the risk," I replied. "But it's imperative that I find those parts. The Valkyrie may be our only hope against Titanos."

I held out a detailed list of the parts I needed.

The shopkeeper studied the list for a long moment, his cybernetic eye whirring softly as it focused. Finally, he nodded. "Alright, I might have what you need. But it won't be cheap, and it won't be quick. I'll need time to gather the parts without drawing attention."

I nodded, understanding the gravity of his words. "Do what you must. I'll pay whatever the cost."

He grunted in acknowledgment and turned to rummage through his inventory. I took a step back, giving him space to work. My mind raced with the possibilities. If we could get the Valkyrie operational again, we might stand a chance. We might be able to push back the invaders that threatened to conquer our worlds.

As the shopkeeper worked, I turned my gaze to the window, watching the city go about its business. The people here were still free, still untouched by the war. I made a silent vow to do everything in my power to keep it that way.

The shopkeeper's voice broke my reverie. "I've got some parts. But not all. I made a list of what I need to find. Come back in three days, and I should have everything ready for you."

"Thank you," I said, offering a nod of gratitude. "I'll be back."

With that, I stepped out of the shop and back into the crowd, my mission clear and my resolve stronger than ever. The Valkyrie would fly again, and with it, hope would rise.

As I walked through the bustling city, the weight of my mission pressed heavily upon me. Each passing face served as a stark reminder of what was at stake. The people of Retra, my people, were counting on me. I couldn't afford to let them down.

I spent the next few days in Romeroa, blending in with the locals and keeping a low profile. I stayed in a small inn on the outskirts of the city, spending my days in the markets and my nights poring over the schematics of the Valkyrie. I studied every detail, every component, ensuring I knew exactly what was needed.

As the third day dawned, a sense of anticipation filled me. Today, I would collect the parts and begin the journey back to Vyran. I made my way back to the shop, my heart pounding in my chest.

The shopkeeper was waiting for me, a large crate by his side. "Got everything you need," he said, his cybernetic eye glinting in the morning light. "Took some doing, but I managed it."

I thanked him, my gratitude genuine. "You have my thanks, sir. You've done a great thing today."

He shrugged, his gaze distant. "Just doing what I can to help. Titanos won't win. Not if we have anything to say about it."

His words resonated with me, echoing my own determination. I paid him generously for his efforts, hoisted the crate onto my shoulder, and left the shop. As I walked away, I couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. We were one step closer to defeating Titanos.

I made my way back to Aegisa, hidden in the dense forest. As I approached, the mech stirred, recognizing my presence. I loaded the crate onto Aegisa, securing it tightly.

Taking one last look at Romeroa, I mounted Aegisa. With a powerful beat of its anti-gravity wings, we took to the sky, leaving the city behind.

As we flew, I looked down at the crate, the parts within crucial to our victory. Not all were for Valkyrie. I had also included some for Aegisa, to upgrade her. There was much work to be done, but it had to be done. We would repair the Valkyrie and upgrade my Aegisa. Then we would return to Varia and Vyran's world and gather a fleet to retake Orginal.