Xenoblade Chronicles 2: The Fourth Driver

Book I Finale

Chapter VII

     "What the hell is wrong with you?!" I yelled at Cereza, in reference to the events that had transpired earlier.

     "Oh look who finally grew a set and said something to me!" she giggled at me.

     "What did Poppi ever do to you?!"

     She giggled again. "Listen hun, you'd better sleep every night so I can torment you or things will get worse for you personally. Understood?"

     "I'm going to beat you," I threatened.

     Her expression went serious. "Oh? And how do you intend on making good on that threat?"

     "I don't know yet, but it's going to happen. You will lose," I said.

     She walked up to me and began poking me in the chest, hard. "Who do you think you're talking to big boy?" She poked again and I kept stepping backwards until I was against a wall. "You're not even close to on my level. Or have you forgotten? Maybe I should remind you....." She grabbed her whip and lashed me about twenty times as I screamed before I woke up in pain.

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     "Chap! Are you ok?!" Zeke was shouting at me. It seems Cereza didn't let him wake me up this time.

     "I-I'm fine," I breathed heavily. I attempted to get up, but upon getting on my feet I fell over and passed out.

     "He should be all patched up now," I heard Nia say as I got up drowsily. Everyone was standing by me.

      "Ugh, I feel like I got beat with a two by four. What the hell happened?" I said.

      "Looked like it too," Mythra added.

      "You were covered in lash marks and a bruise on your chest. What happened?!" Rex asked.

      I almost threw up, but held it in. I regained my balance and stood up, the healing finally finished. "Cereza happened. Apparently she can do damage to me in my sleep."

     "How is that possible?" Brighid asked.

     "Her core crystal is unlike anything I've ever seen, it looks like it even absorbs light. I imagine her dark element isn't just dark," I said.

      "Enough theories, we need you to be skilled first. You still good to train?" Mythra asked.

      "Mythra...." Pyra started.

      "Yeah, I'm good. Rex, who am I sparring with today?" I asked, I was ready to kick some butt finally.

      "Oh um... I was thinking Poppi and Tora! Fighting a defender might be a good ide—" Rex said.

      I cut him off. "It is, I'll take on Mòrag and Brighid instead though." Tora and Poppi seemed to understand why, but Rex wasn't taking the hint.

     "Oh? Why? I don't see how that—" Rex started.

     This time Mòrag cut him off. "Oh? Think you can take me, can you?"

     "Absolutely. I wanna feel what it means to take on the Special Inquisitor of Mor Ardain," I challenged.

     "And what makes you think you can handle a duel of this capacity?" Brighid asked.

     "How about we cross swords and maybe I'll get it through your head then?" I was ready for a fight.

     "You talk a good game boy," Mòrag drew her swords. "Now time to back up those words."