Chapter 118: Unexpected Allies at the Edax Tree of Time

Long time no see, Administrator. Hope you've been doing well...

How did you...ah, it must have been Sebastia... So you were pulled into this messed up spacetime too, huh?

Well, as you may know by now, the situation is indeed dire. The streets are full of soldiers from this "Chronos Empire", as if the people of Elzion needed something else to worry about. I wish there was something I could do...

Unfortunately, that should be the least of your worries. Our world is in the process of being devoured by a particle called a "nullon." It's only a matter of time until all of this ceases to exist.

Is there anything we can do to stop it? To save Elzion? I would do anything to secure the future of this city.

The nullons are coming from something called the "hollow clock" resting inside the Tree of Time. If we could find some way to stop it...

I see, so you know what you have to do, but not the how...

Right. The first problem is that we're unable to get close enough to do anything.

...And that is why you came looking for me.

Chronos!

I knew I would find you here, your Highness.

Glad to see you're doing well, Sebastia.

I was almost devoured by a giant edaxian, but Aldo and his friends were able to save me before it was too late.

But I'm afraid the enemy was able to overtake Grand Hades and it is now lost... My sincerest apologies, your Highness.

It's fine. We're all lucky to be alive given the situation.

The Administrator and I were looking into things. We were unable to completely release the hollow time layer, but we have bigger problems to worry about now. I actually was meaning to talk to the Administrator. I had some questions about Professor Chronos, you see...

We need to do something about the Tree of Time and the hollow clock before it's too late.

Yes, and your Synth Hydra is having trouble getting close, correct? Our ships are equipped with nullon shields, and should be able to make it through.

Then why don't we form a truce, at least until we've stopped the Edax Domain. Both of our worlds are stake here, after all. It would benefit everyone.

Your Highness, I believe our forces would be enough to stop the hollow clock... But success is much more likely if we enlist Aldo's help.

Hm... If you believe their help would increase our chances, then that is what we shall do. The most important thing right now is stabilizing the Edax Domain.

Then it's decided, you take us there, and we stop the hollow clock.

We should leave at once. I'll make sure one of our ships knows to allow you passage. They'll be waiting for you at the airport.

With me, Professor.

Yes, your Highness.

Father... I...

This is the path you chose. Walk it without regret. Life is a series of choices. This is just one of many.

......

Okay, then let's head over to the airport.

Never thought I'd be welcome on an imperial battleship...

We'll do what we can about the Tree of Time.

You have my thanks.

I did not expect Professor Chronos's plan to change history to come to this... And this Emperor Chronos and his hollow time layer...

We have our orders. Are you ready to set off for the Tree of time?

Understood. Let us know when you are ready to go.

Then please make your way onto the ship. We will set sail once the boarding procedure is complete.

Fire.

...What are you doing?! You can't...

Hold on...

It would seem the Tree of Time's defense systems are too great even for our military might. The only way to stop it is from the inside.

And that's where we come in. Mind moving this thing to somewhere we can get off?

Move the ship closer to the Tree of Time.

Scanning for a landing point now...

Okay guys, let's go.

It will not be an easy fight, for sure.

We can do this. Just like we've always done.

Yeah! If we all just do our best!

And I shall support you with all I have!

Thanks, Nilya.

No surprise the place is littered with edaxians... Perhaps that is what is wrong with the hollow clock?

We won't know until we see for ourselves, and the only way is up. So let's start climbing.

Our mission is to bring the hollow clock under control, but our squad...

Just don't get in our way.

Understood. We will move at our discretion.

Men, you got your orders! To the hollow clock! Now march!

We should start moving as well. Who knows how much time we have left.

Yeah. And there's no telling what might be lurking around every corner here, so be on your guard, everyone.

Hey, you okay?

Ah, you guys... At least some of us are doing okay...

Where's the rest of your squad?

No clue... The enemy caught us by surprise... We tried to get away, but we got split up...

What is with the monsters here... We didn't expect them to be so...powerful.

What am I saying...I'm a soldier of the Chronos Empire! I have only just begun to fight!

That's what I like to hear. Stay ever vigilant.

Good luck out there. We're gonna go on ahead.

Hey, that's...

Guilty Hades! So this is where you were!

And it looks like you're all in one piece! That's a relief.

Let me just give it a once over to make sure everything is in working order, okay?

Appreciate it, Ashtear.

What is that thing, anyway?

It's a nullgear called "Guilty Hades". The empire found it in an archeological dig and turned it into a weapon.

Excuse me, the empire didn't find it, I found it. ME. And as far as I'm concerned it's finder's keepers.

While it may be in one piece, is it truly safe to use? I worry that it might lose control like before...

I can't make any promises, but I have a feeling it's gonna be okay.

He's not just a machine, he's my friend. And I'd trust him with my life.

If you trust him, then I have no objections.

Heh, then maybe I was wrong and now we're finally all back together, right Kam?

Now let's go find the hollow clock.

Woah, what is up with all this?

It would appear we've reached the top of the trunk and now have to travel outside. The structures here look to be from the same time as the hollow clock.

And it's still here after all this time, huh...

It reminds me of Jasmond, in that it's strange, but also beautiful.

So what we got ourselves here is a shrine to some ancient gods huh? Right up my alley! The hollow clock should be close by then, yeah?

Then what are we sittin' around here gawkin' at! Let's go!

Yeah, we're almost there! We should hurry!

Agreed. But...let's not get hasty. Got the feeling this place is going to be pretty guarded. So be careful.

What's your status, men?

Well...we were able to make it this far...

But our squad got split up, and we have no idea what happened to them after...

Just hope one of those monsters didn't get em...

And as much as we'd like to finish our mission... We're too few, and too hurt to keep going...

Understood. If you run into any trouble, don't try and play hero. Find a way to escape and make sure you get out alive.

But...

Your mission is now for you and your men to return to safety. Do you understand, soldier?

Yeah, we can take it from here.

Damn... We were so close! But I guess this has gotta be the end of the road for us...

Understood, Ma'am.

We leave the rest in your hands...

Don't worry, we'll get the job done.

Here it is...the hollow clock. How are we supposed to stop this thing?

Beats me, it doesn't look like it has an off switch or anything... Can't even tell how it's moving in the first place.

Nothing in my database even comes close to this design, so I'm afraid I have no advice to offer...

With technology this old, I'm not going to be much help either...

Hmph. We just need to stop it from moving, right?

Yes, that is the gist of it.

...Do you think forcing it to stop is a good idea?

Well, unless anybody else has any ideas I'm afraid we have no other choice. We have to stop it somehow.

My world, your world, all of this is at stake!

Uh oh... I don't think it liked that.

It looks like we have triggered its defense systems. Be careful, everyone!

Then I guess it's go time. Come on guys!

Then I guess it's go time. Come on guys!

I have confirmation the hollow clock is no longer active.

Good.

We did it!

What was that?!

What? Is that...an edaxian?

No... It can't be... It's Grand Hades!

It's what?! I thought Grand Hades was destroyed?!

There is no way it survived that explosion. Whatever it is, it is no longer the Grand Hades we knew...

It looks like it's been completely taken over by edaxians!

Halt! I will not allow you to hurt my friends!

Nilya, out of the way!

Do not...get in...our way... Nilya... We will...destroy... Even if...you...are us...

Aaah!

Nilya!

Man, it's way stronger than before! Are the edaxians really this powerful?

Aldo! We need to do something quick or we can say goodbye to Guilty Hades!

Kam, how much longer can you hold out?!

Not much longer! I'm barely able to keep it from pushing me over!

All battleships, missiles at the ready. Target the Tree of Time.

Roger. Arming missiles now.

Now they'll finally know TRUE despair...

But your Highness! There are people still on the tree! Not just Aldo, but our men, too!

And they served their purpose well. When the Edax Domain is taken care of we can finally put our plans back in motion. We've already found the entry point to the ocean of time.

And that Nilya is too dangerous to be kept alive.

..."Our" plans? But what of Kamlanage?

He made his choice. Fire.

Battle stations! Fire all missiles at once!

Urgh! So it is betrayal then, Chronos?!

AAAAH!

It was about time you came face to face with death, destruction, oblivion... Without it how would you ever expect to understand life itself? Death can come for you at any time. You cannot run, you cannot hide...

...Your Highness?

Even with your sword of gold, your tree of time, your winged beast and your cross of god... You could not open the true door to paradise...

Where you failed, I will succeed. The door to paradise is MINE to open!

Well, that's weird. I wonder why?

Sebastia did say he hung up the phone in kind of a hurry... If Chronos is up there, then I could see why he wouldn't be taking guests...

But we need to talk to him...

Then let's ask Sebastia for some help. Doesn't matter if he wants to see us or not... This is our fight, too.

Hey Sebastia? Can you do something about the lock they put on the elevator? We're trying to go up to the Administrator's office but we're getting rejected.

Fine, but if you get caught, you hacked it, not me.

Okay, you should be able to get through now.

Thank you!

Okay, let's go talk to the Administrator.