[h2][center]Zeke von Genbu[/center][/h2]

Ever since the defeat of Malos atop the World Tree and the disappearance of the Cloud Sea, life had gotten [i]far[/i] more hectic than Zeke had anticipated. While Rex had achieved his dream of reaching Elysium (in a way), the combined responsibility of being the head of the Garfont Mercenaries and acting as the Driver of the Aegis meant that he was busy running around trying to help the various heads of state settle... Well, everything that had happened since then. Given that Morag went back to her brother's side and that Nia was now acting as a permanent bodyguard alongside him, it was only logical that Zeke himself would go back home to Tantal...

Or so one might think. While he had considered heading home to help his father out after leaving the World Tree, the crown prince was promptly told to 'keep up the good work in building international relationships' or something of that nature, and that his father would handle all of the issues at home. It was for that reason that he and Pandoria were currently resting at an inn in Alba Cavanich.

"Mmm... All right, Pandy, I think that's enough of that for now," Zeke said, double checking their bags and making sure that they were all as they had been the night before. "Today's an off day, right? No jobs called in by Rex or Morag?"

"No, my Prince; I mean, it's seven in the morning, so if anything was happening, I'm pretty sure that they'd send someone," replied his Blade, a smile on her face as she got off the bed opposite his. "Do you want to get some breakfast, then?"

"Well, we got Turters his meal for the morning, so I don't see why not," he replied, rolling his shoulders as he opened the door to leave their room.

Needless to say, the ruins of a city were not the first thing that he expected to see. With a bit of a pause, Zeke blinked a few times before closing the door and sitting back down on the bed.

"Pandy?"

"Yes, my Prince?"

"Did you see that just now?"

"See what?"

With a confused look on his face, Zeke watched as Pandoria handed Turters off to him before walking over and opening the door in his stead, revealing nothing more than the hallway to the inn that he had expected to see.

"Wait, no, what? Hold on, Pandy, give me a second," he said, ushering his Blade back inside and closing the door before opening it back up. This time, the ruins were fully visible to both of those present in the room. What followed, of course, was the comical sight of both Zeke and Pandoria taking turns opening the door before the pair finally decided to sit back down inside the room.

"This is... I'm not sure what to call it, actually," Zeke said, scratching his head as he stared out at the ruins past the doorway. "You think the Architect is pulling a fast one on us? Because that place looks, well... Like it's seen better days."

"I don't think that's the case here, my Prince... But I can already tell where you're going with this. At this rate, you're going to—"

"Explore it? Well, obviously; everyone else is a bit busy with their own problems, and we're really just volunteers right now, so I don't think they'll mind if we go missing for a little while. In any case, let's go and get some breakfast before we start!"

[hr]
One brief meal and shopping run later, and both Zeke and Pandoria were back in their room. With their stomachs full and gear prepared, Zeke turned to Pandoria and nodded before closing and opening the door. The ruined cityscape that replaced the hallway of the inn was a bit familiar to the pair by this point, and without an ounce of hesitation, the two stepped forward past the doorway.

"Ah... Hm. You know, it's actually a lot cleaner than the Land of Morytha... Or that place up on the World Tree, once you get a bit closer," Zeke quipped, walking around the immediate vicinity before turning around to look back at where they had entered from. Rather than see a doorway standing in the middle of a an empty plot of land, though, it seemed that the door was attached to a building that was still standing. Despite all of the derelict structures sitting around, it seemed that the one they had come from—as far as they could tell—the ruin that they had apparently exited from was still mostly intact. The only odd thing here, other than that, was the large sign advertising Alrest on the outside of the building. Though somewhat worn by time, it seemed to have escaped the worst of things.

Not that it made any more sense, of course.

"Huh. Well, that's... Odd. And somewhat disconcerting. At least it'll be easy finding our way back later; c'mon, Pandy, let's go see what else this place has to offer," he said, shrugging his shoulders before walking off to explore more of the ruined cityscape.

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