W A R O F T H E T H R E E
Hyperion, High Queen's Chambers
With yet one more defeat in a major skirmish hanging over their heads, it was no wonder to imagine that the morale of the Machina Forces was at an all time low. Even if the High Queen provides them with a life of luxury that none of the other factions of the former Triumvirate can ever hope to achieve.
The losses they have been amassing such as the impossible defeat at Ruthria, when the Machina not only outnumbered but outgunned the enemy at the final confrontation, all the way up to the recent massacre at Arcadia, when the Blood Countess' Demon Roses made all of the Machina efforts completely moot, weighed far more on the collective consciousness than victories like that of Point Hephaistos.
Eos worried, deep in her chambers, what was the factor behind it all? Her processors calculated every possible variable but never found the cause for why the Machina fell so low.
"If this continues even the newer weapons will become useless. I must address the issue through another way," Eos thought. That was when something unexpected happened, the stoic High Queen of the Machina recalled a memory of her past, long before she was found by the Nexus' mankind, something that have her an idea of how to proceed.
This would have to wait, as Eos found her feet guiding her away from her chambers as soon as she noticed that Bastin had returned to Hyperion. As the Queen made her way to Bastion's room, she set her plan into motion, broadcasting a message to be relayed to the rest of the Machina territory by their extensive communication network.
Something unprecedented was about to happen. But before it, Eos had a personal encounter with her most valuable treasure. Such a meeting would begin with the Eos knocking on Bastion's door before walking in.
"I was... worried..." Those were first words Eos directed to her friend in a long time. Now, the stoic robot had to think on how to proceed with the conversation, leaving a gaping silence between them. Maybe Bastion felt like filling it?
"Hey, you glorified vending machine, raise up that thing's volume. There's something interesting on air," a very rude voice said to the service android that ran the bar. For most people on the relatively crowded establishment it would feel like a just one more 'meatbag' was trying to be cocky. However, those who were part of the game ran a certain alchemist not too long ago, such a voice would be unmistakable.
The news on the holoTV were relating a very uncommon, indeed a first time, event.
"... to conclude this edition," the news droid said as the video cut to the image of a gigantic concert hall, located not very far from the High Queen's palace, at the heart of Hyperion. "Her Royal Majesty, High Queen Eos, issued a message for her subjects," the droid's voice said before the projection was cut to that of Eos' bust. Some of the less tipsy occupants of the bar even rose from their seats, the mere glimpse at the High Queen's visage being enough to inspire awe on the hearts of all but the most foolish, Men and Machina alike.
"Listen to me, my Children. We know that the war has placed heavy tolls on us as of late. Even the most stalwart between you needs some rest eventually. I shall grant a moment of reprieve to all in the form of a Royal Concert. This is not a compulsory command. All who don't want to are free to ignore this call. This will be a chance not to recharge your power and ammunition but to recharge your spirits, do as your own will decrees," Eos' projection said, before flickering off. The news droid concluded his transmission just as the same message was being broadcast by every of the Machina mass communication means.
"Hah! That certainly is going to cause an uproar, will it not? Her High Majesty finally remembered that she was built as the replacement goldfish for a certain Schrodinger's Idol. Let's see where this will go," the voice, coming from a table right besides the one where Hibiki and the Tatianas were sitting, said once again. Naturally the only being who could do such a blasphemous declaration within the Machina lands was the Alchemist of Genesis, Hohenheim, whose narcissism and lack of respect for any other being were well known to many, now.
Hohenheim sat cross-legged at a cushioned chair, occasionally flashing her obnoxiously perfect smile when she wasn't eating an appetizer. Regardless of that she 'seemed' to be unaware of Tatiana and Hibiki. In all likelihood, she was feigning ignorance to goad them. The question was for what, and why Hohenheim was there.
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