^^ Daedalus ^^

--- Wren's POV ---

I sighed, and rubbed my temples. "Whatever. Mad Max. Forget you heard that. And Mei? Stop informing people of things. What if he hadn't known a thing, and here you are spouting off details about a Coup de tat, and I'd have to kill him or lock him up forever. Whoops, that wouldn't work, because he can walk through walls! See where I'm going with this?"

She nodded morosely.

"For future reference, you do not give out details about secret things, okay? Not your secrets to tell. An example would be if I told him what I know about you. Is that my place? No. would you be angry? Ye-... well, you'd probably be more embarrassed than angry, but has my point been made?" I asked.

She nodded again. "Sorry."

"Hmph. Anyway, lunch is soon, and I'm famished. Max, you hungry enough to eat with me? They serve free bowls of rice five days a week, three times a day. Ha!" I chuckled.

He grinned. "Me? Rice? What do you think?! Let's go!" He leapt out of his bed, and grabbed his bag of potions.

Mei noticed our bags were identical, and blinked. "So... you two really did know each other a long time ago."

"We've known each other since we were... six? Seven?" I hummed.

"No, five. Remember, your mom knew my mom, and we met when we were five, that once... then we met again after your dad died. Then finally started living together when you were nine." He spelled it out.

"Ahhh, you're right. Yeah. Been a while. And the bags are something given to us by my mother." I explained.

She blinked. "Okay... interesting. So whose bloodline are you from?"

He laughed. "You don't recognize me, Cousin? I'm the only son of Tadey and Rin Gong-Hui." He smirked.

She flinched. "Oh... sorry."

"Sorry? What for?" He blinked, confused.

"I didn't know your family was..."

"Excommunicated? My father Beheaded by your mother? Yes. I have no grudges, unlike Wren. My father deserved his punishment, but I'd have liked to still live in my house, which your clan is so comfortable in now." He said dryly.

"Wait, so your name isn't Max at all, is it?" She blinked.

"When we were excommunicated, we were forbidden from using our birth names of Gong-Hui. My name was Takeo, but I changed it to keep us safe from assassins who would try to kill us after we left, simply because your family had the power to do so, now that they ruled my home of Gong-Hui." He frowned. "I'll probably change it back now, because we're mostly safe."

She straightened the rumbled seams of her robe, and he nodded. "Let's get some rice. Rice always helps me get over guilt."

I laughed and slung an arm over his shoulders, pulling him out as she sat there, confused. She followed meekly, and I picked them both up, leaping over the edge and simply soaring on my outstretched wings towards the dining hall.

---

As I was eating my rice, a man with black metal coating his arms walked in, looking around. He found me with his gaze, and meandered around the room, before sitting down next to me, eating a bowl of rice.

I hummed. "You must be Daedalus." I said softly.

"Correct."

"What needs doing? I'm aware I owe you a rather large favor for filling my order so quickly. What is it?" I asked, looking at my rice.

"A Flock of Dragons has roosted near my island. A tiny island, their nest... and I own it. I want to give it to you, if you'll move it away from mine or exterminate the dragons. Your choice." He placed his satchel on the table, seemingly looking for something.

A slip of paper fluttered down into my lap, and I left it there until he pulled out a pepper shaker, and spiced his rice, replacing it and eating quickly. Then he walked away quietly. I read the coordinates, and burnt the slip of vellum. I looked at Mad Max. "Ready for a little vacation?"

"With you? Always." He grinned.

I nodded. "Eat up. You'll need some extra strength soon."

"I'm coming to." Mei nodded.

"You're not invited, darling. This isn't a social call. This is business, and... honestly? None of yours. No offense, but you've got no idea how to read people, and your negotiation skills are horrid. Also, I can't let you know where we're going." I shrugged.

She blinked. "Oh. It's a secret mission?"

"Not necessarily, why?" I asked.

"Because everyone in this room heard that entire conversation."

"I'm aware." I nodded. "And everyone here, unlike you, is minding their own business." I said clearly, and several people chuckled.

She huffed and crossed her arms. "So rude!"

"Mm. Now. Mad Max, eat up." I bought a second bowl of rice for both of us, and devoured mine. He was also quickly finished, and we stood, saying bye to Mei and walking out.

---

Once at the docks, I sat on the end, waiting for the Bastard to come back. Max sat against my back, and watched the Core. "You know... it made me wonder, I think, what you were living like up here while I was in that cave... but not much has changed, hmm? We're just pulling a long game, and you're faking being a Noble."

"The longest there is." I agreed.

"Do you have any... designated survivors?"

"Oh yeah, it's not a genocide long game. No. I have a short list of those who have to suffer. That list is very short, don't worry. All nobles. Maybe ten, at the most. Possibly the Council, but that's debatable. Depends on several factors... mm." I assured him.

"Ahhh. I see. And this... Daedalus? What's he do?"

"He makes weapons. And bionic limbs. Those arms of his? They're not armor. His arms were cut off a long time ago, so he made more. With machinery. Connected to his cerebellum. Creepy, honestly. He's as physically strong as Arthur on her normal days, but nowhere near as fast." I hummed.

"Obviously." He chuckled.

"Obviously." I agreed. My ship came into sight. "Aha! There's the Bastard now! My ship." I explained.

He grinned. "I remember. So where are we going?"

"A little Island near Death Valley." I shrugged.

"Whoa... will we see any Sirens?" He asked excitedly.

"Yes. You'll even meet one. Talk to him, work with him." I grinned at his perplexed look. The ship docked, and I leapt aboard, grabbing him. "Okay... Mad Max, meet Captain Günter, and Max... the other Max. He's the Roanokian I told you about. Anyway. Then there's Sam, John, Lothmik, (he's a bit cranky, so ignore him,) and the rest of the crew will likely introduce themselves. I trust these men implicitly... and what the fuck are you doing here, Elena?" I sighed.

She grinned. "Learning the ropes!" She leapt out of the rigging, and landed directly in front of Mad Max. "I've heard a lot about you from my cousins letters!" She grinned.

He looked at me, and I grinned. "Meet Gale Elena, my 'Cousin'."

He nodded. "Nice to meet you."

"And I'm here to, if you missed that." Ryan leapt out of the riggings, and hugged Elena.

Mad Max sighed. "Always the pretty ones..."

Günter bellowed with laughter, and pounded on Mad Max's back. "I like him already!! alright, boys! Let's go, get a load on for Daedalus's keep! Unload our cargo, why do I need to repeat myself!?!?"

They rushed to get to work, and I took Elena and Mad Max to the bridge, while Ryan helped unload. "Alright. These coordinates. We're going to latch onto the island, and move it to a midway-point between all five archipelagos. Does such a point exist?" I asked Günter.

He nodded. "Yeah. Death Valley. It's already there, but if ye want, we can move it till it touches the water... Oi! Max! How would yer mum respond to us parking an island above her?"

"She'd probably get pissed." He said simply, and went back to work, rolling ropes with tiny grumbles of hatred for the task.

"Whys he always rolling rope?" I asked finally.

"He lost a bet. Now he has to roll rope like that for... five more months? Technically he's my first mate." Günter grinned.

"Alright. So... what about this island that's connected to the ocean floor? Gategüt, right?" I asked.

He nodded. "Something like that. If we parked it above them, they'd be overjoyed. Even more cover from the Council Patrols."

I nodded. "Then that's where we'll put it... but low enough it's in Maritime Waters."

He grinned. "Aye, Boss! I love Maritime Laws anyway!"

"What are Maritime Laws?" Max asked before I could stop him.

Günter laughed loudly. "BOYS! WHAT ARE THE MARITIME LAWS?!?!?"

I covered my ears, preparing.

"FUCK THE COUNCIL, FUCK THE KING! FUCK THE RULES AND FUCK THE LAWS!! SAIL 'N SWIM 'N FUCK YERSELVES SILLY, CAUSE DOWN HERE, THERE AINT NO BILLYS!" The sailors roared, laughing, and I sighed.

"Do you have to do that every time?" I sighed.

"Yes." Günter nodded simply.

"What's a billy?" Max asked me quietly.

"Slur for a Council Dog, or Patrol. Beat Cops, basically, but with God complexes, because they report directly to the Council, and they don't really have any rules of engagement." I said dryly.

"So they're Water cops. Got it." He grinned. "Why does the Maritime Area not allow them?"

"They're not allowed in the Maritime Area, which is anywhere lower than 1,000 feet above the ocean. The actual maritime laws state that no person can be attacked, arrested, or expedited, so long as they stay out of the Council's 'Waters', which is the air between the Islands, from 1,000 to 5,000 feet." Günter explained.

I nodded. "Exactly. So, smugglers like us really love the Maritime laws. And also, there's a speed limit on all Council Waters, but not in the Maritime waters. Last but not least? There are no Laws in Maritime Waters, whatsoever. We could outright murder someone, and there'd be no repercussion... well, from the law, anyway." I grinned.

Mad Max hummed. "Interesting... alright. Let's go tow an island!" He grinned, rubbing his hands together.

"Indeed. I'll have to kill off the dragons, first, but that'll give us a good amount of organs to sell. And if there's any eggs, or baby dragons, we can sell those too. Do we have a buyer for baby dragons and eggs?" I asked Günter.

"That we do. Uruk Island is always buying." He laughed.

I nodded. "Of course they are... We're always killing their stock, after all... then let's get moving, we only have 16 hours."

---

"Island sighted sir!... and the Dragons have seen us too! Ready Armaments, captain!!" The lookout screeched.

I shook my head and leapt off the ship, activating my full armor. Four dragons were flying towards us. I drew my sword, and created my armor, then pulled it into my skin. Finally, I made a sword from one of my feathers, and darted at the dragons, scratching their wings and making them turn and follow me.

I flew above their island, and took stock of the dragons. '32 in all... 'small amount' my ass... '

I dove into one Dragons mouth, and decided to take the recourse I knew worked, cutting into the chest cavity, and then ripping its heart, before clawing my way out. As soon as I left it's mouth, it crashed into the island, dead.

I cracked my neck, shook the hot blood off of myself, and went at it again.

---

Soon enough, perhaps five hours later, 30 adult dragons lay dead, and two were pregnant, and giving birth. I waited until they fully gave birth, and then slew them as well, then began absorbing all the dragons into my sword, except the six baby dragons in various stages of toddlerhood, and twelve eggs, plus 32 sets of organs, which Günter and his men got busy collecting.

They dropped off their cargo at Daedalus's Hold to empty more space, receiving several giant jars for the organs, plus several large cages, and I got to work setting the hooks into the foundation so we could haul the island.

Günter plotted a course along the magnetic curvature, so that the island never dropped into the ocean, taking us with it, and we started off.

I took a dip into the ocean to get the lingering blood off of me, and then sat on the deck of the ship.

Mad Max grinned. "You just slew 32 dragons like it was nothing."

"34 dragons slain in my life so far. I'm doing pretty good!" I laughed.

"Hey, were your wings supposed to change color?" He asked.

I hummed, my eyes still closed. "If they're turning golden, just ignore it."

"Uh... okay." He hummed.

Günter laughed. "See, boys? I win! Pay up your bets, ye rats!"

"You bet on me?" I opened one eye.

"We bet on everything." He shrugged.

I closed my eye. "True."

---

We parked the island above Gategüt, and lowered it until it was below the 1,000 foot threshold, but with a part of the mountainside at 1,000 just so we could park there and still be within our Maritime waters.

The people of the island immediately greeted us with open arms, and we discussed terms of trade, soon establishing a trade route to get into the island, and also buying high-quality Rails from them.

I drew up plans for a city with the spare time as they secured the island, weighing it properly.

I decided I wanted a dome, but figured normal Rails weren't enough. After all, this would be where I stuck people I didn't like...

I grinned, getting an idea for a way to have a little bit of both. The collapsible roofs would fold back like a lotus, and then from flower back to bulb, and the entire structure would be made of Rail Metal... making it nigh-impervious to both penetration and also escape.

The giant amount of Rail also gave me an idea... stories of roving islands also helped. I drew up plans to build Rail Rings on all sides and the bottom and top of the Island, allowing me to direct more energy to one part, and move the island slowly.

Elena saw my... relatively basic drawing, and scoffed, snatching my sketch book, and drawing a much more picturesque version.

I snatched it back. "Yeah yeah, you're a good artist... shush. Go bother your woman." I snapped.

She grinned and patted my head. "It's okay to say I'm better than you." She said sneakily.

I snorted. "Yeah right. That's never happening. Shoo." I waved her off.

She laughed and shrugged, skipping away merrily. "If you say so~!!"

"I do, I do say so. Hmph." I grumbled, and growled at Mad Max when he laughed. Soon after that we were on our way, but I'd left the new plans with a Rail Maker on the Island.

When I'd asked why he lived among the trash, he laughed, and claimed that his makings always took place on a grounded island, on account of them shaking the magnetic fields.

He'd agreed to make me the Rail City and Machines to move them, as well as the Rail Circles that would move the island, all for a massive price I didn't want to think about. I promised him, instead, half of the proceeds of my Auction of the 32 Adult Dragon Organ sets, and the babies and eggs.

He readily agreed, and then hustled me out so he could begin work. I'd already memorized the materials in his lab, but they are pretty common... he snapped at me to leave, and I sighed, but left.

---

"May I ask where you've been?!?" A loud, obnoxiously proper voice asked behind me.

I turned, and grinned. "Ah! Lord Ira! My apologies. A friend of mine had a problem with dragons. 32 fully grown dragons had nested on his island, you see. So I exterminated them for him. I truly didn't mean to make you wait, Milord." I bowed my head.

"32? Marvelous! And I see you're a Golden Knight now? Well done!" He nodded.

"Indeed. Next Saturday, however. I will not be late or absent, of that I assure you." I nodded.

He smiled falsely. "Thank you. I accept your apology. Now, I myself am a bit interested in buying those eggs of yours..."

"These? Ah. Well, they are for sale, but they're going in the auction that takes place tomorrow... well, I'm sure I could slip one for you, as an act of good faith." I nodded. "Günter, please select the dragon egg you think will grow well, and have someone deliver it to wherever Lord Ira bids."

He nodded and pointed to one. Max picked up the egg like it was nothing, even though it was the same height as a fully grown man, and four times as wide. He set it aside, and then carried the rest to my shop, one by one. Then the cages, and then the jars of organs.

He relaxed on the ship, and I looked at Ira. "Good Day, Lord Ira. I have an Auction to set up."

"Indeed. Good day, Sir Polisavich." He nodded, and a few of his men loaded the egg into a wagon. They departed, and I smirked. "You gave him the bad egg, right?" I asked.

"Nah. I gave him a good one. No bad eggs in this batch anyway." Günter shrugged.

I hummed. "Damn... I was hoping for a runt, but I suppose it's fine. Now. Elena! You like Auctions, yes?"

"Ha! Indeed." She blew on her black nails theatrically.

I raised an eyebrow, and hummed. "Well, at least no one will ever suspect we're directly related..." I muttered. I cleared my throat. "Alright. Well, we need one. And quickly. Tomorrow is Sunday, the last day of freedom before classes begin again."

"Easily done." She jogged off, towing Sam and Max, and I looked at Mad Max.

"We need a new name for you. I'll call you Taki." I grinned.

He glared at me. "Don't you dare."

"Come along, Taki, my mind is made up." I laughed, and ignored him when he kicked me. I looked at Günter. "We need to get to Council Island. There are three people I need to meet, and do so quietly."

"The auction will cover it up well, if we say you were preparing or retrieving materials. Alright. Let's go." He said, and boarded the ship.

We followed, and Mad Max growled. "Don't call me Taki. I'm not wearing a grass skirt for you or anyone else."

"Ha!" I grinned. "That'd be funny, though. What about... nope. Taki it is. Close enough." I shrugged.

He sighed and rubbed his temples. "Whatever."

"Okay. Everyone? Meet again Taki, my little friend." I poked his cheeks, grinning.

"Stop your annoying antics and tell us where we're going." He sighed.

"First, to see your mother. My healing capabilities have increased several times over. I may be able to increase her chances of survival, at least. Then we go see the Son of Old Man Yamamoto, and the Daughter of Lord Paladin Pantera." I nodded.

"For what purpose?" He asked slowly.

"To take their Sigils. Yamamoto's son doesn't want his, and Pantera's daughter is weak and feeble. I'll heal her if I can, but if I can't, I'll just take her sigil." I nodded.

He blinked. "You can do that?" He asked quietly.

"I can. I tried it myself. I can also give sigils, if the recipient has the magic, and empower them. That's my Gift. Of course, I can't give myself other people's sigils, unless they're directly connected to mine, wherein I simply empower my own. I figured it out while I was training with Pantera." I grinned, remembering that period of training and screwing at random intervals. He was the perfect playmate, in all the aspects of the word.

"And... what happened?" He prompted me to go on.

"I accidentally took his sigil, and then gave it back, stronger than ever. I told Arthur we trained for a year... but after I empowered his Sigil with my Magical Energy, we spent close to a decade fighting in his mind. Every day was a year."

"Why so long?!" He asked, shocked.

"Turns out it's a lot harder to become a Knight than I thought. I'll have to train with him a lot more if I want to get stronger as fast as I have been. Absorbing all those dragons rose me up a rank in raw power, but I still need refinement. My skills need work before they're decent, much less Paladin level." I laughed.

"Sounds like you need to train with Arthur in that setting, eh? A Year as a day? Ha! You'd get stronger much quicker." Günter nodded.

I hummed. "True... but anyway. Let's be off."

"So what happens to the sigils you can't absorb?" Taki asked.

I grinned. "Good question. Depends on what they are. At the moment, I'm just putting them on pieces of Gems with Rail inside, and letting them steep. I'll find a use for them. I already have something in the works for the Attack Sigils."

"You do? How?"

"Daedalus. He builds things for me. I, myself, am simply the frontman for his tech. See, remember how his arms are robotic? Well, he hired an assassin to kill the bastard who chopped off his arms. This got him blacklisted by the council and their Marketing Sector. So, he's my employee, and I sell his creations, which are remarkably intricate. The new tech will go to him, and he'll build things, and I'll sell them. Simple." I nodded.

Taki laughed. "Your plans are never simple. I'm sure it's a lot more complicated than that... I'd guess Shady Jack got you in touch with him?"

"... He did." I frowned.

"Alright... that makes sense."

"Hmph... anyway... let's go see your mother, ya ungrateful bastard." I grumbled.

"Sure, sure." He shrugged.