The Point of No Return

He had been just twelve summers old when his adoptive father had introduced him to Legatus Basch van Gabranth and little Noah. He remembered with surprising clarity how shy both boys had been -- he perhaps moreso, because he had been old enough to understand what was going on and who they were. Lucius had knelt down in front of him, hands on his shoulders, to look him in the eyes and say, "Menenius, you are to guard Noah with your life. Do you understand?"

Menenius had nodded. In truth, he had taken the instruction to heart, mayhap moreso than he should have. And throughout the rest of his life, he never once forsook his duty -- even after graduating from the Magitek Academy and entering into military service like Lucius before him.

He had been twenty and five summers old when Noah was given control of the IVth Legion, and when the younger man was officially named Legatus following the passing of Basch, his heart had swelled with pride to see his friend gain the recognition he deserved for the invasion of Dalmasca. For thirty summers, the Garlean-borne Elezen had strove to climb the ranks after him, training with fervent passion in the art of Magitek piloting and maintenance, both to bring honour to the Lanatus family name and to stay by Noah's side.

He would have followed him through the deepest layers of hell if asked to, making it no surprise to anyone when he was appointed the position of Noah's second-in-command. Long had Menenius known of the Gabranths' dream of a new nation, devoid of class and race desparities; and while he had ever been loyal to Garlemald and the Emperors, his loyalty to Noah had and always would win out. So when the order for the IVth Legion to return to the capital came and was subsequently refused by the Legatus, Menenius did not question him, doubt his intentions, or harbor ill feelings towards their desertion.

If seeing Noah's dream become a reality meant becoming a traitor to the Garlean Empire, so be it.

Even as the Bozjan resistance inched closer and closer, from Castrum Lacus Latore all the way to Castellum Zadnori, Menenius sas Lanatus had kept Noah's dream of a new nation close to his heart, and his charge of protecting and serving him even closer. But when he and Lyon rem Helsos found themselves defeated aboard the warship "Dalriada", and the Diablo Armament -- an Allagan weapon that was supposed to have been their ace in the hole -- turned its wrath upon them...

... He found himself for once, in the moment of the laser tearing towards Lyon, not thinking of Noah or Noah's dream, or his unending loyalty to the Legatus. He did not think of his duty, as promised to his adoptive father so very long ago. No, his only thought was of the head beastmaster, of a desire to see him live. At what point had Lyon crept his way into not only his mind, but his heart as well? No, not just Lyon, but the whole of the IVth Legion, from those who had fallen to those who still labored to fight?

The seconds ticked by with agonizing slowness as the Tribunus bolted across the broken flooring, and when he reached the other, he threw his arms open wide to use his body as a shield. Truth be told, he barely registered the pain as the laser made contact, penetrating his armor as if it were mere paper in order to burn into his skin. Likewise, he didn't hear Lyon's cry when the other realized what had happened; yet he managed to turn his head just enough to give the old Hyur a weak smile.