Inside the wrecked Church of Bahamut, the makeshift tarp that took on the duty as the roof of the holy temple wildly flapped as the cold air rolled through the gaping holes from the previous battle that occurred there.
“I wish for one thing. That you’ll defend the people of this land.”
“You wish for me to defend the people of Threa?”
“Yes. Someone needs to put an end to this charade between the Gods and the Saint and Hero will do just that in the near future. But the aftermath is what I fear, when the vacuum of power is left and the end of the era of the Gods looms into this world. It needs the Dragons, and I cannot think of a better one than you who is so close to humans.”
“Ehhhhhh… how fun. I’ll see to it then. When I return to Tur, I doubt I’ll be able to concentrate my power there anyways with the Twelve Pillars of the True God weighing down me once again. I shall leave a likeness of myself here to operate.”
“Thank you. I pray to God that this world will finally be able to rest from its perilous natural cycle. I’ve been to all of the continents, for where there is peace. There is chaos. May peace finally prevail, even if it means the death of multiple Gods.”
“This is why you humans always amaze me. Hahahahahahah, yes. I shall partake in defending this world. Master has gotten attached to it anyways, and I must protect what he sees as precious.”
Bahamut then stylishly swirled around. Brandishing her dark gown in full as she passes him. The man flicks his cigarette into the ground which Bahamaut burns with her magic. “Please do not litter in my establishment.” Her nose then suddenly flares up, inside the veil. The woman smelled something. “Hmmmm… it seems that you got your information out of the Saint. Have you met her? Or is it the Heroes?” He then turns around and escorts the officer out of the Church. Not giving her an answer. “Ehhhhh, but what an interesting smell. Same one of those touched by the Gods.”
Bach leans forward onto the piano as the TV program shows the Three Rivers Fortress City completely destroyed as the UN forces marches through what remained of the city. The beautiful archaic buildings of the olden civilization of Schon are all but in ruins, the once prideful streets of the Hybrids now shredded by the threads of heavy machines and vehicles. The headlines show the glory and might of the combined army as they march onto the last part of the frontlines and finally flatten the lines to the border of Vitas. The Pianist didn’t stop as he could hear Elizabeth’s sweet deep womanly voice telling him to keep going, to keep playing with his heart as images flash before his eyes. The TV soon switches to breaking news about the CEO of Bedlam Pharmaceuticals being taken by the military.
He suddenly finds himself inside a Hospital. Awakening with debris on top of him as nurses rush to push the Gurney’s off the room as troops in Flecktarn run to the window. Quickly setting up an MG3 mounted on the window frame as they opened fire with everything they got. In return, a violent volley of heavier calibers punch through the window and walls. Sending splinters everywhere and the person in a Gurney next to him, wounded and under IV and a breather next to him takes all of it as he screams for his life. More bullets fly into their room as the soldiers speaking in German panic and one of them sets up an NLaw. One of the nurses rushes in to get the other person next to him out of the room.
Bach looks down on himself and takes the IV stand as he runs to the hallway as the room he was in explodes. Dropping on the floor, Doctors and Nurses alike are in shock as more soldiers rush in to push their wounded combatants out of the building. The ground shakes as he peeks into the large window and sees drones and fighter jets alike dropping bombs after bombs into the city. What remained of their Anti Air doing nothing but flinging bullets into the air in hopes of sitting anything before getting destroyed itself. He then runs down to the ground floor in his hospital gown as more explosions rock the buildings and he takes the rear exit. Almost getting hit by an ambulance commandeered by soldiers in Multicam and Flecktarn.
Climbing over the wall, he is met with a long road that has no life. Just ruined buildings as far the eye could see and the grayish skies were full of military aircrafts flying deeper into his country as cruise missiles zipped overhead. He looks around gripping his IV stand tighter as he runs through the debris that filled the streets with nothing but the hospital flip flops..
He’s then awakened by Elizabeth who was wearing shorts and a baggy shirt with “Partycrasher” written over the front.
“Are you fine, Mister Bach?”
“Oh, uhm. Yes. I was… remembering.”
“Here, try these on.”
Elizabeth then hands the man some gloves.
“Oh, mittens?”
“The book I bought said this is a good practice for it.”
“Hm. They look good.”
With a soft quality to them. The mittens she sewed were mid at best. Not too great nor too bad with little designs like the Crown of the Vampire Queen on it.
“What about insulation?”
“Ehhhh… seems fine. But you should add more layers to this. This could only work at lighter temperatures.”
“Hm hm hm… I need to perfect this before winter is done.”
“Gonna give one to Jackson?”
“Of course. He taught the first steps after all, it's only natural I’d give him the first perfect one.”
“Ahahahaha, but don’t overdo it alright? You seem to be the type to go beyond what is needed to accomplish something simple.”
“But of course. I am someone of very high stature. I cannot simply put mediocre effort into something many will look into… most of all if it's someone precious to me.”
“Ain’t that cute. Under all that facade of a violent bloodthirsty Queen is a piccolo ragazza.”
“Hm? May I ask what that means?”
“It just means innocent, or pure hearted like a little girl.”
“I want to make a return but at the same time, I cannot help but feel a slight gid in my stomach. I shall let it pass.”
“How long have you been knitting anyways? I can’t believe you never tried it out.”
“Of course, why should I? In all my times of living. I’ve been adventuring and commanding. Saving and taking lives. I never had the time to do it. Although I do faintly remember when I was still human I tried to learn this art but never could.”
“Oh yeah, you were human once. It's so hard to remember with how you look and act.”
“Once. But my blood and soul no longer contains any of it. The Primordial Vampire blood I drank replaced every bit of my humanity. All but remains is thou art’s memories… those that had yet to fade.”
“Memories huh… If only I can live long enough to forget.”
“Such is the mortality of humans. You can live long enough to remember things even from your youth. I wish I could have the same.”
“Heh, looks like our wishes oppose one another.”
“Indeed. But to forget is such an agonizing thing. It's slow and heartless, one day. You’ll just forget and never remember. That is why after all this, I plan on writing this all down. So that I may not forget.”
“All the while here I am, playing the piano to forget…”
“I guess my next best advice for you is not to dwell in the past. Remember when you play, you're playing so that others may see your passion and love for the art. Don’t let the past destroy such a wondrous skill.”
“... I guess so. Thank you.”
“Well, I’ll be going then. Take care.”
“You four seem to have been very busy lately… I’m guessing the arrest of Rivera was your work?”
“Hmph. Indeed, we have been. But worry not, it shall end soon. The arrest was done by Bahamut, me and the Countess were only there to collect information as ordered by My Lord… speaking of which, where did he go? It’s usual for that man to be awake at such an early time.”
“Oh, General Jackson told me he had a meeting with someone nearby. It seemed serious, I never saw him have an expression like that before.”
“Oh my, is that so?”
Inside an alleyway right next to the hotel, Jackson is talking to someone whose curvy body is completely shrouded by the shadows. But that authoritative voice of a woman was unmistakable.
“That’s all?”
The young voice of a woman echo through the alley as traffic drowns their thoughts. Her statue was calm and cool as the water whilst the General was absolutely standing at ease with his back straight up and his face not looking away from her.
“That’s all. I assume StateSec will be taking care of everything? I’ll just do the arresting and you’ll do the rest, right? My main mission after all is to prevent a possible rebellion with military power and presence. The main objective here is nearly finished.”
“Me and my agents will be doing the interrogations and the reporting. You only showed the cracks from within our group. But there’s other actors from the Underground that we need to clean up. They're the ones that opened the avenue to Zavalda for the Organization to take its root. Now we know this entire Rebellion scheme was but a wrench thrown into our gears to slow us down. You’ll need to do this fast and get to figuring out if we can stop this.”
“Alright…. Hah… you people are gonna work me to death, I swear. I’ll keep an eye out for the tip. I don’t know where it’ll appear though.”
“The fact that they're so brazen with it means they have a foolproof plan for me and everyone else. Knowing them, this is not as easy as it looks.”
“No plan survives first contact… The only reason the Organization has been able to reach this far is because we didn’t know they were even a thing till it was too late or that they had a plan of this size that involves so many parts of this city. Just like anyone, they became more and more bold as no one questioned or stopped them. All I did was know they had a plan and that was all it took for them to start taking things more seriously.”
“Spoken like a true military man. You always have something cooked up in that head of yours, don’t you?”
“Do you have any idea what they’d want from you?”
“Many things.”
“Any… idea which of those would be on the top of their list? We know we got their research on the Queen’s Vampire blood and the testing they were doing right inside our yard. What did the suits make you do?”
“As I said, many things.”
“Haaaaa… you Internal Security Types really get into my nerves so easily.”
“It’s a skill that comes naturally to any agent.”
“Well, just be careful then.”
“You should be the one who needs to be careful. You're sitting on two things that can end the world.”
“I told you not to worry about them.”
“Bahamut I don’t have many problems with. Even though she has so much power that could easily surpass the Queen, the only thing she seems to be interested in apart from eating meat is you.”
“Elizabeth won’t be captured, I already gave her the all go and she can drink as much blood as she wants as long as it's mine. She drinks the Chalice day and night, I barely even see it now unless Alana borrows it for an hour or two.”
“That is exactly what I am afraid of. We both know what she’s done. A woman like that, running around so freely. Do you know where her lies start and the truth begins when she speaks?”
“You clearly know more about her than I do. Just what did Command give you access to?”
“Enough. Just enough to draw conclusions.”
“Well…” the Jackson breathes in and out. “Bit cold… ahem. I just kinda know. I guess you can see it when she addresses you in a certain way. If she wants to speak the truth, she’ll let you know.”
“How does she let you know?”
“You can see it in her eyes. Those emerald eyes will sparkle like a normal girl and that’s when you know she’s saying the truth.”
“Tsk. As if I’ll ever get to see that.”
“Look, the only thing I can give you is my word. It's not much, but just roll with it. I won’t lie to you, her old personality is still there. Well and alive, but it's not just that now. Her humanity that she thought she long lost is also there.”
“Just be sure we won’t have another problem on top of the End Times and the Organization. It’s not good for my skincare.”
“Yes ma’am!”
“Haaaaa…”
“Oh and another thing…”
“Hm?”
“The defeats that we’ve suffered so far… under these Generals… were they pre planned?”
“Don’t go conspiracy theorist on me now, Jackson.”
“I mean… the sinking of the Super Battleship… to the battles of Eastern Schon. Those defeats never slowed us down nor hindered operations. Could it be that you have done this to spur up support from the masses?”
“And what evidence do you have?”
“Just walking around here and how everyone seems to be cool with the idea that they're at war right now… oh, the Montana Class is so famous even an Elf from the Princeps Dydares knew of it. For it to suddenly sink in a valiant last stand against a thousand Viking ships with an ancient weapon… Something irks me that this is something that is pre planned. No way can our Aviation not spot so many ships and let Eldwoods crown jewel to sink like that.”
“... … … General, you look far more formidable than your physical appearance.”
The General merely blinked and she was gone like the wind. “At least no one died.” he then turns around and enters back into the busy crowded street. Bumping into Elizabeth who has just left the main lobby. “Oh, My Lord… oh my…”
“Hm?”
Elizabeth takes a long good look at him and then squishes his cheeks. “You look awfully serious today. It turns me on but at the same time, I can’t help but feel danger.” the General just chuckles and takes her hands. “Don’t worry about it. Just talked to StateSec… ughh… I guess you’ll be off now to apprehend the Mayor?”
“Hm.”
“Okay, take good care and always pay attention to the signs and signals around you.”
“My Lord, this isn't my first time in a modern city.”
“I know, I know. Just reminding you. Is Bahamut still sleeping?”
“She was waiting right after me in the bath.”
“Alright. She did a good job arresting Rivera. All we need now is the Mayor. Get that man and finish this.”
He walks to the hotel. Hands in pocket as he smiled at her and the woman left for the city.
“Ehhhhhhhh… so they think I am less of a danger than her, Master?”
“Yup. Just shows how much they know and how little is given to us… but I guess we’re soldiers and don’t really have any use for that knowledge. I have a feeling that deep inside a bunker somewhere, someone has a full power and ranking report on us and knows who's the strongest and the one with the most potential for destruction.”
“But she does have a point, Master. The ancient bloodsucker is not to be trifled with. Out of everyone, she’s the one whose smell is the worst. It might seem flowery, but underneath it. It’s enough to snuff out your soul from its fragrance.”
“Kill with elegance… I don’t even think she has any of those when killing. When she attacks, it's more like a rabid dog. Just what do they see in her?”
“Don’t think too much about it, Master. That Morgan woman clearly has made up her mind already from what she knows.”
“Yeah. But hey! Your daily suit has arrived!”
General Paul then stepped aside and revealed a box was delivered to them. “The receptionist told me this just arrived today.” Bach then peered over the main hall of the apartment room and looked at the scene in front of him. “Ohhhhh! Should I test it out, Master?”
“You bet! Suits are usually made in a day or two. The fact that it took him so many days to make it means this is special. We have to make sure the sizes and the fitting are all correct so that we can send it back if need be.”
“Alright Master. Wait here.”
“I kinda wanna get out of my shorts.”
“Just wait there!”
The Dragon then takes the box and walks to her room. Smiling at Bach who had his thumbs up.
“Oh Bach, you're still here?”
“Yes. I’m still waiting for the Limo that is going to take me.”
“Ah, you’ll be at the concert?”
“Hm. I’ll be the intermission between The Anarchaic and that Full Dive Idol Legend Fukoa Vladimera.”
“Ohhhh. Do well. I’m sure Elizabeth’s teaching has been helpful.”
“Oh, it has been. I’ve never been able to clear my mind when playing so this is great. She has given me much advice. The only problem really is when something comes along that reminds me.”
“Just don’t think about it. Focus on what you have now, and what you're doing. Even I can get my own moments. But thankfully it is mostly at night.”
“Ah, what was your job then?”
“Soldier, Tanker, and Officer.”
“You must’ve seen much then.”
“I have. Many, many things. Drones, Unmanned Warfare, and the age of the Military Robots. I feel relieved that World War Three ended at the dawn of Robotic warfare.”
“It would’ve been better I feel like. Less people die and things are dependent on machines instead.”
“True, but I don’t know. Personally speaking, when war is done by men. You can feel it at home, you know people are dying there. Makes you think that maybe this shouldn’t happen at a large scale… but then again. Less young folks dying in the frontlines does seem great but I fear the detachment of the masses from war is already too much. More of it will make it seem like war is a common thing, you see it in the news and you go on with your day.”
“I guess… and the arrest of Mister Rivera… could you be the one behind it?”
“Well-”
Bahamut then reappears. Now wearing her formal suit. Bach and Paul’s jaws drop at the intricate detail on the lapel, having embroidered into it the design of Void Roses, the darkened eight petal Rose that exudes pure darkness and the seamless curvy suit and shirt that came with it. The inside was a glossy fabric, designed with Black Dragons flying around ready to snatch a prey and along the thorns of the suit ran from the bottom to the top.
“Man, he really did a good job with this. Even the fabric he selected is superb. This could give any suit in Dark World a run for their money. Are you sure you said it's a daily suit?”
“Is it really that good, Master?”
“Oh yeah. Man, look at you. Now having more outfits. From your gown, to the officer uniform and now, a fine suit. Coupled that with the civilian wear I bought you. Ahhhhh, you're really getting into life now, aren’t you?”
“But Master, why did it take so long? The uniform came in faster.”
“The uniform is more functional than looks. It doesn’t take much to create one since Eldwood already had specs and our requirements. But this one, it's evident he made this all hand and all love. You also just don’t have the fabric used for this in stock, which I take is some sort of a better type of Spaniucuna.”
Bach also takes a closer look and nods.
“SÌ. This is Spaniucuna”
“I knew it. I’ve always wanted a suit made out of that. Can’t believe he’d go that far, how many rolls of Spaniucuna are there even?”
“Last I heard from the textile CEOs, only about a meter or two left.”
“Sheesh. Bahamut, take super good care of it, alright?”
“Hm, I will, Master.”
“Good. Remember, fighting isn’t always about the performance. It’s also about looking good while doing it. Bespoke suits do it the best, better if it's made by a Master Tailor like him. Well, come on then. I'll be posted at your Church. Bahamut, you need to talk to the Priest there and get things straight.”
“Eh? What do you want me to do, Master?”
“You are there God. Be sure to give them as much help as they need and help around if you can alright?”
“What about you, Master?”
“I’ll be busy sorting things out, the trench lines leading to Airbase Shadilay still need some improvements here and there. Oh! I’ll also be seeing if I can send Mars to you. I think it's time for the two of you to get along.”
“Tsk.”
“I know you defeated her. But you have to get along with her alright? Don’t rub it in. She seems to be as… unique as you.”
“Haaaah… alright, Master.”
“Good, if you need me. I’ll be on the Airbase. Gotta sort some stuff out.”
“How come you and Yamaoka made up so fast? I can never understand you humans.”
“We're both soldiers. It's a matter of survival if you get along, we just kinda knew what we had to put your big boy belts on and move on. It's not like we fought because we hated each other… more like Mars made us fight.”
“Yes, that woman is truly troublesome.”
“Pfft. You sound like me when I’m dealing with either you or Elizabeth.”
“What? Mars Infernus is actually troublesome unlike me Master. If you knew what she had done back in Ancient times, you’d keep an eye out for her.”
“Also, is fighting each other's husbands a common thing?”
“Yes Master. That is a long tradition in our Kingdom. We Dragons compete for those males who are worthy to carry our child. The best way to do it was in a fight. It just evolved… rather devolved into wives letting their husbands fight each other to see who has the strongest man in the circle.”
“Oh wow… so… did I win?”
“Master, that cannot apply to the both of you. You're both humans. If it were male Dragons, the fight would’ve razed hills and fields and lasted three days minimum.”
“Awwwwww… I swear I won that fight. I felt like… like I bested him after that rumble. I ordered him and he just nodded and did as I said.”
“Heh. You are a competitive man aren’t you, Master?”
“You can’t survive the business world without that trait… well even in Officer school. C’mon, let’s hussle. Lots of work to do today.”
A few hours later, miles away on the other side of the city on a former civilian helicopter tour landing pad. An AH-64D Apache is being prepped for combat. With eight AGM-114K Hellfires and two Hydra rocket pods being mounted on its four hardpoints. The Mechanics perform a final check on the exterior, looking for any scratches and damage as two pilots wearing uniforms from the Men of the Woods Special Air Forces jumpsuits walk into the area. With their HMD combat helicopter helmets held under their arms.
The busy helipad took no notice of the two airmen. Leaving them be as everyone was so busy taking care of the landing transport choppers loaded with sandbags and other materials needed for the fortifications of the city. “Yeah! These ones are for Downtown! The Generals are going into overdrive in getting this thing fortified as quickly as possible!” Chinooks were coming by the hour. One lands, and as it emptied its cargo hold. Another would come as it took off. On the very edge of the helipad was the large Mi-26 Halo. Its huge rear doors were used to unload piles of ammo crates in quick succession.
“You two gonna take this bird out?”
They both just nodded in silence and the flight line technician nodded to them. “Take good care of her, the aircraft factories in Zavalda don't make flying trash cans, you know.” he leaves and the two hop into the cockpit of the attack helicopter. “This is Nephilim One, ready for combat patrol, Mothership.”
“Mothership copies, Nephilim One. Wind is at Five knots south, weather is calm with a bit of snow in the afternoon. Expect light traffic. Ceiling is Five zero.”
“Five knots south, calm weather with snow in the afternoon. Light traffic, ceiling at five zero. Nephilim One copies, good day Mothership.”
“Have a good one, Nephilim.”
The two powerful turboshaft engines of the attack helicopter whirls into power as torque is transmitted to the rotors and the helicopter lifts off the ground. With trained and homed precision, the pilot puts the nose down and the chopper flies just above the road as General Paul whose on the wrecked airbase gets spooked by Colonel Cresco driving a Humvee and parking it violently next to him, his blue air force uniform unbuttoned as he catches his brought.
“Sir, we might have a problem. One helicopter, an Apache Longbow, went MIA on us!”
“What? The city is literally there! Don’t tell me the radars are also damaged that badly! Just how badly did you shoot up this place? Are you sure it's not just flying between the buildings?”
“Negative sir, all helicopters are not allowed to fly into the city itself and are only ordered to fly around at above two thousand feet.”
“Damn it, get me Yamaoka, have the Shine Guards' own Colonels arrived yet?”
“Not yet sir, the Super Galaxy carrying them isn’t to arrive five hours from now.”
“Dammit, where was that rogue chopper last seen? I want you to get them there. If that strikes this base with the cargo planes still unloading, we will have a massive shitshow in our hands.”
“Yes sir, last contact with Nephilim One was near Lindin Street near the Seaside part. Should we tell the cargo planes to take off?”
“No, if we do that and they destroy the plane while on the runway, the only one that would be open is the shorter one. No, have AD up and have the Patriots and S-Four Hundreds ready to pack up and move.”
Stolen story; please report.
Another officer then salutes and walks up to the General.
“Sir, about the sewer problem.”
“Ah damn it. Give it to Yamaoka. He's the Two-IC now.”
A low flying Apache whizz by the Church as Colonel General Yamaoka with Mars arrives to meet Bahamut, who's outside talking to the Priest of the Church of Bahamut.
“Thank you Goddess, I’ll be sure to get everytihng sorted out.”
“And again, those statues.”
“But Goddess, are you sure you do not want us to represent you in such a normal form?”
“Ehhhhh… you know. That form I took wasn’t the most normal of me.”
“Goddess, may I be able to speak my mind?”
“Sure.”
“That statue is actually one of the best ones we have. You wearing a normal peasant’s clothing resonates so much with the masses. If we were to replace it with your gothic funeral gown, you’d be less seen as the friend of humans.”
“Ahhh… hmm…”
“Oy you!”
“If it isn’t Mars. Sorry, I didn’t recognize you. Your divinity isn’t what it was like before.”
“Murmurrmmurrr! I’ll have your head right here!”
“Mars no!”
As the Colonel General grabs his Dragon to prevent an altercation as the Priest looked confused at the two dashingly beautiful women right before him with one emanating some level of divinity but not up to par with Bahamut. The Apache Pilot turns off the safety and the laser guidance spins to the direction of the bridges. The tailwheel of the helicopter skimmed the top of the water as multiple Blackhawks turned to face the direction of the rogue helicopter. In absolute silence, the trained and veteran pilots change the aircrafts direction into the river. A kilometer away, the Co Pilot fires the first Hellfire missile. Hitting the section between the supports, and then a second. Prompting the players and skeletons on the bridge to make a run for their lives as the Apache flies inches above them.
Continuing its havoc, the second bridge was far to near for the Hellfire and the Pilot launches two barrages of the Hydra high explosive rockets into it. The cacophony of rockets disables the railway and the road within a few seconds. With the third bridge being a steel truss one with a train passing it, a Hellfire is fired right into the green armored boxcar which sets off a huge explosion. Blasting even the nearby windows and a shockwave that rocked the cars and the water. The boom created a huge cloud of smoke as people could be heard panicking and players trying to use their magic to stop the train and gunfire being used to try to shoot it down. But the thousands of tons of metal going at speed wasn’t going to stop even with gravity or metallurgy magic and the rumble it created as it piled up violently made everyone’s aim off.
The skeletal pilots of the Blackhawks look around for any signs of the Apache. It flies over the hardened bridge with a good view of the havoc as the freight train continues to plunge into the riverbed below, piling up the clean water with the heavy boxcars and oil from the tank cars scattered throughout the freight train. Suddenly, the lead helicopter gets rattled with 30mm high explosive rounds, destroying it mid-flight as the second one behind it fires its doorside Minigun. The armored body of the Apache tanks the rounds that manage to hit it and its autocannon destroys it with a flick of a button. The three round burst from the Apache was more than enough to turn the Blackhawk into falling scrap metal.
Appearing from the cloud of burning metal and material, the Apache continues onward as a Mi-24 Hind appears from the river. When it arrives, the Pilot could only notice the tail of the Apache disappearing into the cityscape.
“You saw that Big G?”
“Aye, I saw that. It's heading to Main Street.”
“Jesus Christ, we’re faster than it but how can we do it when its more agile?”
“I suggest we meet it over the city hall. It seems like it's gonna plan to turn a hard left soon, it just wants to dodge the AD on top of the roofs.”
“Copy that.”
On the four lane city road. The Apache flew low as the meager number of cars on the road that day made it easy for the chopper to avoid detection. It then violently swivels to the right and the Pilot tilts the nose down to the asphalt below, making it gain speed as it faces a huge building. He then levels out the attack helicopter and slowly tilts its nose up. In absolute perfection, he fires a Hydra rocket into the Antenna tower on its roof just as the Stall Warning came on. Elegantly rolling the chopper to the right, the Hind once again appears but only to see its tail leaving the scene.
“That’s bad! We might lose comms if this goes on!”
“Dammit! I love watching ZNC!”
“Yeah! Well how am I gonna watch my Japanese soap operas now?!”
“Go go go! Put this Soviet tin can into overdrive!”
The Apache then flies low once again. Nearly clipping the street lamps and traffic light as it fast approaches the police station. Panic can be seen as the players down on the ground are using a mixture of guns and enchanted bows and magic staffs to shoot it down. A vain attempt to destroy the armored chopper piloted by people who had homed the machine to their skin, as it weaves effortlessly into the complex puzzle of streets inside the Metropolis avoiding Air Defense like it was not even there. High above them, an F-15 is circling around trying to get the right moment to shoot down the rogue chopper as it continually flies near and next to buildings full of people and the continuous blockage of the structures preventing a full lock on the chopper.
“Command, just let me get low and shoot down the thing already. It's about to flank the Police Station. Any casualties will respawn anyways.”
“Negative Super One! That will still cause havoc and we cannot have that! Keep tracking from high above and shoot it down when a chance appears! What’s the situation of the Hind following it? Have they been detected?”
“Negative Command. Pigpen is still undetected… or so it seems.”
“Good. When you get even a sliver of a chance to shoot it down over the river or a park. Take it. No chances-”
“Command?!”
Down below, the multiple antennas on the rooftop of the police station are destroyed as the emplaced SAM rockets miss the chopper from how close and fast it was. Striking instead the neighboring high rise buildings and the road below. It then switches to its 30mm cannon as a flurry of angry high explosive bullets destroy the rooftop SAM Sites. Again, balls of magic and enchanted arrows with bullets fly to it from below. The entire time, the two pilots onboard Nephilim were but silent in the ordeal as they once again flew right in between some buildings. They then switch gears, aiming towards the Administrative Sector of the city to where the City Hall is directly located.
All the while, General Paul and the Colonels are having the time of their lives trying to get communications back up as they scatter Antenna trucks all throughout the city to recover what they lost and Jackson having to contact every Engineering Brigade and even Civilian Contractors they have on station to repair the bridges. Though a far cry from the built infrastructure of the city, it works and everyone is rushing to finish setting up defenses as local areas have started to evacuate without a city ordinance being even installed. As soon as the radio communications have returned, Squad Leaders to even Police Officers are screaming and complaining about everything. While the Logistics Net is on an upheaval with the destruction of the bridges making it impossible for them to cross back and forth.
Within a mere ten minutes, chaos and panic has been installed to every part of the chain of command. From top to bottom, everything was a mess and Jackson and Yamaoka were the only ones keeping everyone in some semblance of cohesion. With the Colonel General having to manually get around the city, commanding local units and making sure they have their act together.
The rogue Apache helicopter then starts popping flares in three second intervals as red alerts pop up on the visor of the Pilot and the SAM and Anti Air guns surrounding the Administrative Area take aim at them. In complete unison, a huge barrage of bullets and rockets flies towards the Apache. But the Co Pilot lifts his hand up and it creates a shield made out of fire. Making the homing missiles detonate prematurely and the ones after it going haywire as its tracking goes null from the large ball of fire heading towards and the high explosive shells fired from heavy guns below melted down into nothing even before making contact with the aircrafts skin. The Bradleys and BMPs stationed on the main road then join it, opening fire even with their ATGMs as the helicopter flies by them and then makes a violent turn to the left, hiding itself between extremely important city buildings.
One of the ATGMs and a burst from a Vulcan even hit the Central Bank Tower. Causing a small fire from its 30th floor.
But since it was the most well fortified of the entire city, guns were aimed at them from all angles and the Apache’s shield was rapidly thinning out. The Pilot then rolls the helicopter to the right while its momentum makes it go the opposite direction and with a sharp eagle eye, the Co Pilot fires a Hellfire as it enters a junction with a perfect view of the city hall. The AGM flies straight to its roof but it gets destroyed by trailer mounted CIWS. The close quarter miniguns did their job just as the chopper once again entered a junction still flying sideways but slower, this time, its 30mm rattled the roof. The antenna tower was defenseless against the high explosive bullets, collapsing it fully.
The Apache, not flying too deep within the Administrative Sector, quickly bugs out right in time as its shield collapses from the volume of fire it was receiving. It then flies low once again and its tail gets shot by something. The Pilot looks back and could see an Mi-24 Hind that has ambushed it. He then nonchalantly turns the chopper into the river where he could use his agility more. Dodging the shots of the Hind as it knows it can’t fire its rockets and the Master Caution alarm was on as its tail rotor was smoking. It then pops flares as a missile from high above near misses it and crashes into the water.
“Shoot down Nephilim right now! Its direction is to the concert! We cannot let it create chaos there! All weapons free! I repeat, all weapons free!”
Suddenly, the rogue Apache’s tail gets completely blown off from the Hinds 14.5mm tri barrel minigun and it soon bursts into fire. Spinning out of control, a woman with fiery crimson red hair and wondrous red scaled dragon wings spins in front of the Hind. Doing stunts and tricks while laughing and smiling. “LOOK HUMANS! I HAVE RETURNED! BE IN AWE OF HER GREATNESS! MARS INFERNUS!” She then threw her Greatsword, a shining blade made out of a strange silvery alloy with a tiny Mana core in the top middle of its hilt. The Apache completely explodes upon contact with the blade she threw but before she could go further with the Pilots that had ejected. Bahamut has arrived and has grabbed her by her blouse’s collar. “That is enough. Master has already called us to the Mana Core.”
“Let me go you damned Black Dragon! Look! They're about to escape!”
“Do not push me. I can retake the power you have now.”
“Tsk!”
The pilots of the rogue Apache then shoot themselves. Turning into golden dust as the two then fly to the industrial area. They could only look down at the chaos as all hell broke loose. Though since most people were busy at the concert, only a handful of people so far were panicking while first Responders had arrived at the train bridge with city workers bringing large heavy cranes and machinery to fix the mess the chopper created. Having players from many of the playable species helping out. They managed to quarantine the oil spill and the fire without much hassle and already, some have used their Dragons to lift parts of the bridge and train from the river. Arriving at the abandoned section of the port and down to the entrance to the Mana Core. Bahamut and Mars were given no questions and all blast doors were opened for them to pass.
Now underground, Bahamut looks at Mars and points at her nose as they flew straight to its deepest parts. Their Dragon wings are in full swing.
“I can smell it too.”
“This is not good.”
Arriving in the deepest part where the Mana Core is located. Their Masters were both there seemingly having a nice chat as Scientists in panic mode ran from left to right. Landing next to them, the two men greeted their Dragons.
“Master! What’s happening?!”
“Not good Bahamut. The Core is destabilized out of nowhere just like in the Three Fortresses with the robots that went haywire. It's the same thing once again.”
“No. It's not that, this is not out of nowhere. But a reaction Master. Your enemies, they have riled enough chaos…”
“Can you stop it?”
“I can. Mars, with me.”
The Red Dragon nods and the General signals for the Scientists to lower the armored Mana Core. Alerts ring out as the platform lowers. The two women then approached the ball and with their right hands, touched it and closed their eyes.
Red was all they could see as incorrigible screams of damned souls invaded every sensory they had. The fuzzy vision they had was bloodshot and a faint golden orb whose shine pierced through the hellscape that surrounds their hand as they reach into it. Punching through the endless gore of Hell, their arm reaches an open space and Rings of Blood circling the Divine Ball of pure mana. Before gunning it straight to it, they both cleansed the rings. Making them dissolve into bubbles.
They then reach into the Orb. Six more hands from the opposite direction then also reach out and they all touch it in unison. Their vision goes dim and Bahamut finds herself being held by Paul. Rocking her body violently as his face full of concern fills her eyes.
“BAHAMUT! Oh God! Please don’t do this! Bahamut! C’mon my little Dragon! Don’t do this!”
She then opens her eyes fully. Making the General see her golden pupils light up once again. The man breathed the largest sigh of relief she had ever heard. “Oh… oh fuck me… my heart was about to pop right there…. Haaaaa… that wasn’t good for my soul…”
“M-m-Master.”
“Don’t talk. BRING ME WATER!”
“I- We couldn’t stop it…”
“Huh? The Core has stabilized once again.”
“No… That was only because they found out we were here. Mars… is she?”
“Mars is alright. She woke up before you.”
“Ahhhhh… Master. This is not good.”
Yamaoka then squats next to the General.
“Mars has told me everything. There were six other Gods?”
“Six other what?!”
“Hm… He is correct Master. Six Outer Gods, two of them being Primeval. I fear that we only delayed the inevitable.”
“Yamaoka… we have to do it.”
“General Evacuation?”
“General Evacuation. We can’t do anything to stop it now… Oh Jesus… they bought enough time…”
At the Concert Hall, players can be seen as far as the eye could see. Elizabeth and Alana with their own entourage of highly armed soldiers escort them through the crowd. But everyone was too busy dancing to the hip hop tune of Anarchaic. Two men and two women singing and dancing in perfect unison as they let out a barrage of words in quick succession. In the sea of rave, no one noticed the soldiers in multicam making its way to the backstage where the Queen grabbed someone by the collar.
“Where is the Mayor?”
“He should be in the back of the Concert Hall inside the Police Command Truck.”
“Alright, Alana. Take two squads with you and flank around the stage.”
“Hm.”
“Thank you Zavalda! I know things are hard with the Martial Law in place! But know what we, of Anarchaic wishes for the best and only for the best! Thank you again!”
A piano then comes into play as the stage spun around to show a man wearing a Victorian Nobleman’s attire wearing a white wig. “Wait, stop.”
“Your Majesty! We cannot wait!”
“Shush.”
Playing the grand piano with great softness. Bach played with everything in his control, his intention showing and his emotion felt. The man was playing the piano like how it was meant to be. With grace, elegance, and beauty to the tune it's producing. Sweet melodies then filled the stage and the entire street where thousands of players were. Everyone lifted their phones and whatever light magic they had and swung it in unison to the man playing.
A Mi-28N Havoc then flies near them. Making him open his eyes to look up and see the attack helicopter. Being the same make and model that ravished his once beloved city. Elizabeth’s eyes then squinted. “He's getting distracted.” and now, his tune was producing pain and loneliness, with sadness filling the souls of the people. The blonde woman then walks to the stage to everyone’s surprise and sat next to the man. Since she was in her purple royal gown, the woman looked the part as she took his share of the keys and played the piano alongside him.
“Haaaaa… that’s her Majesty for you. Men, let’s go.”
Alana then takes all the squads of player soldiers assigned to them with her as they divert to the left, Elizabeth on the other hand played the piano with Bach. To his surprise, she was playing it to his speed, as if she was only there to back him up. “Do not be afraid. Let the past be the past. Right now, you must share your happiness with everyone. Let this Nocturne fill their hearts with your happiness rather than with sadness.” He smiles and suddenly, he speeds up once again and this time with a more upbeat tone to his playing as everyone just looked at the golden blonde woman, whose mere presence was eviscerating everything that was ugly and painful to the world. Her beauty was astonishing, even more with the spotlights now trained on her as she gracefully played the piano.
Alana was then taken by a Squad Leader to the scaffolding around it and got a full view of the thickest part of the crowd. Tens of thousands were squeezed into a single block. As the current performance was going into full sling. Before they knew it, the two was done. With Bach and Elizabeth performing a graceful bow. The stage once again spun around and a voice enters the ears of everyone. People go crazy from hearing the voice of the woman. The Queen then looked at Bach and bowed to him on the backstage as an angelic songstress without a microphone took the helm. “I must go now. Be careful with yourself. We Vampires cherish our music for it's a reminder to us that eternity can also be like a song. It has its highs and downs, but without an end. A sweet song that will continue till the Star that lights up Threa is snuff out. Play with glee and play with your happiness. Do not let the eternal past cloud you.” Elizabeth then opened her bat wings before the Producers could get close to her and up to the scaffolding above joining Alana and the players.
She then looked forward, facing a Squad Leader who was pointing at the exit to the back as his head twisted by an invisible force and the soldier behind the man switching to his pistol but it gets grabbed and a suppressed bullet headshots him.
“I WASN'T JEALOUS BEFORE WE MET.”
The Idol Legend Fukoa Vladimera sang the famous song by ABBA in a slow and observant pace. With her powerful voice reverbing all over the place as she sang to control everyone’s attention and her pale beauty captivating everyone. Wearing an angel like smooth white gown, she was there to not only impress but to make sure everyone looked only at her. As her eyes sparkled and gleamed as the crowd danced to her tune.
“NOW EVERY WOMAN I SEE IS A POTENTIAL THREAT.”
The soldiers then protect Elizabeth as they charge forward, letting the woman observe quietly what’s happening right in front of her. The soldiers didn’t falter at the unknown enemy, keeping their heads calm as they knew what was happening below them.
“AND I'M POSSESSIVE, IT ISN'T NICE”
As the third soldier was about to get gutted, Alana drags him out of harms way as a bullet flies to her and the woman dodges it without effort. “Ah.” Looking to the rooftop, the teenage Vampire could see one of the SWAT Operators with a suppressed M21 SWS is taking potshots at them. The Countess revealed her bat wings and steahtlhily flew to the SWAT Operator. “Is it only you?” a crack was then heard as she dodged another bullet. “Of course.”
“YOU'VE HEARD ME SAYING THAT SMOKING WAS MY ONLY VICE”
Alana then grabbed the sniper rifle and pushed its stock into the head of the SWAT Operator, knocking him out as she used his body to block another incoming shot. Throwing the bleeding body of the Officer, she eyes the other shooter. Hidden on a balcony of a skyscraper.
“BUT NOW IT ISN'T TRUE, NOW EVERYTHING IS NEW”
The sniper moved his head out of the scope to confirm his target just vanished like that. A Blood Rose then falls next to him and his Observer who was sitting prone next to him with a telescope just looked at his eyes as the man was grabbed and dragged out of his sight. With a fast hand, the man pulls the receiver to let another round in the chamber and he swiftly rolls to his back just to get beheaded by a Vampiric sword. Before his head could hit the sidewalk below, the man's body turned into golden dust.
“AND ALL I'VE LEARNED HAS OVERTURNED, I BEG OF YOU”
Down below, a player pushes Elizabeth out of the way as he opens his palm and a burst of magic comes out of it, revealing the invisible Operators that were attacking them. With a devilish smile to her face, she materializes her AutoMag and points it at the one closest to them. But she doesn’t pull the trigger just yet.
DON'T GO WASTING YOUR EMOTION
The hundreds of stage lights attached to the scaffolding blinds anyone who tries to look up to the skies and into the battle occurring on top of them. Leaving only dancing and color changing rays for anyone to see as bullets flew right above them, clouded in the lights, drowned by the angelic singing of the Idol. Elizabeth didn’t dare use her guns and only used her hands and blades to saw away at the infiltrator while the players had no choice but to switch to their combat knives. Alana, who finished killing the fourth Sniper, gets shot once again and her eyes instantly turn to the player riding on the Police Bell 206 helicopter. “Oh shit…”
“LAY ALL YOUR LOVE ON ME.”
As she sang the line with a blazing tone and feeling, the player’s eyes widened seeing the fact that he is a kilometer and a half away from her and was riding on a chopper, the last thing he could see was the .50 bullet going through his scope at the peak of the Songstress’ voice. As they go crazy on the low and deep voice of the woman totally hitting the note and the reverb hitting levels not yet seen, the length and strength of the delivery just sent shivers down everyone’s spines.
“Ohhh, what a song. Boy, where to next?”
“On me ma’am.”
The 2nd Squad Leader takes the lead as Alana returns to them.
“Beware, another invisible man is watching you right now.”
“What?”
“What? Just keep calm. He knows I am here and I am fully aware of where he is. He seems to be battling to either fight or flee.”
Her eyes follow a pint of blood that’s attached to the man's invisible form. She’s then led to the rear of the concert hall. The remaining invisible operator chose to not attack and let them pass. “Ma’am. Squad Three and Four report there already in the back.”
“Make haste then. We cannot let the Mayor wait for us. That is a rude gesture to a lower Noble.”
Jogging, the backstage crew gets spooked by the squad of soldiers escorting a woman in a purple gown with extremely long golden blonde hair and another in a red gown and of younger appearance. “Mister Mayor… where could you be?” The Squad Leader nods and they slam into the back doors. Swinging it open and spooking SWAT operators there. A situation between the two sides immediately develops and Alana, not wasting time forcibly takes the Mayor who was about to get into his armored limo as a stand out occurs between the Police with the Mayor’s Guards and the Army. Elizabeth, who sees that the Mayor has been captured, walked forward and put her hand on her hip.
“Put your weapons down, I’ll assume you people do not know what it means to point a weapon at a Noble. Back off now or I’ll spread your gore in this very area.” hearing her threat, the Cops and Security Personnel kept their guns up as the Squad Leader went into his radio.
“You can’t do this! I require a conversation with the Guild Leaders immediately and a lawyer!”
“Shush. Your life has forfeit. All you are now is someone who knows something we need. Neither a Mayor or someone who has something else to say.”
“Release the Mayor!”
“Do you want to truly die? I believe you're all surrounded too. Better not fight and ruin such an occasion, can we not?”
An Apache then arrives with two Mi-17MTVs in two. The transport helicopters immediately opened their doors and rappelled a bunch of soldiers in. Completely surrounding them. Seeing the odds has fully turned into the favor of the enemy, the SWAT and Security Personnel lowered there weapons and put there hands up./
Alana lets the Squad Leader go and gag and bag him. “Your Majesty, shall we just take him to the airfield?”
“Hm. It's too dangerous to go through the skies… and the land.”
“I did see the attack from the skies, shall we use our wings instead?””
“He must’ve backed off knowing they’ll be two of us. Tsk. I hate it when they're smarter than they look. Sergeant Geram.”
“Ma’am!” The Squad Leader salutes to Elizabeth. “Return to base. I’ll be sure to put in a good word for your work.”
“Of course ma’am. Thank you for helping us in that mess back there.”
Alana then spreads her bat wings open, grabbing the stuffed Mayor by the collar and takes off with Elizabeth close behind her. They quickly arrive at the airbase on the outskirts of the city and there, a crane is hoisting a truck with its antenna and radar dish parts up into the rooftop of the ATC building as vehicles are pooled in the thousands at the tarmac and skeletons in formation ready to be sent into action. The Colonel on site looks at the two Vampires carrying the Mayor. “Alright, move out all of you.” The skeletons marched to the vehicles and crewed them as the soldier saluted the two Vampires.
“Take him.”
“Roger. I’ll have him processed. High Command has a lot of questions for you Mayor. I’m sure State Sec will have fun with you.”
He removes the gag, letting the Government official talk.
“This is crazy! Let me talk to a lawyer first!”
“Sure. Want a Pizza with that?”
“Oh, the General is already inside. He's in the ATC, looks like something is developing and we're ready for mobilization." The two beautiful women then proceed inside the ATC building as the Colonel then takes the man to the Barracks. Outside the Air Control towers meeting room the two Dragon girls stood with their arms crossed. Looking at each other intensely. “Excuse me, What’s happening here?” Alana just facepalmed at the two Dragons staring deep into each other's gaze.
“One cannot let their eyes off of another Dragon that can take them on. You must always be ready to pounce if needed.”
“And our Lord?”
“Master is inside with General Yamaoka.”
“Are we allowed in?”
“Yes. I’m just out here because Master said we can out stare at each other in the hallway instead of inside since we were ruining the mood.”
Alana just sighs and walks in first. Checking in on the busy meeting room with multiple maps and charts scattered everywhere and the desks full of radio comms. Yamaoka is the one nearest to the door and is talking to someone who is in a visibly noisy area as through the frequency, it carries not only his voice but the sound of wind and mechanical noise.
“Hai. Get everyone here immediately. It's the General’s orders. Collapse all previous lines and form up on the area marked on your map.”
A hundred kilometers away, a Captain in BDUs is riding an open top Humvee. Watching as Modern Guild Armies drip from all directions as a huge formation is only getting bigger by the moment.
“Copy that sir. We’ll get everything sorted out. The Men of the Woods will be the first to respond. I’ll be patching you over to him. Out.”
“This is Colonel Quentin, I got you copied Command. I’ll be leading a convoy there straight up. Seems that Lieutenant General Henry Wilkins callsign Yankee-Four is gonna respond himself. We’ll be wasting no time.”
“Thank you. I am sure his time is precious, but we’ll need every help we could get.”
“No worries sir.”
The Colonel riding on a 5 ton truck looks at the passenger side mirror and sees the huge column of military vehicles preparing to move. After a few hours, the convoy was rolling through the night and the Field Officer is looking at his map as he looks out for the lights of the city.
“Dammit. Are we near?”
“Not yet sir.”
“Seriously? We’ve been driving for almost a day now. Jesus Christ. This is why shampoo’s need instructions. Are we lost?”
“If we are sir, then it's going to be a headache.”
“No shit. How are you going to make a sixty kilometer long convoy turn around? Dammit. Yankee-Four, this is Cardinal, what’s the situation on the lead vic there?”
“Cardinal, Yankee-Four copies. The situation is clear, we’re on the right track. We’ve just gotten some directions confused but we should be there in the collection area in an hour or two. Dirt tracks meant for carriages don’t make for good roads.”
“Copy, as I’ve been rang by Command multiple times now. It has happened, and they need us there.”
“Roger that Cardinal. We’ll be pushing the vics just a bit more than usual then.”
A High Ranking Officer in BDU’s with epaulets on his shoulders fixes his Aviators as a sea of armored vehicles and transport trucks are collecting themselves in an open field. “Ah damn it, and there’s two more armies that're going to arrive?”
Outside the meeting room, Bahamut and Mars kept their eyes on each other. The soldiers and staff passing by just awkwardly sneaking looks at the two Godly women just staring down at each other as if they're waiting for one to make a mistake.
“Just how did you escape the grave I built, Mars?”
“Hmph. I am not as easy to kill as you’d imagine. Not all Dragons become Gods through war and fighting. You were foolish to think I could die just by your mediocre ways.”
“What? How can you say that? We are Dragons, we were bred and born to conquer and fight.”
“Hmph. Look at you Bahamut. Even after getting with a human, you still haven’t changed. You should look well past what the Elders have taught us and know that in this form, none of that matters.”
“I will never leave those teachings. Whether in Human or Dragon form. I will uphold the Culture and Traditions of our ancestors. Albion didn’t die for this.”
“Let the damned Platinum Dragon rest. We owe everything to Albion, yes, the God of Dragons. But that doesn't mean we should carry the burden forever. I am proof of that, I became a Dragon God not through fighting but by giving and helping.”
“Your proof is the proof that even cowards can become Gods.”
“Are you still angry at me for not helping the Kingdom in the Great War of the Isles?”
“The Lizards brought down our flying homes, destroyed countless cities and monuments. How can someone like you stand idly by and watch?”
“Oh don’t act so valiant. You only went there to fight. I know you, Bahamut.”
“And I know you, Mars.”
Silence once again looms over the two and Yamaoka opens the door and peeks over to the two. “Mars, hanii. Please try to be friendly.” Bahamut on the other side could be seen smiling under her veil at the sight of the blushing Mars. “Thomas… I told you not to call me that.” the man just smiles and shrugs as he closes the door once again.
“Pfft… Honey huh?”
“What? How is that bad? You literally call Paul, Master.”
“Hey. Don’t cross the line. Don’t refer to Master by his first name.”
“See? How is that not embarrassing? Aren’t you the Dragon God that brought down six great Elders? Yet you are now calling a mere human, Master.”
Bahamut’s hands collapse into a fist and General Paul opens the door and sees her all angry. “Bahamut, come on. Don’t be like that. I’ll give you lots of hugs and cuddles later alright? Wanna buy steak? We’ll get some. Just don’t start a fight.” The door closes and Mars chuckles at what she heard. “Cuddles… pfffft… and hugs…?” she then flicks her finger and the wind suddenly blows over the veil of the Black Dragon, revealing her cutely blushing pale face.
“H-Hey!”
“So how did you meet?”
“I… I was just bored. Being the Void was boring, so I thought it’d be fun to return to Tur but in a more limited form. My plan was to just follow and spectate the person who summoned me… I just forgot that humans have the tendency to pet anything that moves.”
“What did he do?”
“Master hugged me… he squeezed me tight and called me cute…” Bahamut’s face then suddenly turned to the right, looking at the wall to hide her beet red cheeks as her right hand held her left arm.
“T-That’s all? Pffffttttt….”
“W-Well! How did you get with Yamaoka?!”
“Oh… it was such a sweet story. A valiant Knight in gleaming armor. Of great heroics, saving this maiden in peril. It was at my grave that he saved me from an eternal sleep.”
Inside a complex labyrinth. Thomas was busy on his player menu. Watching the chat go by.
“Alright! That should be the last one.”
“Finally, we can end this three month expedition. Yama, shall we?”
“Of course. Have the frontline be filled with experienced players, divide it into two parts with the rear being made up of our new recruits.”
“Yes sir!”
There, inside the gigantic tunnel were the Shine Guards and their Knights and Grunts. The few hundred players prepare to open the large door and gain access to the main room of the labyrinth. Yamaoka looks over to the huge door with intricate detailing on its stone like appearance. With many of it showing Dragons fighting and bones near the bottom.
“This feels more like a grave than a reward room.”
“We should still continue. Three long months my friend. Let us get it over with.”
“Yeah, and I wanna go back to peacekeeping anyways. Did you hear? The Kingdom of Keyneth made an alliance with Breznick. Does this mean those two are planning on taking on Libertus?”
“You shouldn’t dwell too much on ingame politics. It's just how it is with any large group. They fight and conquer each other till nothing is left. Come.”
Wearing the shiny heroic armor of the Shine Guards, Yamaoka dons his helmet as a Mage presses the button and the door swings open revealing a dark room with a strange path that was a bridge of sorts. One of the players stepped in and with a torch, lit up the sides of the only walkway they had and below it was an endless drop. He then makes a final announcement on the Guild Chat that they are finally entering the last room as he sweeps to the Inventory tab and takes his Longsword. Built of holy metal, the blade shone like the light of an angel in the dark darb place.
Walking in, the front formation was full of Veteran Knights with tower shields and behind them was a line of Knights with halberds and the other one behind it wielding swords. The new recruits had the same formation but were only wearing flimsy grunt gear like chainmail and leather with most of their equipment being made out of normal steel and wood. A far cry from the frontline which was stacked with good equipment and even enchanted ones.
Suddenly, a plate depresses upon being stepped on by one of the Knights and the room is lit up. Everyone’s jaw just dropped at the sight before them. “What… now?” before them was a completely intact skeleton of a mountain sized Dragon sitting on top of a giant pile of treasures and rare items. All four of its limbs were chained and one large one over its neck. Forever tying the Dragon down to the ground, unable to spread its Godly wings to touch the skies and be free.
“W-woah… Scholar!”
“Wait! Wait! Give me time!”
The player with glasses and a holy blue robe skimmed through his book as he tried to find any answers to what was before them. “Frontline! Continue!” The lone hole that opened above them was dropping soil as the Sun of Tur lit up the giant corpses. The closer they got, the more they felt as if they were about to climb a mountain that was fully chained. Yamaoka was the first to step foot into the final resting place of the Dragon God. Sitting on a platform suspended upon an endless depth. “Okay! Everyone! Watch for traps! Go!” The Grunts and Knights then dispersed as they started to rim the surroundings.
Even though the Dragon died balled up, with its head sitting on its tail. It still took them hours to fully go around the skeleton. While waiting, the Scholar walked up to Yamaoka and the Shine Guard Captain with him, both in their bulky Knight armor.
“I think I know who this is!”
“Who is it?”
“I think this is Mars Infernus. Look here.”
He then shows in his book a map of possible locations where Dragon Gods had their final fights. “We’re here in the Great Mounts of Eastern Darnarc right? Well, if we go to this page.” turning to a page a bit far, his finger points at a sentence. “And thus, the Dragon God of the Void was once again victorious against its fight. Defeating the Dragon God of War, Conquest, Fighting and Victory after ten long years of nonstop fighting. Its body laid to rest in a special grave built by Bahamut and her followers in the Great Mountain of Yerptew.”
“Wow… so this is a Dragon God huh. Yama, can we maybe move this? I’m sure the Mages in Centrum Magia would love to have this.”
“It is better to let the dead stay as is. We mustn’t disturb them. The Mages Association would only defile this magnificent beast.”
“Ah, here you go again with that Japanese stuff. C’mon, just imagine if this is paraded in Starter Continent! This could go viral in YouTube, Twitter, Facebook-”
“Captain.”
“S-Sorry sir.”
He removes his helmet and just smiles at the lower ranking knight. He then starts walking to the giant head of the Dragon. Its jaw alone is fifty times his height. Looking up, the huge sleek back facing horns of Mars seemed to be the size of skyscrapers. He then reaches out his hand and prays. Suddenly, visions come to him. “Release me from my shackles.” was the one thing that kept repeating. Letting go, the man's eyes lit up and he started walking around to the giant chains tying the Dragon’s skeleton. The lynchpin alone of the chains was the size of a hotel.
“Sir!”
“Help me! Everyone! Get your weapons and prepare to destroy them!”
The players immediately went into their menus and selected their weapons.
“Sir! Look at how thick those things are! They have to be at least four hundred meters in thickness alone. We cannot destroy those!”
He punched it and the lynchpin of the oblong shaped chains shook. “Whatever magic was used on this has long degraded it. Even our weapons can shatter it. Isoge! Isoge!”
After attacking the chains multiple times, it did indeed shatter and the players started going around attacking the other ones till the skeleton was fully freed from its shackles. The entire labyrinth then rumbled and they could hear the roar of a mighty Dragon God emitting from the endless depths below the platform they stood on. Everyone quickly crouched and hugged the floor. It suddenly stopped and the Knights of the Shine Guards checked the recruits who were well shaken but still standing strong. Even after all the dust and shaking, the armor of the lawmakers of the Community was still shining and gleaming as always.
Yamaoka then walked to the treasure pile underneath the skeleton of the Dragon and reached his hand out.
“Yama? Yama! Don’t touch that!”
“Chotto… matte…” some of the coins then collapse and a small red dragon appears. With his hand already reaching out, he pets the volcanic dragon and it responds with a smile and a low continuous growl. “Hah! Everyone! We have a new member of the Air Corps!”
“Hm?”
“Shhhh! Quiet! Did… did you just speak?”
“Yes. I am Mars Infernus! The Great Dragon God of War, Victory, Conquest! Heel before me humans! For I have returned! The shackles that damned Void Dragon has finally been shattered and I can once again flap my wings and be free!” Yamaoka stopped petting Mars as she kneeled before her. Seeing their Top Knight make such a gesture, the rest of the Shine Guards expeditionary force also kneeled before the small Dragon. “O-Oy! Continue doing that!”
“Hm?”
“The thing with your hands! Continue it!”
“You mean… petting?”
“Yes, do more! It reminds me of when my Mother would groom me when I must but a youngin’!”
Yamaoka chuckled and smiled. Reaching his hand out once again to pet Mars. The small Dragon balled up and let the man take her into his arms. “Come on everyone, I think this is the gift for clearing this Labyrinth.”
“Sir, I think the gift here is the money and the enchanted weapons. I think some of those are Ancient ones. The Mages Association is gonna have a field day here.”
“No. This is totally it.” Mars was already sleeping as he continued to pet her. Though her scales were just as shiny and armored as Bahamut’s, its red color was far more pleasing to the eyes and her spine wasn’t spiky and intimidating. But rather small and more akin to that of a chameleon. Her sail was more kind to the hands and to hugs. “I’ll allow the Mages Association but they aren’t allowed to touch the skeleton. I think someone will be mad if we were to do anything to it.” He looks down on the sleeping Dragon. Smiling happily at it.
“Whatever you say sir. Are you gonna submit her to the Air Corps? Looks like you already gotten attached to it.”
“I might just keep her. I never met a Dragon so small that could speak. Scholar Braticus, can you identify if this is truly Mars?”
The player got close to the sleeping Dragon. Flicking his glasses as he sniffed the dusty air of the ancient labyrinth.
“Uhhh… yeah. A small version.”
“Wow, a Dragon God huh.”
“Don’t expect much though. From the looks of it…” he then reaches his hand out and opened his palm pointing at Mars. “Yeah, her stats is just a bit above average of that of a normal True Dragon… she isn’t gonna raze mountains and lift entire continents like the crazy lore stories in YouTube.”
“I don’t care for that. The fact that we freed her from her shackles alone is more than enough for me. But I think I can get used to having a little friend to aid me every now and then.”
“She’s also not little. Looking at her stats, she can Morph into a larger form like any other High Level Dragon. She basically came out already as a max level. If your willing to waste time, you can grind to make her a bit more powerful. The other example we have of this is Bahamut.”
“Bahamut? The Void Dragon?”
“Yeah. A player had unlocked her from the Chinese New Year event last year. Everyone thought he’d be the next problematic one since he has a Dragon God for a companion but her stats weren't as magnificent as it was made out to be.”
“You seem more sad about this than I am.”
“Well you know… the Devs have this thing with power scaling. They give us all these crazy things but not even a fraction of their power and strength in ancient times of Tur. The only redeeming quality I can see from Mars is that she has a Passive Skill that’ll buff your strength and speed for every three seconds in combat. The longer you go in fighting, the stronger you, Allies, and she herself will become.”
“Does Bahamut also have the voice of a woman?”
“From the PDF file the Mages Association released on their website, yes. She can mimic a voice of a woman in her late twenties and a note was put that it felt very motherly.”
“Should I go and also have Mars checked?”
“It's better Yamaoka. You know the big tower we used to defend right? The one where it's a huge library and research center?”
“Ah! Hai! Magia Centrum!”
“Go there. They have a Dragon Department and they’re also willing to pay handsomely for anyone who is going to submit a Dragon they have yet to add to the Community Compendium.”
“When she awakens, I’ll go and talk to her about it. I don’t think Mars has accepted me as her friend yet.”
“Just be warned. Dragons are known for their unique personalities. The older ones can be akin to a walking time bomb.”
“Heh, I think I can handle Mars.”
“Alright. Captain! Can you tell the recruits not to touch any of the potions! I swear, are we hiring fourteen year old kids who bypassed the age requirement clearance?!”
“And that’s where it all began. After that, me and Thomas went to the tower and got me checked.”
Bahamut was nearly about to doze off when the story finished. “Is that so? Haaaah… how long are they going to be inside that room?”
“Yeah… seems that the humans are going into panic knowing what is upon them.”
“Heh. Have you no faith in your human? I do. I am not worrying, Master always has a plan up his sleeve.”
“Look at you… I never imagined a version of yourself right now.”
“Heh heh heh. Of course, I am the Great Bahamut after all. Not even the Elders could stop me if they wanted to. I’ve fought everyone and everything and came out on top! That is me! The Mighty Void Dragon!”
“No, I meant I never knew you could do something else than fight and become stronger.”
“W-Wait! Hey! I can do many things aside from fighting! I am a Dragon! It's natural for us to master many other things!”
“Uh huh.” she flicked her finger once again to reveal Bahamut’s face. “Yet you can’t wear more makeup than what you have right now? Look at me. Since I know humans like pretty things, I go out of my way to put on a bright red lipstick to compliment my red hair. What about you? Looking for a Gothic Funeral always?”
“W-Well, Master did give me a purse of personal effects. I only use the toothbrush and toothpaste…”
“See? How come you never learned such things? Your Master would appreciate you more if you put more attention to your looks. I know by human standards we are the dream woman they never knew could exist. But by Dragon standards, you are missing a lot.”
“Wait… to Dragons I don’t look good?”
“More so… mediocre. Dragons in human form have an entirely different set of standards than your average human. Doesn’t mean we mimic their form that we’d completely forget of our better and far more superior standards in looks.”
“Eh?! Eh?! Eh?! How come I never learned of this?!”
“You are the last one I expected to don a human form. No worries, since you’ve entertained me enough. I shall teach you! It looks like you already know the basics anyways. Teaching you the rest shouldn’t be that hard.”
“What? I don’t need your help! Stupid Red Dragon! I know two Vampires that can perfectly aid me in this department.”
“The standards of Vampires are different from the standards of Dragons Bahamut. Tsk tsk tsk, haaaah…. And you look so pretty too. Skinny yet stacked. Humans would fawn over such looks but you’d rather wear such dark clothes that cover your entire body.” Mars crossed her arms and smiled with the corners of her lips curled into a devilish shape. This sends the Black Dragon into a fuming state. Her hands trembled and closed into a fist once again.
“Grrrrrrrrr… you're on! Hey you!”
A passing Sergeant gets stopped by Bahamut.
“Y-Yes ma’am?”
“Get my personal small bag and bring it to me!”
“E-Eh?”
All the while, inside the Meeting Room. The two Generals were looking at each other. Their hands were both on the table with green army toys meant to represent the Infantry and Mechanized and Aviation units inside the city.
“Look, I don’t want to get into an argument again about this. If things do go awry, I will and WILL allow the destruction of the city.”
“How can you say this? Isn’t our objective to defend the city? If we allow our Aviation and Artillery to raze it. Then how different are we from the people we say are barbaric?”
“I get how you Shine Guards work. I can never thank you all enough for your help. In all my times of traveling in the Dark Continent with Bahamut. It was the Shine Guards that preserved the roads and infrastructure in that hell hole. But things are different here, if we lose the Industrial Sector, we’re basically cutting twenty five percent of our arms production.”
“Jackson, can you hear yourself right now? Weren’t you a survivor of World War Three? YOU should know better than anyone that it's way harder to rebuild than to destroy. We cannot and should not target civilian buildings. No matter the context put to it. People will return there one day and we cannot just destroy it.”
“Jesus, this is like the fourth time already. AGAIN, I will allow it. Buckle up boy because this is how a real war is done. Don’t you think I tried to avoid not bombing and destroying civilian structures? It's not as easy as it looks. When that place is killing tens of mine, I don’t care if it's a daycare or a hospital. It's getting blown up.”
“Ah! I can’t believe this. You people are all the same. Generals playing with the lives of the masses.’
“Excuse me?! You dare use that on me? After all I’ve done here. Tsk, now I am being called the big bad General? Just because I am willing to push the envelope for the sake of the rest? You Shine Guards need to get your head out of the gutter. This isn’t a full dive fantasy game anymore. OUR TICKET HOME IS AT STAKE. I will not allow some wishy washy thought of preserving buildings just because people worked hard to build them to stop me from doing what is needed. THAT IS DONE.”
“Gah! This is insane. I can’t believe I’m part of all this now.”
“It's about to get better.” General Jackson then breathes out and calms himself out. “I’ll buy a barrier. How about that? We won’t destroy civilian sectors unless they're being used to an extreme degree to commit attrition to our forces. How about that?”
“That feels like we’re just going to put a handicap on ourselves. If we're gonna commit then let’s commit. I am after all a subordinate to you. I have no final say.”
“But I respect men who voiced their opinions on things I cannot hope to see value in anymore. You are correct, but at the same time. I cannot let those structures be used in nefarious ways. If needed, I am more than willing to bomb the City Hall to ashes. But since you are adamant about it… fuck… I’ll put a barrier to our RoE.”
“And that is?”
“Unless this structure is being explicitly used to destroy our troops to a high extent. I won’t have it destroyed. We have the respawn altars with us anyways. I just can’t shake the feeling that this will become a more uphill battle.”
“Just remember Jackson, things are also different now. We’re not on Earth, you have to use the resources you have on hand to make sure that city stays intact. Because if not…” Yamaoka then stands straight up and extends his hands out. “How different are we from the people we’re trying to stop? You know what they have done. Two times did the cities they infect with corruption end up destroyed and razed. In the Shine Guards guild, we have a saying. Do not be like the others, be the exception to the rule.”
“This is batshit insane you know that?”
“It is, but then again. Are we here to save the people or ourselves?”
Hearing this, the General backed off from the table and went silent for a few seconds.
“Haaaaaa…. We are here to save the people.”
“Good. I know we didn’t come here to rescue the city but to rescue the Industrial part of it. But we’re humans, and we should be the best versions of humanity to show to our… non-human friends that we’re more than what they know us of.”
“Okay, okay. You got me. No destroying civilian structures.”
“Thank you. But please, don’t let my kindness cloud your more grounded look. I believe you have a talent, Jackson, in knowing what has to be done. I won’t be angry at you if you go back on this promise. After all, as you said. We are at war.”