(Concluding Kav's duel with Rose, another Otopican friend named Ring appears. The twins introduce themselves and Ring informs them of some updates on Terranova and his underlings. They arrive to the GB&P for these updates, alongside some debriefing, all together at the counter while Owl tends to random customers.)
Kavita: Soooo Ring, what are these updates?
Ring: Pyrus has reported that 3 of Terranova's servants, with one of them being this Vexas he's been hunting, we're responsible for the killings of 3 hunters. Unrelated report, but there's also a girl missing for nearly a year, with her last sighting being the Widowing Woods.
Kavita: *lightly quivers upon the mention of Widowing Woods* Widowing Woods?! Oh my...that place is....terrifying. But out of curiosity, does it have a sliver of anything to do with Terranova?
Ring: Well, first I admire the intel this planet's hunters can catch. It's rumored the person, or this thing responsible, has some connection to Terranova.
Ainotias: Swell...uh..great. Another enemy in our path to slaying that "tyrant". Correct, brother?
Saitonia: Yes.
Ainotias: Any more on his "servants"?
Ring: Ummmmm-
*The bar doors are aggressively pushed open, revealing Pyrus as he approaches the 5. A satisfied expression is on Ring, eyes widened as he is about to greet him.*
Ring: Oh, Pyrus! I was just about to mention you.
Pyrus: Ring. Were you now? Is it the 3 hunters?
Ring: Well yeah.
Pyrus: Surely you've been saw that report. No-good Vexas and this time, she's tagged along with some friends, well even more this time. Saw her with a whole different set of friends last time.
Ring: I swear you have a thing for her. You've been "hunting" her down for like a year. Is she your ex-girlfriend or something? *chuckles*
Pyrus: *sarcastically* Oh, fuck you, Ring. I caught her killing a few Otopicans and she has successfully evaded me in our encounters.
*Cat giggles, causing Pyrus to turn his attention to her and give her a goofy stare.*
Pyrus: What's so damn funny, you?
Cathera: You know, just saying, Terranova has other servants too, not just "Vexas".
Saitonia: *to Aino* I have no words to what was said here.
Ainotias: I do not too.
*Owl just watches and listens on while serving drinks to other people.*
Owl: Oh and Pyrus, those twins are the eraser and obliterator I told you about yesterday.
Pyrus: *turned towards the twins* Oh yeah, Owl did tell me about you, well as much as he knew. I especially feel bad for you obliterators. Cause of Terranova, y'all will just be viewed as the more fishy ones. It's quite racist to think.
Ainotias: *slightly raising her voice, but not yelling* Terranova sla-.."killed" our parents and sent us a thousand years to this current time. So we are very against that "tyrant".
Pyrus: So chronologically, you'd be over a thousand years old? *shocked expression* Wow! Seems like you won't look 1000 years old physically, but you 2 look as young as Cathera here, and she looks like she just got into high school.
(Kavita: I doubt that. Terranovians age much differently from normal humans.)
Cathera: Pyrus, I'm 20.
Pyrus: *even more shocked* WHAAATT?! You never told me your age, so I assumed, and how the hell are you even allowed in a bar when you need to be 21 and-?! *lowering his voice* Ohhh. Drinking age is 20 on this planet. That's when Terranovians are classified adults. Agh, I forget Terranoviatia, Otopica and Earth have a lot of differing customs.
Cathera: Maybe not that different. Most of us Terranovians refuse to do "adult stuff" until we hit 21, and I'll be 21 in November. I've never been interested in the alcoholic stuff because 1. I think most of them have a very odd scent, and 2. I don't like feeling airheaded. It messes up my sensing ability.
Kavita: If I'm remembering astrology correctly, you're on the 15th, so a Scorpio.
Saitonia: Ehhhh, anything else on this "update"?
Pyrus: Oh! Yep. From the intel the bounty hunters got, the other 3's names are "Eriela", "Hytras", and the "leader" of the underlings is Serox.
Saitonia: You could also focus on this "Serox".
Pyrus: Maybe Ring could. I have history with Vexas.
Ainotias: Kavita, do you know anyone else within Sakrisen?
Kavita: Oh yeah. We got an eraser and obliterator within our friend group as well. Come of think of it, we should split up, that'd be a very stupid-ass decision if we were in some horror movie, but in this case, the process of gathering up our allies would be faster and easier.
Saitonia: It will be me, Cathera, and this "Pyrus". Sister, you can take Kavita and Ring with you.
Kavita: *swiftly getting up off the bar stool* Let's get to it then.
_________________
(Terranova's lair, Vexas, Eriela, and Hytras are standing around within the lobby, probably waiting for an order from Terranova, or they have been ordered a task, but are just not doing it at the moment.)
Eriela: *complaining to Vexas* Auuuuugggghhhh, I wanted to go hunter hunting. He really gave you the fun tasks, and I just sit around here, guarding the lair. No! Nope! Nuh-uh! Nada!
Vexas: *chuckles* You excel in stealth, but I would assume is because you can also be quite loud, especially at the worst times, Eriela. Maybe Hytras could do better, maybe not.
Hytras: Better at what? Stealth? I'm a genetic brute. We're not made to be stealthy, we're made to be tanks backed by raw strength, delivering mass destruction.
Eriela: Ehhhh, yeah, yeah.
*A sultry, but also throaty female voice comes from the darkness of another room: "Bad news, Vexas; looks like someone was watching you." A hand reaches out, displaying a red orb showing Pyrus watching Vexas, Ronin, and Dr. Titan killing hunters from yesterday.*
Vexas: *scowling at the orb* Him. You can come out, Shizaki.
*This "Shizaki" emerges from the darkness, revealing a Japanese-Terranovian watcher with long, silky black hair, a black right eye, and a red left eye that's covered by a red eyepiece. Watchers are a subspecies of Arckyvines that have heterochromatic eyes, can summon orbs, mainly used for spying or observing their surroundings. They are required to wear an eyepiece to stay stabilized. Shizaki wears a long-sleeved, untucked shirt with these red lines forming some odd symbol, with a rather small, black poncho with the same red symbol on top. Slim, dark gray pants, and medium, black boots with glowing red details.*
Shizaki: Indeed. This Pyrus is tailing you beyond universes, you should really find a way to trap him and counterattack.
Vexas: You're onto something...
Shizaki: And I can explain more.
__________________
(Sai, Cat, and Pyrus have embarked on their task to locate some of Cat's and Kav's closest allies, as they have long exited the bar, walking the streets just blocks down.)
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Saitonia: Cathera, do you happen to find it odd with the number of beings Kavita knows?
Cathera: Ehhh, not really, ah well, it depends. The people she's familiar with, I'm familiar with as well. She tells me when she's met someone new.
Saitonia: Are they also against Terranova?
Cathera: Heh, no need to ask if someone's against him. Dude, majority of this planet despises Terranova. He's historically one of the most hated figures, maybe as hated as the top Exomordus Fiend; Dyavolo. This planet wants both dead, but Pyrus here, he'd rather choose Vexas.
Pyrus: *scoffs* Ugh, you had to throw me out there?!
*Unnoticed, Bop watches the 3 from the shadows. He then sneaks behind Cat and pokes both sides of her abdomen, startling her as she flinches while turning behind her.*
Cathera: Bop?!
Saitonia: Oh it's the cat thing.
Bop: *chuckles* You couldn't even sense me.
Cathera: I have my guard down. Shh- agh...felt like I was gonna over-sense and my heart was gonna burst. *exhale*
Bop: My fault. Should've known you're quite sensitive. What are you guys doing?
Cathera: Finding the rest of our friends so Saitonia here isn't alone with his sister when they inevitably meet Terranova once again.
Bop: *looking down, unsure of what he could be getting himself into arcs later* Wow that's a risk, *looks back up* but at least I get some action.
Pyrus: Patience, Bop. It'll take a long time before we come across Terranova or any else of his subordinates.
Bop: I know.
Saitonia: And his power is nothing foolish. He killed our parents a thousand years ago.
Bop: 1000 years ago? You look like a teenager. You sure you're not joking?
Saitonia: *coldly glares at Bop* Does it look like I am "joking"?
Bop: *slight expression of fear* Uh, nope. I believe it now.
Cathera: *peering at an alley to the group's left* Let's see if some of us are down this alley here.
Bop: It's a weird request, but yeah.
*The 4 proceed into this strange alley, with Pyrus already looking a bit uneased.*
Pyrus: Sketchy back here....
???: *from behind the 4, in a deep, gruff voice* It's just another dark, strange alley amongst thousands of other alleys within this mainland. What can you expect?
*As the 4 turn around, they are met with a mysterious male in a black hat and mask, only revealing his messy white hair. A black and brown trenchcoat, pants and boots, alongside leather gloves.*
Pyrus: Oh shit, you're that merchant.
Merchant: In case you have forgotten, I am Robin. I sell a variety of items, from guns to melee weaponry to potions to herbs.
Pyrus: *turning around, explaining something to the 3* This guy enhanced my hybrid rifle, so I can just swap between assault rifle mode and sniper rifle mode.
Bop: Whooooaaaa.....
Cathera: Weapons from our planet have had that kind of ability for centuries.
Robin: That is true. Terranoviatia is way too technologically advanced, "Kitty Cathy".
Cathera: *caught by the nickname Robin has called her, giving him a dirty look* How you know my stupid little nickname?
Robin: Classified. *breathy snicker*
Cathera: Ugh, Tommy....
Robin: I've also discovered that you're quite skilled in archery, so here's this bow that no one else wanted.
*Robin opens up his trenchcoat and pulls out a sci-fi-themed dark brown bow with faint glowing blue at the limbs. Glowing white strings and a glassy blue sight in the middle.*
Robin: Go ahead. It's free. Here's some arrows too.
Cathera: *taking the bow and arrows* Wow thanks. The old one I had was just so horrid that I discarded it from my inventory.
Bop: Whatever abilities and weapons you're comfortable with. I got my sword and dark powers.
Saitonia: I am an eraser.
Bop: Eraser? Like the pink rubber things that wipe away errors?
Saitonia: No. The word is...
Cathera: Technically? Actually?
Saitonia: "Technically", I am an Erazeska.
Bop: Ah, they do sound alike.
Saitonia: Us erasers trap our enemies in a purple void, as it "devours" their flesh and life.
Bop: Never seen it happen, but from your description, gee that's brutal.
Pyrus: It was cool seeing you, Robin!
*The 4 walk off as Robin watches them. As they travel further down the alley, 3 figures in the same red and black masks and outfits run past them, coming from the right side of the alley.*
Bop: *asking Pyrus* You think they could be some crooks?
Pyrus: Dunno, but let's get after them.
*It's a short chase, but the 4 have followed the 3 crooks into an even wider part of the alley, with gateways, broken generators, and large, rectangular dispensers around the area. Those 3 crooks are revealed to be Terranova's unnamed minions, and they led the 4 to possibly one of Cat's and Kav's allies; an eraser female in a black mask that has glowing purple eyes and lines going down them. Her messy, long black hair is mostly covered by a black cloak with glowing purple lines at the ends. Her top is a black shirt with 1 purple arrow on her chest, and the other 2 are parallel to the sides, the right arm is sleeveless, and the left arm has a long sleeve. Her bottoms are slim, white pants and long, black boots with purple glowing lines in the middle, purple laces, and white fur.*
Minion 1: *gripping his red sword* There's that eraser!
Minion 2: *reloading his high-caliber rifle* Another dead eraser satisfies Terranova.
*Sai's group draws their weapons, but in the blink of an eye, this masked "friend" slashes all 3 of them up, all dropping dead in an instant.*
Masked Eraser: *making her energy blades vanish* Consider that unsatisfying; the eraser is still alive.
Cathera: Sakiro!
Sakiro: *turning around* Cathera. Yeahhh, another worthless minion of Terranova.
*A male voice from around the corner calls out: "Sakiro, did you kill them?!"*
Sakiro: *looking at where the voice is heard, letting out an annoyed sigh* Yes, Tenerus, you can come out now.
*This Tenerus emerges from around the corner. He appears as a Caucasian-Terranovian with a faint green undertone, medium, dark blue hair and brown eyes. He wears an orange and blue jacket with blue shoulder and forearm pads etched to it, and under the jacket is a half-tucked dark blue shirt. Dark brown, fitted pants and short and stocky, dark blue boots. On the right side of his pants' waistband, lies a brown, techy holster carrying his signature, orange and dark blue, simplistic pistol.*
Tenerus: *sighing* Oh thank the Arckyve. I was out of bullets.
Sakiro: That is no excuse to fight. Us Terranovians have natural super strength, put it to use.
Saitonia: *to Sakiro* Another erazeska.
Sakiro: *turns to Sai* It's quite uncommon to refer to our own kind as Erazeska, but obviously. For a millennium, Terranova has been so hell-bent on wiping us out, making sure that there are none of us left, all extinct. That happened with the exterminators, or Exeriotos, it can't happen again. Just imagine exterminators in the modern days, *looking up into the sky* but that's probably in the Utopian Reality. He can't get rid of us, no matter how many years he travels to for a spree of eraser massacre. He will be put down for good.
Tenerus: Wow, what a speech. You're not that much of a talker, Sakiro.
Cathera: *approaches Sai* Now Saitonia...Sai for short. As you can see, Tenerus here iiiisss...quite the clumsy one. He's not very skilled in combat, but what we like about him, is that he has a really good heart. He's the kind of guy that strives for us to be our best. So it would be absolutely cruel to just treat him as expendable, you know like how Terranova treats his subordinates. You definitely need a Tenerus in your life, and appreciate them while they're still around.
Tenerus: *smirks* Wow thanks. I guess I hold some form of usefulness.
Cathera: Sakiro, have you seen the others?
Sakiro: No. But I have an idea that we should meet up by the pier. A more public area where no minions will try to sneak on us.
Cathera: Sure. Stay alert.
Sakiro: Let's go, Tenerus.
*Sakiro and Tenerus depart as the other 4 also exit the alley.*
____________________
(Terranova's lair. A red orb displays the alleyway where Sakiro killed the 3 minions.)
Shizaki: Well Vexas, your plan didn't result well.
Vexas: Figured it wouldn't. I didn't intend to plan anything elaborate, just something to throw them off for the time being.
Shizaki: It was a bit too late, but I could somewhat make out what was said; something about a pier.
Eriela: Pier 906z?
Shizaki: If that's the location, might as well do this.
*She summons another orb, displaying the location of Pier 906z.*
Eriela: Umm-
Shizaki: *cutting Eriela off* Not yet. *red energy emits from her left hand as drones disguised a security cameras are summoned throughout the pier*
Eriela: *astonished* Whoa...
Serox: That's our watcher. We could launch attacks way too unexpected, and maybe so *looking at the room where Terranova's throne is* "wipe out those erasers".
Shizaki: Let's wait for our targets, yes? *eyepiece shines*
____________________
(END)