Nayjhren wasted no time initiating the battle. His eyes widened linking Century and his soul together. Century felt her heartbeat shift for a second. She clutched her chest as her breathing synced with Nayjhren. Her fist clenched before she changed her glove back to normal, opting for less dangerous attacks.

Nayjhren leaned close to Eliowen.

"Don't worry about Century, I'll handle her."

Eliowen frowned.

"No... I-I'll help."

Nayjhren looked at Eliowen with a stern expression.

"No, trust me. Just leave this between me and her. The last thing I need is for you to get hurt."

Eliowen sighed and furrowed his brow.

"I'll be fine. Just let me help."

Nayjhren shook his head.

"Eliowen, just get out of the way-"

Without warning Century lunged forward and dropkicked Nayjhren across the church. His head snapped straight up as he slid across the ground. Century groaned as she felt a sharp pain hit her rips as if she had slammed into an invisible wall. Nayjhren jumped to his feet and snarled, his eyes glowing a bright maroon. He shot forward with a leap, his speed was mad, sticking his feet forward causing his heels to hit the ground with a loud thud before her leaned forward making himself extremely flat. His fingertips gripped the ground until they went purple. Century ripped out a few strands of hair to transform them into a silver dagger.

With outrageous speed and intensity, Nayjhren used his forefoot and finger to shoot himself forward. He reached the speed of a bullet as he extended his hands out and made them into claws. Century's expression couldn't even change before he managed to reach her. Nayjhren clenched his hands around Century's neck and disconnected their souls momentarily. Century felt her heart stutter as the world around her seemed to invert colour for a split second. Nayjhren had a horrific expression that matched the predatory gaze of a Necrobeast.

They tumble across the floor causing Century to lose the even ground. Nayjhren used this advantage to curl his knees to his chest and plant his feet on Century's stomach. Century saw what he was about to do but was unable to prevent it as he had his nails digging into her wrists. She bit her tongue before Nayjhren propelled his legs out straight, ramming into Century's stomach. Century felt her organs stretch and her bones warp. She was quickly flung through the wall of the church, a cloud of blood erupting from her mouth and splattering all over the church.

Century tumbled across the street, her chin stained with blood. She felt her battered organs rearranging themselves in her torso as parts of her body twitched and spasmed. The only noises she could make were quiet winces of pain as her body began to shut down. Rina came running over with a petrified look on her face as she looked at Century's bloated stomach, blood filling her entire body. Nayjhren came outside to look at her, he didn't celebrate his easy victory, he simply stared at her. She looked straight into his emotionless eyes, her hand clenching into a fist once more. With all of her strength, she raised her hand. Nayjhren's expression changed to shock, his eyes widened slightly and his mouth opened. Century kept her hand raised and slowly lifted her middle finger, her hands trembling and blood spurting from her mouth.

Rina quickly bit Century as her body slowly reconstructed itself to normal. Century listened as she could hear the vicious slurping of her organs moving back to the place, the snapping of her bones as they corrected themselves, blood evaporated from her lungs and came out of her mouth as a red smog. She coughed and wiped the spit and blood from her chin as she stood back up.

Century took a few deep breaths.

"What was that look for..."

Nayjhren seemed confused.

"What do you mean?"

Century grits her teeth.

"Why didn't you rub in your victory? Or even smile? What the hell are you!?"

Nayjhren looks to the ground.

"Because that win didn't feel good. I didn't want to fight you."

Century's face contorted in disbelief.

"WHAT!? Tch. You're a loser."

Century walked off, not bothered to fight someone who had no interest. Navie and Werren walked outside to see the whole confrontation go down.

Werren could only chuckle at the sight.

"She seems actually pissed off for once."

Navie looks dumbfounded at how Werren allowed this to transpire.

"Wh-Why didn't you stop them!?"

Werren looks down at Navie and smirks.

"Why should I? Let them sort it out by themselves."

Navie looked shocked at how laid back Werren was being about all of this.

"But they just put two more holes in the church! And that girl was on the verge of death!"

Werren picks grime from between his teeth as he keeps his neutral expression.

"Eh. They're fine."

Navie's hands trembled at the sight of pure disobedience.

"Maybe I should be glad you're no longer captain..."

Century walked up to Werren and Navie with her hands in her hoodie's pockets.

"Yo, surprised to see me?"

Werren crosses his arms.

"Not in the slightest."

Century pouts.

"You don't have to lie. I know about the secret meetings, so spill."

Werren shakes his head.

"We were talking about hero stuff. But besides that, I'm glad you're here because..."

Werren puts his arm around Century as she looks disgusted.

"Navie, Century and Nayjhren will be the ones joining us!"

Navie's jaw dropped.

"Uh... what...?"

Century pushed Werren away.

"Don't touch me grease head!"

Century turned her glove to diamond and punched Werren over and over again.

A tear ran down Navie's face.

"Great..."

Jia Precinct - 11/03 3:20 pm 51EE

Century walked out of the house with nothing but the clothes on her back and her glove. Nayjhren carried a large sack full of books with topics ranging from murder mystery novels to tips on how to commit murder. Werren left the house and locked it, only bringing his tie, cigarettes and a lighter.

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Meanwhile, Crux was heaving a large crate full of wrenches, hammers and a plethora of tools. Pyxis was lugging four bags full of rolled-up maps and drawing equipment. Meda had a crowd of enamoured men carrying her hundreds of bags full of every single clothing item in every colour to have ever existed. Draco was holding onto a chicken she had collected and Navie carried a bag of important files and documents. They all stopped at the front of Werren's house to look at Century, Nayjhren and Werren.

Crux let out a large sigh.

"Phew. Carried half of my tools, time to go get the other half!"

Crux marched away with a large smile.

The crowd were fawning over Meda as she smiled and took photos of them all.

"Such loyal fans you all are!"

Meda blew a kiss and winked as half of the crowd fainted.

Pyxis had put all of his things down and brought out a few of his maps, which he sprawled out on the floor. He began to scribble various symbols and annotations as his hand worked overtime, furiously writing on every corner.

Draco put an apple on the chicken's head.

"Stay."

Draco backed up and took out her bow. The chicken's head perked up and its eyes wobbled around. It let out a loud squawk before running in circles.

"I said stay."

Draco fired a volley of arrows at the chicken rapidly.

Navie sighed looking at her squad's utter incompetence and Werren's group's inept preparedness.

"Lockdown, get it together!"

Werren smiled.

"Glad to see you all made it. You all packed?"

Navie nodded.

"Someone we managed to make it on time. Meda kept stopping to try the local food spots, of course, her posse had to copy her. We ended up waiting for this poor old man to make almost one hundred bowels of Pho..."

Navie looked disappointed.

"It's fine though. We should be all ready."

Werren nodded.

"Same here."

Navie nodded and turned to Lockdown.

"LOCKDOWN!"

Navie mimicked the stance of holding a spyglass once more. All of Lockdown soon followed with undying respect.

"I dedicate this voyage to our ancestors."

All of Lockdown stood up straight and continued to hold the salute.

"I will sail to the ends of the Sundial!"

They all shouted out.

Navie let go of the salute and put her hand to her side.

"I dedicate my life to the Initiates!"

Lockdown followed her lead and shouted once more.

"I will follow the stars to the end!"

Navie nodded.

"I dedicate my actions to the good of humanity!"

Lockdown all raised their fists high.

"We will secure all life! Lockdown!"

Navie smirked.

"At ease. Let's prep the Advance."

All of Lockdown stood in a line and plucked out a strand of their hair.

Century looked weirded out as she turned to Werren.

"These guys are so weird."

Nayjhren looked amazed by their vow and their actions.

"These guys are so cool! Something out of a comic!"

Werren lit a cigarette.

"That's Lockdown for you."

As Lockdown began to hold their hairs out, each hair began to slowly float into the air.

Century's eyes widened.

"What the..."

"It's their bond."

Werren took a long drag from his cigarette as Century looked back at him.

"Strand users can bond with Haab' but also each other. Create synergies between their powers. Lockdown's synergy is their mobile base..."

Their hairs began to glow as they stretched and began to form the hull of a ginormous ship. At first, it looked like a submarine, with bronze coating every part and distinct sections across a long cylindrical object, but soon a long pointed ram shot out with more cylinders attaching to the hull. The multileveled bridge was next and the decks followed, everything was made from bronze and tungsten. Finally, a large balloon was attached to the top of the ship with propellers at the end. Across the deck and hull was an armada of cannons with flags of a spyglass fluttering through the wind. The size of the airship cast a shadow over most of the town as people looked up and were amazed by it.

Century and Nayjhren were frozen in shock as they looked at the leviathan hovering above them. In unison, they shouted.

"WHAAAT!?"

Werren laughed.

"Show-offs..."

Navie didn't face Century and Nayjhren but heard their impressed yelling causing her to smirk.

"Take a good look. This is our girl. CE Advance."

Navie gazed upon the airship and felt warm seeing it.

"Let's load up on supplies. Quick. We have a tight deadline."

Navie clapped her hand as Lockdown got to work.

Century ran forward and blew herself upward to get on the ship. She had an excited grin on her face. Werren slowly walked down to a rope that descended from the deck of the airship. Nayjhren put his sack of books down and looked off into the distance to the church.

At the church, Eliowen, Rina and Yuro said their goodbyes to Archbishop Blues.

Rina bowed to Blues.

"Merruhn."

Yuro nodded.

"Yes, please take care of the town while we are gone. We are sorry to leave in such a rush but we promise to be back as fast as we can."

Blues smiled.

"Don't worry. I'll be able to handle things for a while. I've basically fully recovered!"

Blues turned to Eliowen who looked sombre. Blues smiled and patted his head.

"You, on the other hand, you be careful alright?"

Eliowen didn't say anything. Blues kneeled down.

"Son, listen. I'm... I know you'll be fine. Stay with Rina and Yuro okay?"

Eliowen turned his head up.

"Father... I... I don't know. What if..."

"Don't. Don't 'what if' now."

Blues began to tear up, his eyes going puffy as he sniffled.

"You'll just make me worry more. I trust you, my son. Trust yourself."

Blues put his forehead to Eliowen's.

"I love you, Eliowen."

Eliowen's jaw trembled as he hugged Blues.

"Me too, Dad."

Yuro and Rina smiled as they watched them say goodbye.

"Yo, anyone seen where my other crate went?"

Crux walked up and saw Eliowen and Blues embracing each other.

"Oh, did... someone die? Hey! Sorry for your loss dudes!"

Crux waved his hand trying to console Eliowen and Blues.

Yuro shushed Crux.

"SHUT UP! THEY'RE HAVING A MOMENT FOOL!"

Crux tore Yuro away.

"A baby!? Where's your parents, young man."

"DEAD! Now let me GO!"

Yuro bit Crux's hand causing him to drop Yuro.

"Youch! Baby's got a temper. Do you need your diaper changed or something?"

Crux caressed his bitten hand.

Rina put her hand on Crux's shoulder.

"Currh..."

Crux looked down at Yuro.

"OH! You're Yuro! HA, oh man thank god. I thought Werren was speaking to a ghost when he addressed you in meetings. That makes so much sense!"

Rina sighed.

"Nerumm huyff."

Eliowen walked up to everyone.

"We ready?"

Crux nodded.

"YEAH!"

Crux smiled while looking around.

"Ready for what?"

Eliowen looked surprised to hear a new voice.

"Huh? Who are you?"

"I'm Crux! I'm Lockdown's mechanic and doctor."

"Oh, I'm Eliowen. Are you joining us?"

Crux waved his hands around.

"Nope. Just looking for my crate of tools that I left somewhere around here."

"Good luck with that then. We have a train to catch soon so we'll be off."

Crux waved.

"Later dudes!"

Eliowen and the others left the church. Crux spent a few minutes searching around for his crate but had no luck, he couldn't find his tools anywhere.

"Damn, where could I have put them?"

Crux thought long and hard for a good two seconds.

"Outside! Of course! Man, when did I get so smart."

Crux walked outside scanned the area and found the crate conveniently by the side of the church.

"Aw hell yeah! Crux for the win!"

Crux picked up the crate.

"Feels heavier than usual... welp! Time to get on the Advance and go to the operation objective!"

Crux looked around for the airship but there were only clear blue skies. Crux's eyes scanned the sky over and over but he quickly came to the realization they had left him behind.

"SHIT!"

Crux ran around in circles with his crate in hand.

"CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP! What am I supposed to do!?"

Crux then looked in the distance to see Eliowen and the others walking away.

"Well, Crux... seems we're going on a side adventure in the meantime."

Crux ran after Eliowen's group with his crate.

"Wait up guys! Room for one more? Hey! Stop walking! Are you guys walking faster!? STOP! I WANNA COME WITH WAIT UP! STOP SPRINTING!!!"

A new adventure awaits both groups as they split into two groups, one to the mysterious island made by Father and the other on their way to the Initiate Headquarters at the southern end of the Central Continent. As they depart a constant reminder rings through all of their heads... Their enemies are always watching...