[Party Entering Den Raid Area]
{Beginning Raiding Instance.]
Julian walked across the roof of a nearby office building and dropped his bracer to his side.
Mid-Market was already crawling with Artino guards running a perimeter around the den just on the edge of the Raid Instance.
That didn’t stop Omen from slipping inside the raid unnoticed.
Kiyoka’s voice broke through the silence.“I’m counting thirty guards between Market Street and Van Ness Avenue. How are you guys doing?
Julian touched his right ear bud. “Same here. Thirty guards between 5th and Mission. This might be tougher than we thought.”
“Hold up,” Andre’s voice came through, “we have tamers coming down from Market Street. I’m counting around twenty-five.”
Julian looked to his bracer, pulling up his map. “From the North? Is it Chinatown?”
“There’s a good possibility. Julian, we’re coming back to you. Make sure Obi is ready.”
Julian nodded out of habit. “Gotcha, see you soon.”
From across the street on another roof, Maria and Matilda flew together, putting that telekinesis to use.
They touched down on Julian’s roof, a huge smile plastered across Maria’s face. “That’s so wild. You’ve got to try it!”
Julian chuckled. “Maybe another time. Right now, we need to get ready.”
Aww, boss, don’t you trust me? I wouldn’t drop you on purpose.
I trust you, Obi, but accidents happen, and I’d feel better if we got to practice first.
Obi crawled out of Julian’s hood and flew over to the north edge of the building. I’mma hold you to that, boss. Next time, then. A purple energy flashed across Obi’s carapace.
Julian and Maria watched as Andre and Kiyoka came flying, landing gently on the roof next to Obi.
Kiyoka reached down and scooped up Obi. “Thank you for the lift, sir.”
One kiss and I’ll be your prince.
Julian sighed, hiding his face in his palm.
That got Kiyoka’s attention. “What did he say?”
“I think that only works on frogs, Obi.” Julian said, holding his hand out for the beetle.
Kiyoka gave Julian a funny look and turned her attention back to Obi. She held her hand out to Julian, letting him take Obi from her.
Sigh, a guy can dream. First time for everything, you know.
Dangle’s voice suddenly broke through the silence. “Contact made on Market Street. The guards are moving in to hold them off. It looks like now’s your chance. Make it quick!”
Maria smiled. “Follow me!” She took off running to the south edge of the building.
Andre and Kiyoka were right behind her.
Julian's throat turned dry, and he reluctantly followed.
At the edge of the building, Julian refused to look over the side. The ten-story drop off was too much for him.
“Ready?” Maria asked. Without waiting for a response, she jumped.
Andre and Kiyoka jumped after her.
Julian sighed, his legs growing weak.
Trust fall, boss. I got you.
Julian closed his eyes and jumped after his party.
Purple energy erupted around them as Matilda and Obi caught them, slowing their descent and setting them down gently on the sidewalk below.
“Let’s move,” Andre said, taking the lead.
Everyone took off towards the den.
Julian sighed, his legs trembling as he took off after the others
You did great, boss. Told you I wouldn’t drop you.
Monstrous roars filled the air from North Market Street as they ran towards the den. The five guards who stayed behind held their position.
“Matilda, nighty-night,” Maria said, pointing at the guards.
The little monkey screeched as her eyes flared with purple energy. The five guards raised their bracers, but suddenly collapsed to the ground. Snores filled the air.
Kiyoka shivered. “That’s a bit much.”
Maria shrugged. “It’s how we busted you out of the warehouse.”
“Move!” Andre said again, charging towards the nearby building.
Everyone followed behind him, finally entering the building housing the den.
Julian panted, trying to catch his breath.
Andre tapped his bandolier and summoned Dorffi. “Remember, in and out, quietly. We don’t want their attention.”
Kiyoka tapped her bandolier, summoning Corona.
Kiyoka looked over to Matilda and Maria, watching them.
Maria stepped up beside Julian. “You okay?”
“Yeah, give me a moment,” Julian panted, taking a deep breath. He focused on his bond with Omen.
The wolf emerged from the nearby shadows, walking out from behind one of the counters, using their bond to fill Julian in.
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
“Omen says the way is clear. The raid is just ahead. Apparently, it’s some kind of bird?”
“Maria,” Kiyoka interrupted.
“Hmm? What’s up?” Maria asked.
“It’s Matilda.” Kiyoka stepped up to the monkey, raising a hand and gently caressing the monkey across her head.
“Everything okay?” Maria asked out loud, looking towards her little partner.
The monkey was panting softly as well.
Kiyoka kept petting Matilda’s head. “It’s like she’s tired. Using her telekinesis so much seems to have worn her out.”
“What?” Julian asked, looking over at them, dumbfounded. “We’ve watched her pick up whole cars and slam them around like they were nothing.”
Maria lifted her bracer, looking at the new interface. “Damnit, she’s right. It’s the system update. Check on Obi.”
Julian looked to his bracer, checking out Obi’s information.
[EIDOS INFORMATION:]
[Eidos: Oberon/ Obi]
[Type: Popillia]
[Size: Tiny]
[Affinity: Nature / Mental]
[Level: 6]
[Elemental Affinity:]
[Primary: Nature]
[Secondary: Mental]
[Statistics:]
Ferocity = 10
Agility = 18
Tenacity = 15
Accuracy = 17
Cunning* = 23
Perception* = 20
Energy = 14/22
“Looks like we finally got those stats you were complaining about,” Julian said.
Maria sighed. “What changed? Did the system do this to her? When was energy a thing? It's almost at zero.”
“That’s a question for later. Right now we need to clear the raid before the guards get back.” Andre pressed forward, letting Dorffi lead the way.
Maria tapped Matilda’s capsule. “Get some rest, girl. I’m so sorry.”
Matilda dispersed in a cloud of purple particles and returned to her capsule.
Maria tapped the yellow capsule on her bandolier and summoned Penelope.
The large raptor materialized and Maria stroked the reptile’s head lovingly. “Hey girl, we’re depending on you for this one.”
The raptor chirped at her, taking her place at Maria’s side.
Together, the party walked forward.
How are you feeling, Obi?
I’m fine, boss. Why do you ask?
Your stats show that your energy is almost half depleted.
I mean, you all are heavier than you look, so that sounds about right.
Julian sighed. “Omen, show us the way forward.”
Omen slipped through the party and took the lead.
So far, no other Eidos appeared in the building.
Omen turned down one hallway leading to a set of double doors that opened to a courtyard.
[Eidos Identified.]
[Selasphorus: Level 3]
[Affinity: Electric]
[Warning: Air Type Den Leader Detected]
Julian looked out into the courtyard, his jaw dropping.
The large courtyard was glowing from static electric energy as a swarm of hummingbirds glided around a large tree. The sounds of their trills filled the air as the party approached.
“They know we’re here,” Kiyoka whispered.
“How do you know that?” Andre asked, looking over at her.
Kiyoka shrugged. “I think it’s one of my druid abilities. [Eidos Advocate.] It’s strange, I can’t really explain it."
Andre turned his attention back to the den of hummingbirds. “I think I can handle this one. Oryx and I should be fine. I want that den leader, though.”
Andre stepped forward and opened the door to the courtyard. He tapped his bandolier, sending brown particles out amongst the swarming birds as Oryx appeared.
The birds immediately dove towards Oryx and Andre.
Andre slammed the door shut, letting the electric blasts slam into the glass. He yelped in pain, releasing the metal door handle and shook his hands.
“You okay?” Kiyoka asked, stepping up beside him.
Andre nodded. “Yeah, they pack a punch, though!” He smiled, looking out to the courtyard.
Oryx called up boulders from the ground, forcing them to swirl around the courtyard and slamming them into the swarm of birds. Yellow particles quickly filled the air.
Suddenly, the boulders stopped swirling and fell to the ground, as a huge gust of wind filled the courtyard, causing the doors to shutter.
“The den leader,” Julian said, pointing out to the tree.
Sitting on a branch was one hummingbird that appeared a bit larger than the others.
[Eidos Identified.]
[Selasphorus: Level 6]
[Affinity: Electric / Air]
“Get him,” Andre yelled.
Oryx bellowed, sending a column of earth towards the tree.
The force of the attack uprooted the tree, causing it to fall into the courtyard.
“That was to loud, Andre!” Kiyoka hissed, turning back to look down the hallway they came from.
Andre was already stepping through the doors and into the courtyard.
Oryx had the den leader tangled in stone, crushing the poor bird. Electricity burst around the gaps in the stone along with gusts of air. Soon, yellow and silver particles started pouring from the stone trap.
Andre loaded an empty capsule into his bracer and began taming the den leader.
Footsteps echoed in the hallways. The party wasn’t alone anymore.
“Go!” Julian said, stepping into the courtyard.
Maria and Kiyoka followed.
Penelope roared and stomped through the glass doors, breaking the metal door frames and causing more noise and destruction.
“Maria!” Kiyoka yelled.
“Sorry! She’s a big girl!”
Artino guards rounded the corner of the hallway, catching sight of Penelope. “Over there!”
The yellow and silver particles flowed towards Andre’s bracer as he captured the den leader.
“I got it!” He called out. He tapped Oryx’s capsule, calling him back.
[Den Leader defeated.]
[Quartz Den Raid: Complete.]
[Calculating Rewards]
Gunfire erupted from behind them as the Julian and the others ducked for cover.
Penelope roared as bullets bounced off her thick hide. She released a lightning bolt down the hallway, causing the stone work to burst around the guards and forcing the gunfire to cease.
“Move!” Maria called, taking off towards the other doors on the backside of the courtyard.
The party ran after her as Penelope covered their escape before running after them.
As the party rushed through the doors, Penelope crashed through them.
“What happened to quiet and stealth?” Julian called out.
This is called loud stealth, boss.
“Not now, Obi! Just cover us!” Julian yelled.
Rude. Purple energy flashed around the party as the gunfire continued.
The party turned the corner and bounded out the back doors of the building.
Right on the north side of Market Street.
Artino guards were firing their weapons as the Chinatown tamers took cover behind cars, returning fire. Eidos from both sides were busy fighting in the middle of the street.
“Halt!” one guard called to them, turning his gun on Julian and the others.
Suddenly, bullets peppered into the side of the guard. He dropped to the ground, dead.
Purple energy flashed around Julian and the others as Chinatown tamers and Artino guards turned their attention to them.
“Run!” Julian roared.
Andre re-summoned Oryx and climbed into the saddle with Kiyoka behind him.
Maria jumped on Penelope’s saddle and held a hand out to Julian. “Come on!”
Julian sat behind her on Penelope’s back, and the raptor darted off like lightning across the battlefield.
Boss, this is a lot of firepower I'm blocking.
Prioritize the others if need be, Obi.
But, boss!
Do it!
Different colored particles flowed through the air as both sides summoned more Eidos into their path.
As Julian and his party darted around the monsters and gunfire, Eidos released elemental attacks of fire, lightning, frost — anything to stop their retreat.
Omen pounced from the shadows, ambushing them before their attacks could make contact.
Boss, I’m running super low. I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up!
Suddenly, Julian felt a stinging sensation through his shoulder as something punched into him. He groaned as he slumped into Maria.
“Julian’s hit!” Maria cried out, snapping Penelope’s reins harder as the raptor charged forward. Lightning bolts burst forth, clearing them a path forward.
Boss, I'm-
As purple and green particles swarmed around Julian, a geyser of water erupted from underneath Oryx, causing the antelope, Andre, and Kiyoka to go flying across the battlefield and tumbling across the road.
Corona cried out, flying down towards Kiyoka and Andre, releasing a burst of healing light over them. He continued to dodge attacks, but a bolt of darkness slammed into the raven, sending him crashing to the ground.
“Maria, we have to go back for them!” Julian called.
“Keep moving!” Andre’s voice cut through the fighting into their ear buds.
“No!” Julian roared. Another bullet slammed into his back, causing him to wheeze. He suddenly found it hard to breathe.
“Maria, get him out of here!” Andre roared over their earbuds.
Dorffi's roar echoed over the battlefield as the bear grew as large as possible, becoming the focus of the battlefield.
Fire erupted around enemy Eidos as Ember burned her way through the oncoming assault.
Teary-eyed, Maria nodded. “You two be safe!” She choked out.
With a snap of the reins, Penelope took off at full speed, an electric blur across the battlefield as they retreated, leaving Andre and Kiyoka behind.