"Greetings Samantha. You have taken a long time to get here." The Sacred Crystal Heart spoke to the Captain.

A cold wind brushed along Stryder as they turned their gaze upon the shining stone elevated reverently at the far end of the room. It was adorned in an altar of abandoned incense burners, still pristine murals of myth, and melted candle wax. If it was a person, the Heart was of a King that speaks forth its will upon all subjects present in the room.

"The Heart! It… is speaking to us." Aliathra bowed humbly before the holy artifact. The Elf was also followed by Karliah who lay prostrate with her.

"You are it aren't you?" Samantha treaded softly closer to the Heart. "You are the one responsible for this mark on my hand." Samantha took off her gloves and showed her Branding amidst all of the cybernetic augmentations that now dotted her hand into an amalgamation of the human flesh, the metal augmentations, and the mysteries of the arcane.

"Rhannu-Prietar, The Share Holder, Samantha Rose, the one not of the Blessed… now becometh one with the Aetherium." The Heart responded. "Having achieved many great accomplishments and gain the fellowship of fascinating companions during your travels so far Miss Rose. Your achievements in the Ostalrocs, the conquest of Brynbach, and the defeat of the Black Elves in Neuogonia."

"How did you know of all that?" Samantha asked.

"The brandings that I have shared among you, Doutor Mahelona, and boy Faithleann are a part of my functioning collective intelligence Samantha. I see what you see and feel what you feel. I saw your pain, your doubts but also your triumphs and that I am well pleased that my calculations of your character were within acceptable parameters… with a few deviations." The Heart answered.

"Hold on, 'Collective Intelligence'? 'Calculations'? 'Parameters'? Are you some sort of Computer or A.I.?" Kayin raised. Such terminologies were unexpected to be spoken of a sentient relic of Gliesia's allegedly primitive origin.

"That depends on who is asking." The Heart cryptically replied. "But within the context, you may call me 'Abacus'." It spoke formally.

Stryder Group were left aghast but stood eruditely as they continued to hear of what this sentient object has more to say.

"I shall be direct with you now for I cannot stay silent no longer." The Heart announced. "I thank you greatly for upon driving off the 'Alliance of the Light', with them on the run it will not be long before the truest in the most subjective sense of the next age may begin. I had selected the Branded carefully for their specific role to act in this Grand Design."

"You speak in riddles Heart." Karliah shook disbelievingly. "Why create the Chosen One's if you intend to have two of the Branded belong to the Otherworlders and the one to the Empire?"

"From what all happened so far, both sides wish to kill each other." Crocker added, folding his arms.

"It is with great assurance to all of you present that the worst aspects of the war are far past you now that you have driven those so-called 'Alliance' away from here. Those poor fools rely too much on past glories and 'Heroes' for their own good." The Heart commentates. "Unlike you, Samantha." Saying her name ominously.

"Why so?" the Captain questioned. "I was told you create Chosen Ones to help save this world from dangers."

"My purpose is always the wellbeing of this world Samantha." The Hear defended itself. "Gliesia does not revolve around just the Empire, the Elves, and the Dynasts! Your purpose in the grand design of the Coming Age is of an ideological and philosophical alteration of the course of this world's impending fate rather than a grievous Existential threat… but then again… is there a difference? That the old ways must die so that in its ashes, fertilize the seed of the new order ascension?" Abacus lectured. "In essence, you are all merely educational instruments for a grander equalization, not 'Heroes'."

"Explain?" the Captain pressed.

"Chosen Ones, of whom like to call themselves 'Heroes', but they are merely Agents to me, components to catalyze the conditions required to allow the sprouting of the Coming Age. You, the Estsygol, the Gweninejar, all are as I calculated are doing what they all naturally would do. That, I am certain you will continue on your journey to correct what Caldell and Alboen's mistakes were, many centuries ago." Abacus explained.

"Mistakes? What do you mean by the Founder King and the Dark Lord's 'mistakes'?" Karliah inquired.

"The story is much great and may take too long for me to speak all at once Samantha." The Heart evaded. "But perhaps this old fellow laying down here you can speak better than I ever could. He left a message for you before his passage."

The Heart began to emit brightly as a holographic light materialized into a humanoid shape before Stryder Group. It took the form of the late Grandmaster Owyne who laid dead, suicide by poison. His façade from what the squad discerns was slouched, filled with a great burden that weighed down upon the old man as he gave out his final words.

"Hello… Samantha… Stryder Group… and Ladui Silverdane…" the Holograph spoke.

Karliah recognized that voice admidst the static that the Heart imperfectly replicated, it was Owyne's.

"The Crystal Heart had shown me the truth of everything had happened in this world from the past to the present and it broke my mind and spirit. It revealed to me, through what little compunction I have left of all my guilt, of all of the horrible things I had done in the name of my selfish pride and greed. I realize now that I no longer deserve to live anymore. The prophecy, the one where I saw Gliesia burn was supposed to be our salvation, yet in my foolishness… I perverted and corrupted its message, causing your people's arrival into this world, the needless death and destruction this War has brought, and will continue to purge all blights that plagued our lands until Gliesia is made pure once again. However, whether the prophecy could be interpreted in any other way, the result is still the same, the Slaegian Empire must perish for its ashes to sprout the Coming Age's dawn. I blame not only myself but my fellow countrymen that we have followed the wrong path like King Cardell when he fought against Alboen. It was no wonder now I know… that just like the stories, he disappeared in shame after winning against the First Demonic Invasion because he realized that the demons were the true victors of the war not 'the Light.' Caldell was simply just… branded to be only Alboen's containment…"

"The Legends were a lie?" Samantha concluded. Meanwhile her fellow friends Iris, Aliathra and Karliah collapsed into themselves in their own ways, barely able to stomach of what they had just heard. Karliah recoiled behind a wall whilst Aliathra stared longingly into her holy pendant. Meanwhile, Iris held closely to Kayin's hand for his warmth.

"I know it is too late to ask for your forgiveness but if you search my bag it will contain all the intel you need to deal with the remnant Slaegians Empire that I wrote. I hope with this, I can at the most I can do now is help Prince Clovich… now soon to be the new Emperor of Ysanigrad's mission to ameliorate all of Gliesia. Farewell Stryder… for not only the deepest darkest voids await me, but also Ysberin, Kemal and all of those I have wrong are waiting for me there too. I am glad you and your people have arrived in Gliesia. Do not abandon your mission Samantha, we never had the chance to see our future." Owyne bid goodbye as the holograph dimmed off.

"What do you have to say now Samantha?" the Heart turned to the Captain

"Son of a bitch…" she cursed. Crouching down on Owyne's deceased body and grabbed several parchments of paper as he described he would have. "I… I don't know what else to say…"

"Yet you do Samantha, you have much things to say of yourself. You have always wanted to be a Hero… just like your father, and his father and their fathers before haven't you not?" the Heart challenged. "I got to know first-hand the strength of your character when my Brand linked into your memories from when it first embedded itself onto you. Know this for I have pass judgement of you now: You are one who doesn't leave everything to fate if you can help it. No matter how many times everything, as if all of Gliesia wish to stop you, your actions is always what you believe is right. You, Samantha Rose, Branded of the Share Holder, have always pushed yourself and those around you forward. In a way, you became the weaver of destiny and nobody else can take that gift away from you." Abacus strengthened her.

"Captain Rose, this is Wrench Squad." Samantha's radio arose to life. It was from the New Albany Militia's resident CBRN Team, of whom are tasked for the confiscation of Arcane Objects recovered in Gliesia for the Federation's study. "Have you found what you are looking for? Command wants us to move the Anomalous Object back to HQ immediately now."

"I believe it is time for me to move into a new dwelling Rhannu-Prietar. It is optimal that I present myself to the Estsygol before the day is done. We can accomplish much more together within his abode than chatting together of the many truths of this world in this dingy old pile of rocks…" the Heart, rather excitedly nudged the Captain.

"Yeah… you are right." Samantha stood back up and pressed to reply on her radio. "This is Stryder, Follow the stairs down three levels and move forward until you find a large door. We will be waiting on you to make the move."

[-]

It was easy to bask in the laurels of the Imperial Palace for Prince Clovich, the warmed marble floors, the spacious hallways, the decorative façade, and the luxurious furnishings could easily soften the muscles of whoever claims mastery over this lavish estate. Yet the Rebellious Prince feel a certain unease simply being within the premise. Perhaps the victory he had achieved today was beneath all its grandeur was hollowed when he heard they had failed to capture the fleeing Emperor and his court. Such a capture would have decisively stamped out the Old Empire's leadership in one fell swoop today, but now they roam free at the Northern Provinces, awaiting to plot their next move. Or maybe, it was the doubts of the weight of his revolution slowly chipping away at his once stoic demeanor. One door opens, and now two more have taken their places as he gathered his closest followers.

Yet nonetheless, the former-Emperor's residence, now the slowly emergent tenderfoot seat of power for the New Ysanigrad Amelioration Gweinyddiaeth was an almost-heavenly elevation of prestige compared to his Ancestral Keep back in Tyr Rian. Yet his advisors and ministers, both foreign and of his own roused him from his victorious hebetude for he has only won a temporary, albeit key upset. The iron must be struck while its bar, the emblematic future of the Realm still remained able for his hands to sculpt. Led to the recently abandoned War Room, a large map of the Empire, all of its Holdings, its trade & supply routes, colonies and more lay before him. In attendance was his foreign-born advisor or 'A-tash-shay' Ser Thomas Sight alongside his trusted Captain Ser Bardu Maghe, his lifelong Sage of all things Arcane the Magi Edmurl Mvaillel, the representative of the Federation's Armed Forces is Colonel Polonsky, two diaphanous members of the famous Stryder Group Ladui Silverdane & Princess Aliathra, and then lastly, on call from their UFE's communicators is Doctor David Mahelona whose voice mimeographed his presence even if its just only his voice and attentive ears rather than his bovine self.

"Alright then, map of the whole Empire is coming online in just about a sec…" the Colonel fiddled his handheld gadget.

Polonsky had been finishing inputs of his portable geographic device, encoding the newfound wealth of data the War Room with its library of scrolls of their predecessor's administrative documents over their domain. It didn't take a minute longer for the Holographic Map to come alive in vivid eye-catching display onto the table. A comprehensive map of unparalleled accuracy of cartography for Clovich and all of his confidants to oversee with unrestricted ascendancy.

Everything of what he has achieved and yet to accomplish became surreal unto the eyes and ears of the Prince, all the words of his confidants blurred into his head like a storm that it was hard to keep up with the finer details. At best he can only outline whatever filtered essences of each of his advisor's words before formulating his response:

Ser Maghe briefed the Prince into the situation, the Holographic Map visually updating as they speak. The newly conquered territory of what areas of the now broken Empire of what their territory consists of the Duchy of Tifrait, the Duchy of Souviel, the Principality of his native Tyr Rian, and finally Haringpoint. From his accumulative knowledge of the territories, he has effectively cut off the southern and eastern blood veins of the Empire's consumption not to mention its lumber supply of the Cambervale Forest. As for his opposition, the Imperial Remnants could count on the last major port with access to the Western Sea which is Marves, the vast majority of the Empire's farmlands and a relatively intact Northern Legions of whose veterancy fighting Daosne Barbarians is par to none in all of the Imperial Legions. For the Emperor and his Court however, according to Owyne's Last Testament acquired by Ladui Rose and Stryder Group, they had fled to the sanctuary of King Aslanidor's Court at Ethuilen in the Alfel Nora by this time. As for the military leadership of what remains of the seniority of the Legion, Adventurer's Guild, and the College of Magi, they had fled to North to continue to challenge Prince Clovich's claim with what remains of firmly Imperial Territory. Thankfully, Polonsky informed him that they can convert the now abandoned township of Neuogonia into a joint Federation-Laniyea Military Base to jumpstart any expansions northward. About Five Battalions or 3500 men's worth of military power: 21st & 23rd Infantry with the 88th Mountain Brigade attached, 45th Armored, 53rd Engineers and 99th Motorized their next offensive dubbed 'Operation: Northern Sweep'. The optimum number of soldiers he can press for the offensive. With reserves planned ahead from his Marines when needed. Its objective, capture all remaining Northern Imperial Lands up until Ghana's Wall Fortress. The additional attachment of Native Guides mostly from the Centaur Beastfolks would be key to carving out territory at the hardy northern provinces.

"Yes… find them and track them all down." The Prince said. "We won't rest until all of the Empire is under our banner."

Speaking about remnant Imperial Territories, there was also the debate on what shall be done on the Slaegian Colonies down south on the untamed frontier beyond his own native Tyr Rian. The same will likely be the fate of the North but albeit a secondary priority for the Amelioration until the Heartlands are secured. Still, if he can decently recall the stories he had heard of the southern expanse beyond the Eastern Deserts and the Suzerainties. They tell of vast untamed, unexploited and fertile forest plains that the Colonies are the sources of exotic goods such as rare animal merchandise and spices. They are several conflicts between the Slaegian Colonists and the local Tribes and wild monsters in the area but such events insignificantly disrupt the Empire's Importation before the Federation's arrival. Ultimately, if Clovich wishes to diversify his new nation's economy to stand on par with the Federation, his next target would be the South's subjugation.

There was also the fact that they should also consider of is the possibility of an Elven Intervention coming from Alfel-Nora across the Western Sea as warned by Aliathra, specifically her homeland's Entente who would surely rally their armies against them once the word has befallen that Haringpoint has been taken over by 'an Army of Demons'. For now, the priority of the Amelioration is on the Homefront as Ser Maghe and Colonel Polonsky argued. If they dared to Intervene, the Tenacity and the Aurora will be on call to intercept.

"They will… one way or the other must come into the fold eventually," Clovich says his piece. His mind burned with all the oncoming concerns besieging him. He trusts his Generals' ability to put these enemies by his gates all by themselves. Clovich's proverbial 'Sword', to eliminate challengers.

However, If the Amelioration were to be destined the successors of the old Empire's ashes, he needed to legitimize his right to rule starting from what he now has in his possession before working his way outwards. Consolidating his unquestioned dominion over his new lands will be equally as key. He needed his 'Shield'.

Edmurl, using again the scrolls of documents found in the room now gained a basal view of the internal situation of the Empire's Homefront prior to their invasion. The Ostalroc Eruption had devastated the majority arable land of the Empire resulting in the cycle's harvest being ruined just as Harvest season is about to begin. Thomas Sight feared a famine is about if not already happening in the Empire. Limited reportages of the stockpiles indicate that the Imperials have only about a fraction of the food stock accessible from their side of the divide. The opposite could be said about his own nation, however, thanks to his earlier permissions with Osei Korporasie from the propagating Eden Otieno. They can be sure that their food supplies would only see surpluses, their people fat with nutrition once their Vertical Farms and Food Distribution Centers are fully built and functioning within the Realm. For now, the Colonel Polonsky has suggested a temporary solution to buy Ladui Otieno the time she needs to secure the food supply, the distribution of their own food rations, meals that his own Laniyea soldiers enjoy quite fondly during their marches, the Meal-Ready-to-Eat Rations. He found it quite amusing that those packets can create 'fire' from water.

"This famine must end. See to it." Clovich approved.

"I will tell Miss Otieno the good news." The Colonel nodded.

Then there was the internal security at the matter. There are likely clandestine holdouts still within the conquered territory under the allegiance of the Old Empire that needs to be put down before such a wound is allowed cancerously grow within the fringes of his grasps. Enforcing Martial Law and occupational checkpoints throughout all conquered territories, existing and future should establish the authority of his Amelioration at the cost of relying on his Patrons for their aid of whom foreign presence will inevitably cause a stir with the peasantry. There was also the fact of Princess Estrice of whom he to his own shock had been successfully captured by the intrepid Stryder Group. No doubt the exiled Emperor would input handsomely for her rescue once the word has gotten out that she is under their captivity. For her safety, she was very quietly transferred immediately to Tyr Rian, hopefully, that his Sister Aria and her handmaidens could take good care of the young girl as the war progresses, and also knock some sense into her delusions of Tyr Rian being a corrupted hellscape.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"I will have my troops, once they are ready of taking over the safeguarding of the Realm." The Prince painstakingly reminded Thomas and the Colonel.

Clovich calculated quietly of the negative consequences of his reliance on the Sky People to be not too great. His new subjects, as hard to admit to his patrons would like to hear, are stubborn people. If he doesn't show that he can independently rule his lands without the help of the Federation, the more he can wrestle the Mandate harder onto his side. Their words are valuable and equally powerful as they might, their presence is ultimately an Alien, almost radical shift of power that remnants of the Old Order would be hard-pressed to listen, let alone submit to. His first actions would be the groundwork of establishing his new regime now that the Imperial Capital's administrative apparatuses and strategic advantages over his adversary. He needed to work fast, and revert sense of normalcy back into the lives of the common plebian so that he has the room to enact his Reforms. Looking back at his prototype Constitution, a copy of the same paper he had drafted with his earliest followers back in the Federation's home planet of Earth, the Prince establishes the organization of his new Earth-style Llywodraeth:

1. The first generation of the Senedd or Senate and the Cynrychiolwyr or the House of Representatives will consist of trusted nobles and scholars from his Native Tyr Rian and Souviel followed by influential power-holders such as large farmland owners, merchants and craftsmen. Gone will be the days of hereditary politics as now all are equal of merit and ascension under the eyes of the New Ysanigrad.

2. Establish new centralized governing institutions, called 'Adranau' for the administrative divisions of Education, Defense, Agricultural, Finance, Commerce, Judiciary and Magic. Subsequently appointing of the first heads of each Adranau. (Some of the likely candidates for these positions however are of controversial choice on the matters in spite of their excellent aptitudes.)

3. The Laniyea shall undergo additional training of the UFEAF's Military Doctrines with a funding for an expansion of their roster and equipment for his soldiers to be on-par with the Federation's Army.

4. Authorization of the reconstruction and modernization of vital infrastructure, specifically Roads but also the construction of several Electrical Power Plants ranging from Solar, Wind and Nuclear Powered shall be built alongside a Railway system to better connect the lifeblood between all of his fledgling nation and hasten the industrialization of the Realm.

"Soon… very soon…" he dreamt.

For more scientific pursuits, Prince Clovich had authorized the Chosen One, Doctor Mahelona to be given unlimited access to all nodes of the previous Research of the College of Magi for his own studies and developments. Such a privilege only reserved for the Arch Mages was unprecedented, but the whispers from his scholarly tongue that slipped into his ears indicated he was on the verge of many breakthroughs on the study of the Aetherium. His team was well-motivated, equipped, and funded by both him and the Federation for what next wonders they may discover next. He was ultimately motivated by both discovery and money's own sake. Selfish, but not necessarily malicious beneath his enthusiasm, especially with the fact another check of 10 Billion Federation Credits is being signed onto his Team's budget as Thomas Sight gave his promissory notations to the Scientist who nestled almost as if the Laboratory became his second home back at New Albany. This new endeavor into the Federation's exploration to the Arcane is dubbed Project: Spellbook. Its objective the mass collection of all academic data and resources, whether human or material onto the Federation's own documentation drives for future exploitation and research. There is a sizable albeit damaged pre-existing library of Arcane Knowledge that Ladui Silverdane has the familiarity of that can form the basis of this new initiative. That is also complemented by the fact that they can pool the various captured student body and faculty of the College of Magi into the good doctor's disposal. At the moment, their earlier actions had deemed them to be prisoners of war by the UFEAF but with incentivization to avoid further reprisals could convince several them to join his fold and contribute to the Amelioration's own ends.

"Bring out the word to your former Collegiates Ladui Silverdane…" the Prince ordered.

It was his greatest hopes, that with this 'Shield' he could establish the incoming new Era of the Realm. The Ameliorator sank down on his chair, his eyes heavy with wear. Such hard work made exhausted him greatly offering little to no quarter for such a dream required Clovich to move many mountains to see its fruition. But if there was one thing that gave him strength, as he reached down on his pocket was a memento from his younger sister Aria, a necklace of her face and the preserved image and scent of her favorite flower to reinvigorate him.

"Prince Clovich?" Thomas Sight broke him from his stupor. "Will that be all?" he asked.

"Yes…" the Prince nodded. "Do it."

"Shall we take you to the Emperor's Bedchambers milord? You look drained." Ser Maghe noticed Clovich's sluggish posture as he stood up from his seat.

"N-no…" he softly refused… "Prepare my steed… the Arabian. I wish to return to my War Tent." The Palace's uncanny embrace suffocating him that he wished to not be inside this place no longer.

He had little to no plans to return to Uldin's former residence in the foreseeable future.

[-]

"Do you have'em?" Bobby Bianchin dropped and then smothered his roll of tobacco onto the soil as the Corpo emerged from the shadows as the midnight moon… or lack thereof shone its absent radiance onto a shadowy hillside off the now ruined walls of Haringpoint.

A Truck carrying a valuable new form of cargo for the Aparo Corporation is about to make contact with the Business Representative. The incoming vehicle was an RRAT Supply Truck commandeered by a squad of Mercenaries all paid twice their rates for the under-tabled assignment they have just accomplished. There were several noticeable expulsions of unnecessary machinery of the mechanized supply truck in order to make room for the precious cargo being delivered.

"Twenty Inert Pieces." The lead Silverback PMC disembarked from the RRAT.

His men behind began to unload the precious cargo, more exactly the containers consisting of twenty individual large black bags. Large enough to contain a treasure chest's worth of items but discreet enough that they could avoid suspicion when smuggled out under the noses of the UFE.

As much as their honor is to their alliance, Business is still business for Aparo Corporation. With this cargo, once delivered to its intended destination will be booming.

"Finally, you are late." Bobby frustratingly commented. "I hope you and your men did everything EXACTLY what I ordered you to do." The Corpo asked.

"It wasn't easy but my men managed." the contractor reassured him. "We ran into a few… delays but we scared them off by just puffing up alone."

"Merely common street trash, unfortunate but not unexpected." Bobby scoffed. "They can be nosy but they are hardly that much of a threat."

"Do you want peruse the merchandise beforehand?" the Mercenary gestured, returning the mood back to the marches of commerce.

They walked towards the black bags as the Corpo Representative gestured the PMC's to open several of the bags quietly.

The treasure wasn't gold, smuggled blocks of Unbinillium, nor Magical Artifacts. Neigh it was much more precious than just material items. Stolen straight from the noses of those Government Science Teams for their Project: Spellbook. They had to move fast to gain their own illicit share of the spoils before the opportunity escapes their grasp.

Bobby knelt down to one of the bags and placed his fingers around the 'merchandise's' collar and lo and behold to his profit-driven delight and just as the merc says he had; he felt a pulse beneath all of that inert muscles.

"Don't spend it all in one place. We will be in touch when we require more." Bobby smiled as he quietly handed over a small package of Credits hidden on his suit. Discreetly placing the money onto the Mercenary Leader's hands.

He then proceeded to gesture his personal men to start stacking the bags away onto the Aparo Cargo Trucks, outsourced logistics for the now-concluded Operation: Haymaker to haul them into their holds. By the time the Federation found these missing assets unaccounted for, they would be long gone away from the planet by then never to return. As he sees the merchandise be dragged into their fate, never to return, Bobby grabbed his smartphone and called these new product's end-user.

"Doctor Sforza? Your first batch is coming before the month's end. Bring that A-Game on with them Frankenstein shit. The Boss expects results by the year-end." Bobby announced.

[-]

Samantha was both well-pleased of the progress the Federation and Clovich's Amelioration had made in such a short period of time. Hearing everything from Aliathra and Karliah sent to Clovich's presence intrigued her greatly of the future ahead. They had taken the enemy's capital and have the leadership on the run and cut off from much of their precious supplies. However, with progression breeds new challenges for the Coalition's forces. There were the multiple matters that they will have to attend to soon such as the Imperial Remnants who fled north, the Elven Intervention Forces coming West to reinforce them and the matter of the relatively intact Imperial Colonies South of the mountains who still hold a sizeable opposition of repute to Prince Clovich's Claim to the Imperial Throne. It made her head fevered with thoughts of where she and her team will go next once they finish mopping up the last few bits and pieces in Haringpoint.

"Can't wait to get some R&R. Command's being generous letting us off back in New Albany for two days yeah?" Clay smiled excitedly. "What are you going to do brother?" he turned to his fellow African Kayin.

"Iris, well you know her. She and I are going to enjoy the town together. Lots of nice places opening up to go out on. Don't know what to choose." Kayin replied.

"Oh, you don't have to do all that hard work my dear…" Iris sultrily waved. "What of you?"

"I guess I will just go out and buy something nice to cook up… I don't know… something hearty… tasty and good for you I guess." Clay answered.

"You can stop by at my farm if you need anything. I sell lower than most Marts." Obediah proposed. "I am gonna be seein' April on my time off." Obediah proposed.

"That sounds great. Thanks." Clay nodded happily.

"How is April now if I may ask?" Aliathra inquired.

"Still quiet… but she is back to drawing with her crayons now so she's doing well. Will you be wanting to see her too?" Obediah asked.

"Oh no, I want to have the time for myself too." Aliathra declined.

"You know Alie, if you want you can go check out some of the new shops around New Albany with me. You always did say you wanted to 'Free Yourself'. I can fix you up with some nice threads, get your hair done and all… make you real nova." Diaz suggestively proposed.

"Look alive just a little longer Stryder!" Samantha reminded her subordinates. "Just need to… finish moving all of this stuff around before we can take the next Super Osprey back home."

There last assignment was the mass Confiscation of Academic Materials from the College of Magi for Dr. Mahelona. Needing to sort through the mess of ransacked and defiled books for anything of value with Karliah. Stryder evaluating each content was time consuming but ultimately a low-risk affair that Stryder was assigned before they could leave. They have to individually brisk through each book, scroll and letters for valuable materials specifically Sygilry Constructions, Somatic Techniques, Maps towards Unbinillium Deposits and Schematics detailing Arcane Aparatuses that will be archived by the Dr. Mahelona's Team. Unfortunately, most of the valuable items were either burnt off or whisked away by the fleeing Remnants yet Command wanted to make sure no stone was turned, being sure that they must have left something of value during their haste.

Diaz was perhaps the least amused of doing such a job, tossing the books carelessly away much to the Collegiate's chagrin. Crocker had no problem hauling most of the debris away thanks to his Exo-Suit. But the physical toil was perhaps the most bearing to Captain Rose herself. Her muscles, likely tired from all of the fighting she had undertaken this past week had weakened her body significantly. She could feel a fever slowly heating her body into a frigid deluge of strain that it didn't take long for her laggard poise to be noticed.

"Samantha… I think you should stop for now…" Karliah softly approached the Captain.

"No-No… I am okay." She denied her mercy. "I enjoy some of these books… its okay… I can manage." Samantha huffed as she opened the book to speedily examine its contents.

"You know… now my Grandfather running around and the Inquisition being no longer much of a problem anyome everything should be safer for me and other Vampires now. If you allow me, I could send a Letter to my fellow Vampires and see if they too would like to work together with you." Iris mentions.

"Yeah… do that." Sam smiled softly as she turned to the book she had in hand. Blowing off the dust accumulated, the air of its degraded venerability encapsulated the Captain's nose.

The Vaikuri alphabet, still a troublesome piece for her to read through, but she does know that a certain combination of characters written atop off its cover stated that this book's subject of focus is in indeed about Magicks. One peculiar trait of the Vaikuri Language is that the writing is read top-down then left to right, a bit akin to the peculiarities of East Asian Scripts.

Opening the book, Samantha skimmed through the pages, yawning heavily in boredom as virtually all of its contents was purely text without pictures. It was a strenuous read that could easily agitate someone who spirited of temperament as the Captain. She gripped her head, now throbbing with panging woe as she attempted to breathe in. But as she inhaled, her nose felt a watery and clogging sensation within her nostrils as if she had attempted to breathe under water. Probing her nose, Samantha realized to her fright that she had drawn blood. Her knees and head began to fell faint as she leaned over to the wall for support to catch her as she collapses into its embrace. An invisible fire radiated within her muscles as her body screamed in agony and her heartbeat became thunderous.

"Warning: Muscle Fatigue and Hypotension detected!" ISAC alarmed her. Red flashes blinked across her UI.

"I…I don't feel so well…" Samantha exhaustively respired as the color on her face drained to a sickly pale.

"Sam!" Aliathra exclaimed. Rushing towards her friend she began to lay her hands on her aching muscles.

"All ailments have been stabilized. Recommendation: Seek Medical Attention immediately." ISAC states.

"Fuck! It stings!" Samantha clamped herself. Her hand tightening itself onto the wall as the rest of Stryder converged to her.

The Elven Cleric silently went to work with her Restoration Magicks, gliding her hands across all the injured parts of Sam's body.

Over time, the Restoration Magicks of the Elf did their work, for the time being, Samantha's condition was alleviated albeit temporarily. Knowing by memory, the Redhead would need to go through a long rest before she could be back to her buoyant self, Restoration Magicks can do so much less of a good night of sleep.

"Can you walk it off Captain?" Crocker asked her.

"Yeah… I-I think…" Samantha exhaled. "What was that?! I felt like my body… was on fire and… I could hardly breathe." She complained.

"Your body is being languished from Overcast… But that's impossible!" Aliathra's eyes widened. "You hardly casted much Magicks for the past two days. Why suffer it's maladies now?" Her leaf-tipped ears twitch, perplexed by this sight.

"Gah!" Samantha gritted her teeth as cold sweat bathed her skin. Suddenly she could feel one of her calves tearing itself in half. Instinctively, she looked onto her Suit's Self-Diagnostic software to asses her body's situation.

"Damn… not looking good." Samantha cursed as she read the status report. "Muscle Atrophy… loss of… nutrients… I… I …" her voice trembled as her body shivered, each sensation likened to nails and hammers besieging her nerves with torturous intent.

"Hold on Samantha. I can Heal you!" Aliathra pressed herself forward, her Restoration Magicks at the ready once again.

Try as she might, however, the Elven Cleric scryed through Samantha's body only to find it in such disrepair that it was hard for her Magicks alone to keep up with all the damages that needed attention. Restoration Magicks had limits to its ability contrary to popular beliefs of its miraculous effects. It couldn't cure 'Afflictions of the Mind', Birth Defects, Advanced Terminal Conditions, or at one Healer's lonesome the severely Injured. Most often than not, it would take the ingesting of certain healing plants, tools, and time.

"Fucking hell! Someone get a Stretcher! We need to get the Captain out of here!" Crocker yelled.

[-]

The stable rhythm of the Heart Beat Monitor soothed the air underneath the New Albany Underground Laboratory as Samantha was given a nutritious meal to reboot her atrophied muscles back to life. Being rushed scarily back to the Federation's Headquarters whilst being backed by a full Support-Team of Scientists did have its perks for the young captain as she chowed down on truthfully made Grilled Chicken mixed in with various fibers, fruits and vegetables, or more specifically, a Taco Bowl. In attendance to her was Crocker, Dr. Mahelona and several more scientists who monitored her vitals by the Captain's side. An IV Thread attached to her left hand was hastily injected into her with reinvigorating Nano-fluids to combat her maladies. Above the Captain, Medical Drones glided around her bed, their Resonant-Ray Scanners feeding the uncensored picture of her body's overall conditions back to Dr. Mahelona.

"Doctor? Am I going to be okay?" Samantha asked them.

"Well Captain Rose, based on what the Medical Scanners found, you had suffered through Extreme Fatigue caused by overexertion from your most recent physical activity." Dr. Nora, one of David's Specialists in the field of Human Physiology went through the details as briefly as she can. "You already knew that your DNA was forcefully overridden to match 'Mage' DNA so that your body can accommodate doing all of your Magic powers. However, our recent Blood Testing shows that your body is straining itself to accommodate the radical change in the protein from your DNA mutation. This strain often occurs whenever you perform Magic." she added.

"Are you saying that whenever I do magic, I am damaging my body?" Samantha questioned.

"In a way yes Captain Rose." Dr. Mahelona raised his voice, standing up from his computer monitor to approach Samantha. "Whether you like it or not, you are not a 'Natural Born' Mage unlike everyone else you encounter. You became one rather than be born as one like all the rest."

"Your body is at a much higher risk of Mana Exhaustion and Overcasting as you have to use Thirty-Percent% more mana than normal mages to cast spells but thankfully, that is why you have the Hecate Suit with you which minimizes 45% of that risk. If it were not for Aliathra stabilizing your muscle pains before Captain Kaprelian Medevac'd you to us, you would have been in a much worse state." Dr. Nora gave her diagnosis.

"So, Doc… how can you fix me?" Sam asked. "Don't sugarcoat it."

"The short-term solution is using the Data I have collected of your recent performances so far; I will have to strip off the Hecate Suit off of you so I can have my engineers tune up all of the Arcane Meridians to improve the Suit's overall efficiency. But at best, the upgrade is going to only stretch you out by Ten-Percent my best estimates. The more permanent solution is to find a way to make your body adapt to all of the changes so that it doesn't kill you." Dr. Mahelona answered. "The Voice… it says you must 'endure' it… just… don't listen to me when I say it comes from it okay?"

"Noted." Samantha dismissed.

"We can replace the withered and at-risk parts on Captain Rose's body with Artificial Lace. Have Nanites weave some new bone and muscle fibers around them so that she can improve her strength and stamina." Dr. Nora suggested. "It should buy you more time until we can fully figure out how we can stop the harmful effects of DNA Overriding."

"Do it then… make it quick." The Captain immediately agreed. She fell down on her bed as she awaited Dr. Nora to perform the transplant.

"Surgery shouldn't take too long with all of the good stuff here. She should be back up within the day Sargeant." Dr. Mahelona turned to Lewis. "I do want to thank you personally of getting that Crystal Heart thing to my Laboratory. I knew it was hard for your squad but you managed to pull it off." He gave his gratitude.

"Don't mention it Doc." Crocker nodded. "Though, where is the Crystal Heart anyways?" He asked.

"In its own containment chamber inside the Lab. Gives some of my colleagues the creeps though… because it talks a lot." David commented as he switched the channel of his computer to a CCTV Feed of the aforementioned Containment Chamber.

The crystalline artifact sat inside a vacuum-sealed chamber attached with dozens of monitoring gizmos where an assigned Scientist is tasked to observe its every actions.

"Still though, with the Crystal now in our possession it won't take long to figure out its secrets. Already it has been telling me some interesting new tidbits like how we can make our own versions of the Resilient Sphere spell… but better!" David enthusiastically smiled.

"Well I want'ta be there when it happens a'righty then?" Crocker approved.

[-]

Wolfhounds howl into the night as darkness fell upon Ysanigrad that evening. They have scented blood and are now on the trail in pursuit. For it is Slaegian Blood the pack seeks to sate their thirst upon. But not Wolves of Fur, instead these were wolves whose bodies mask like the flesh and shade of trees. They were the 88th 'Wolfhound' Mountain Brigade, UFEAF Scout Rangers, the premiere Light Infantry Formation of their kind. Environments like Gliesia are the terrain these brave men excel in turning into their own personal hunting grounds. Armed with rifles and their own tenacity for surviving the harshest wilderness. Carving ahead off the main group, a squad of these 'Wolves' pressed forward across the forest hills, scouting out the pathways and dirt roads leading northward. They had traveled far from the foot when they were redeployed from Haringpoint tasked with reconnaissance and sabotage of enemy positions. It didn't take long for these Wolfhounds to spot their first target. A meaty outpost that had overlooked a tall hill by the main road where the Column they scout for is using. It was now time to get to work.

"This is Bronco-Three. Going dark." One of Rangers radioed.