Belaphorde ignored what was happening around him and looked out over the landscape. Destruction. Dirt. Trenches and skirmishes. His own hands were clean. He’d never been so well rested. His fingers twitched rhythmically. The combat suit and body armor were designed to expose his arms for Guiding. Over his heart was a badge with a large “G” and dash lines where his rank was supposed to be. He hated it. He hated how it branded him.

“No need to get nervous. This isn’t our first roadeo. We’ll get through this Dungeon without a hitch.” Vigo patted Belaphorde’s back to which Bel responded with a reassuring nod.

Kaigo returned with a bounce in his step. “We got the ‘ok’ to go. However, the area around the Gate isn’t secured so we will wait with team Xablé and head out together with them.”

“Alright. What’s the plan for - “ Vigo could not finish the sentence as a horrible ringing tone cut through the district. They all put up their hands to protect their ears. “What the devil is that noise?”

“A Screamer. One of the types of artifacts that the police use. We are far away enough that it’s only kinda annoying. It’s good at making people fuck the right off. It also confuses lower-level monsters but I’ve never seen it be used for that purpose.” Kaigo shrugged.

An officer walked up to them and led the group into a van where a team of Espers with the letters A and B printed on their badges sitting against the walls. Their faces lit up at the sight of Kaigo.

“What’s up, party people? Mind if we hitch a ride?”

“Kaigo! What’s up, my man? You don’t look all fucked up. I swear some days you were so caked I couldn’t tell you apart from the monsters!” A burly man with a goatee and the name Xablé written on his tag fist-bumped in greeting.

“You slimy bastard, why didn’t your ugly ass die during the last mission.”

He then looked over Belaphorde and whistled. “Look at that. Not every day a ‘big G’ gets to play with the big boys.” The man held Belaphorde’s badge between his finger and thumb like he was inspecting it. “The press sure won’t shut up about the ‘mystery husband’, you’d think it was the president's new wife the way they talk about you.” He then turned to Kaigo with a mocking grin. “Are you sure it’s a good idea to bring your man-whore along?” Xablé laughed with his companions.

Vigo was ready to punch Xablé’s lights out when Belaphorde stepped forward and touched Xablés neck. The man kept his cocky grin, knowing fully well that a guide couldn’t physically do anything to him. Then he felt all his energy evaporate. He became sleepy. It was hard to breathe. He could not find the energy to speak and flailed in panic.

“Sir, are you alright? You were so eloquent a moment ago. Is my presence somehow offensive to you?" Belaphorde spoke with his usual formality. His gaze was wild as he watched the Esper wither in his grasp.

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Xablés companions stopped laughing and one stood up to push Bel away but found their energy drained the moment they made contact, coughing for air on the floor.

“What the fuck, stop it!” Another rushed up to help their friend.

“Belaphorde?” Vigo tried to remain collected but sounded more scared than he intended.

“Oh.” Belaphorde let go of the Esper. “I apologize if you thought my behavior was rude. It appears my attempt at humor was in bad taste.”

Xablé stumbled backward and caught his breath. “The fuck did you do to me, faggot?!” His fists glowed with golden light. “You are dead meat.”

A flash of blue and Vigo was holding down Xablés hand. “Hold your horses, cowboy. Don’t make this worse.”

Xablé huffed with indignation as his companions talked him down. There was a banging on the door and a call to strap in.

“Don’t think I’ll forget this,” Xablé growled and glared at Bel through the short trip.

“As you say, sir.”

Kaigo silently watched with glee. He loved whatever this development with Belaphorde was. This bloodthirsty prude was turning him on a little.

“Attention!” The speakers crackled inside of the van as a clear female voice spoke. “All agents please put on your body cameras and consume any prescribed enhancers. On arrival agent Xablé is assigned scouting duty. Agent Karsten and Dolores are assigned Gate duty. The remaining personnel remain on standby. Be warned for continued Screamer presence. Await further instructions. Tactics over and out.”

The Espers reached into their pockets to pop blister packs with pills. Vigo fumbled with his pack as the car jumped violently, the sudden movement made him hit his nose with his hand and drop the packet. As it fell Belaphorde kicked the plastic packet with his knee and caught it.

“Here you go. Please be more careful, sir.”

“Thank you, son.” Vigos smiled and motioned with the pill packet like it was a shot glass before downing its contents. Vigo had made it clear that he wanted to be ready to fight as an Esper. He had pushed through every test and had gotten a selection of enhancer drugs prescribed in case he was called to a mission. Espers working with the Guardian Guild enjoyed several perks from their employer, including these drugs that were designed to give the nutrients, energy, and focus needed for extended battles. Belaphorde had stayed away from any tests, medical or otherwise; and so only had a selection of generic energy and hydration packs stashed in his suit.

Xablé muttered something about “senile grandpa” but quickly shut his mouth after receiving a quick glare from Belaphorde.

Once they arrived the door opened to reveal the blinding light of the Gate. Xablé and two of his squadmates dashed into the light. They had made it early enough that no monsters had yet gone outside the Gate.

Agent Karsten popped back out and into the van to give his report. Since communication was impossible between those outside and inside the gate it meant that scouting was highly dangerous and keeping agents going in and out of the Gate a necessity. Karsten pulled a cord from a panel on the van and connected it to his bodycam. Images played on the walls of a maze with white sandy floors and frosted sandstone walls as the Esper spoke.

“Energy levels stable. Low levels of drag -”

“That means the pressure that a boss monster keeps around that makes it hard for Espers and monsters to move,” Kaigo whispered to his companions.

“- dungeon type large on the basis of no imminent signs of the boss. Temperatures at negative one degree Celsius.” The Esper went on and described each detail he could think of from his quick dive in and out of the dungeon when a bolt of thunder crackled over the sky and hit the van. Vigo jumped in his seat and Belaphorde bit his tongue in surprise. The lightning crackled and left a sulfuric smell in the air but all passengers and equipment remained unharmed.

“Attention!” The voice from before went through the speakers. “Hostiles are nearing the gate. The Screamer will resume active patrol in twenty seconds. All agents besides Karsten and Driver are to retreat into the dungeon. I repeat all agents enter the dungeon Karsten and Driver immediately put on the protective headgear found in the roof compartments over the front seats.”

“Never a dull moment. Let’s ride, cowboys.” Vigo stood up and was gone in a flash. Belaphorde grunted with annoyance at his swollen tongue and was ready to book it when Kaigo grabbed his hand, winked, and had the two jump through the Gate together.